What is self-esteem?

Self-esteem is like having a happy inside voice that says you're good just as you are.

Imagine you have a favorite toy, maybe it’s a teddy bear or a soccer ball. When you play with it, you feel proud and happy because you know you can make it move or make it laugh. That feeling of being proud and happy is like self-esteem, it's how you feel about yourself inside.

• Good things happen: When you do something well, like tying your shoes or drawing a picture, your self-esteem gives you a warm, proud smile.
• Bad things happen too: Sometimes you might trip or spill juice, and that can make your self-esteem feel a little sad. But it's okay, just like how you fix your shoes after tripping, you can feel better again.

Think of your self-esteem as the friend who cheers for you when you're trying something new. They don’t shout "You’re perfect!" but they do say things like, "I believe in you" or "That was great!"

So every time you try, you're giving your inner cheerleader a high five, and that makes your self-esteem feel strong and happy.