Questions: Ask Dr. Katz

Archive: Question 8

Dr. Katz
Thank you for your welcome inquiry about the "Child of the Week" ritual. While I am not aware of any research that directly addresses the benefits or effects of this old practice, I most certainly would not recommend it for a variety of reasons. First, I think there are surely more interesting and beneficial activities for young children to engage in. Second, so many teachers of young children share their frustration over how little time they have for play, outdoor activities, and music, as well as project work. So, the ritualistic activities like "Child of the Week" and the calendar, which consume classroom time, can easily be skipped in the early years.

Web Resources

• How Can We Strengthen Children's Self-Esteem?
  A child's sense of self-worth is more likely to deepen when adults respond to the child's interests and efforts with appreciation rather than just praise.
  http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content2/strengthen_children_self.html  
• Distinctions between Self-Esteem and Narcissism: Implications for Practice
  Many schools feature posters listing the Citizen of the Week, Person of the Week, Super Spellers, Handwriting Honors, and similar displays that often seem to encourage showing off. 
  http://ceep.crc.uiuc.edu/eecearchive/books/selfe.html
• Self-Esteem and Children
  Show appreciation when children cooperate, help you, say kind things to other children, obey the rules, and do other positive things.
  http://www.nncc.org/Guidance/self.esteem.html  
• Understanding Children: Self-Esteem
  Self-esteem is tied significantly with learning new skills.
  http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1529H.pdf
• Thoughtful Teaching: Developmentally Appropriate Practice
  Build a caring community of learners where all children, staff, and family members are valued and included, and where supportive relationships are developed.
  http://www.ccids.umaine.edu/ec/growingideas/daptip.htm

IEL Tip Sheets

• Children’s Social Competence Checklist
  http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/checklist.htm
• Encouraging Words
  http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/encouragingwords.htm