Discipline

Another important factor contributing to a child's self esteem is discipline.  Discipline can be described as any instruction or training that corrects or molds a person's mental faculties and moral character.  Children raised without discipline have lower self esteem and tend to be more dependent, achieve less, and feel that they have less control over their world.  Proper discipline can be the means of creating a safe, supportive environment where learning can take place.  Discipline begins with a good relationship between the parent and the child, in which the child knows exactly what is expected of him, and knows the consequences of misbehaving are reasonable and predictable.  Children need and want to know what is expected of them.  They thrive on the image of themselves achieving that expectation.  They anticipate the approval they will receive.  It is this expectation and approval that motivates a child to learn to read or learn multiplication tables.  Not only does approval motivate a child, it also gives him something to take along with him: A sense of being worthy.