Tag Archive for: Ashley Lingafelter

Building Self-Esteem in Children: A Foundation for Lifelong Success

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By Ashley Lingafelter, MSW, LSW – July 1, 2026 –

Research indicates that nearly 40% of children experience feelings of inadequacy, which can severely hinder their emotional and social development. These statistics underline an alarming reality: low self-esteem in children is linked to a host of negative outcomes, including poor academic performance, mental health issues, and difficulties forming healthy relationships.

However, children with positive self-esteem are more likely to embrace challenges, engage in social settings, and develop resilience. As such, fostering self-esteem in children is not a mere parental preference; it is an essential investment in their future.

Positive self-esteem serves as the foundation for children’s identities. It allows them to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and fosters a sense of belonging, acceptance, and security. Children who see themselves positively are more likely to engage in behaviors that promote growth, such as trying out for a school play or joining a sports team. Self-esteem also becomes a protective factor that shields children from the adverse effects of peer pressure and bullying, ultimately leading to healthier emotional regulation and mental well-being.

Self-esteem in children emerges at an early age and is influenced by various factors, including family dynamics, social interactions, and individual experiences. As children grow, they internalize feedback from their environment, particularly from their parents and caregivers. Therefore, the role of parents in nurturing self-esteem cannot be overlooked. It is a delicate balance of offering support while allowing children to learn and grow independently. Parents who emphasize their children’s strengths, celebrate their achievements, and provide constructive feedback create an environment conducive to healthy self-esteem development.

To aid in building a child’s self-esteem, parents can adopt several effective strategies:

1. Encourage Open Communication: Parents should create a safe space for children to express their thoughts and feelings. Encouraging open dialogue fosters emotional intelligence and helps children articulate their concerns.

2. Promote Independence: Allowing children to make choices fosters a sense of autonomy. Even small decisions, like selecting their outfit for the day or choosing an afternoon activity, can empower children and enhance their confidence.

3. Celebrate Efforts, Not Just Results: Parents should recognize the effort their children put into tasks, not just the outcome. This approach instills a growth mindset, teaching children that persistence is valuable even in the face of setbacks.

4. Set Realistic Expectations: While it is natural for parents to want their children to succeed, setting unattainable expectations can lead to feelings of inadequacy. It is crucial to set goals that are challenging yet achievable, allowing children to feel a sense of accomplishment.

5. Model Positive Self-Talk: This is arguably the most important and impactful tip. Children learn by observing adults. Parents should exemplify healthy self-esteem by practicing positive self-talk and demonstrating self-compassion in the face of their own challenges.

In conclusion, nurturing self-esteem is fundamental to a child’s emotional, social, and academic development. By recognizing the significance of their role, parents can utilize practical strategies that empower their children, laying the groundwork for a confident and resilient adult life. Building self-esteem is an investment in a child’s future—one that can lead to lifelong happiness and success.

Ashley Lingafelter, MSW, LSW, is a Youth First Mental Health Professional at North Elementary School in Posey County. Youth First, Inc., is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening youth and families. Youth First provides over 100 highly trained mental health professionals (primarily master’s level social workers), prevention programs, parent engagement coordinators, and bilingual support personnel to 130 schools across 14 Indiana counties. Over 55,000 youth and families each year are served by Youth First’s school-based social work and community programs that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and maximize student success. To learn more about Youth First, visit youthfirstinc.org or call 812-421-8336.

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The Power of Empathy

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By Ashley Lingafelter, MSW, LSW – September 11, 2024 –

In a fast-paced and technology driven world, empathy remains an essential quality that promotes genuine human connection and understanding. Empathy is the capacity to put oneself in another person’s shoes, recognizing and understanding their emotions, experiences, and perspective.

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person is what makes us unique and compassionate beings. It plays a pivotal role in fostering healthy relationships, resolving conflicts, and promoting a more compassionate society.

Psychologists have identified three components of empathy: cognitive, emotional, and compassionate. Cognitive empathy involves understanding another person’s thoughts and emotions, even if one does not personally experience them. It requires active listening, open-mindedness, and a willingness to consider different perspectives.

Emotional empathy refers to feeling the same emotion as another person, often leading to a sense of shared experience and resonance with their feelings. It enables individuals to offer comfort and support while validating the other person’s emotions.

Lastly there is compassionate empathy, which combines cognitive and emotional empathy, compelling individuals to take action to alleviate others’ suffering. It fuels acts of kindness, selflessness, and social advocacy.

Empathy has far-reaching benefits on both an individual and societal level. Here are a few key reasons why empathy is essential:

1. Building Stronger Relationships: Empathy forms the cornerstone of strong interpersonal connections. By actively listening and understanding others, we can gain trust, foster teamwork, and create meaningful relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.

2. Conflict Resolution: Empathy helps resolve conflicts by providing a deeper understanding of others’ perspectives. It encourages constructive dialogue and problem-solving.

3. Enhancing Emotional Intelligence: Empathy is closely linked to emotional intelligence, which involves recognizing, understanding, and managing emotions.

4. Fostering Inclusivity and Tolerance: Empathy allows us to embrace diversity and appreciate different cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds. It promotes a sense of inclusivity, tolerance, and respect for individual differences by dismantling stereotypes and biases.

5. Creating Social Change: Empathy fuels acts of kindness and compassion, inspiring individuals to make a positive difference in society. It drives philanthropy, volunteering, and social activism, paving the way for a more equitable and empathetic world.

So how do we become more empathetic and how do we teach our children to be empathetic? Empathy is a skill that can be nurtured and developed. Pay attention to others’ words, body language, and emotions. Practice active listening by being fully present in conversations and showing genuine interest.

Try to understand situations from others’ viewpoints, considering their beliefs, values, and experiences. This promotes empathy and helps bridge the gap between different perspectives. We can read more diverse narratives and stories and watch more diverse movies. Doing so will broaden our understanding of others’ experiences and help us cultivate empathy. We also need to practice more self-reflection. We need to make sure we are aware of our own biases, assumptions, and experiences to be able to approach others with an open mind.

Empathy is a powerful force that promotes understanding, strengthens relationships, and fosters social change. It is an essential skill that can be developed through active listening, perspective-taking, and self-reflection. Let us embrace empathy to bridge divides, build connections, and make the world a little brighter for one another.

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