2.2. Explain how to support children and young people to identify with their own self-image and identity

This guide will help you answer 2.2. Explain how to support children and young people to identify with their own self-image and identity.

Self-image and identity are formed from a mix of personal experiences, family values, cultural background, and social influences. As someone working in the children and young people’s workforce, understanding how to support this process is important for their emotional health and development. A positive sense of self is linked to confidence, resilience, and the ability to form healthy relationships.

Supporting children and young people to explore who they are helps them feel secure and valued. It requires sensitivity, patience, and consistent encouragement.

What is Self-Image and Identity?

Self-image refers to how a person sees themselves. This includes their physical appearance, abilities, personality traits, and how they believe other people view them. Identity is broader and includes aspects such as heritage, culture, language, religion, gender, and beliefs.

Both self-image and identity are shaped over time. They can be influenced by family, peers, teachers, media, and life events. Young people may change their ideas about themselves as they learn and experience new things. During adolescence, this is often an active stage, with more questioning and experimenting.

When supporting children and young people, it is important to recognise that their identity belongs to them. We can guide and encourage but not impose our own views.

Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment

Children develop self-image and identity best when they feel safe emotionally and physically. They need spaces where they are respected and can express themselves without fear of judgement.

Ways to create this environment include:

• Listening without interrupting
• Showing interest in their views
• Responding calmly even when opinions differ
• Providing opportunities for them to try new activities
• Encouraging peer-to-peer respect

When they trust adults, they are more willing to share personal thoughts about themselves.

Encouraging Self-Expression

Self-expression helps a child discover who they are and how they wish to be seen. Providing ways for them to express themselves supports a strong identity.

Practical ideas include:

• Art projects that allow free choice in design or subject
• Storytelling or poetry to voice personal feelings
• Drama or role-play activities
• Music and dance related to their tastes or cultural background
• Clothing choices within appropriate boundaries

Being able to explore different forms of self-expression means their talents and preferences can develop naturally.

Valuing Individual Differences

Recognising and celebrating differences strengthens self-image. Show interest in each child’s personal story and background. In settings with diverse groups, make sure everyone’s heritage, language and traditions are visible and respected.

Ways to do this:

• Include books, music and images from various cultures
• Learn greetings or phrases in a child’s first language
• Invite families to share customs or celebrations
• Give time for each child to share something important about themselves

This approach can help them feel valued and respected for who they are.

Positive Role Models

Children often look at adults and peers to help form ideas about themselves. Being a positive role model means demonstrating respect, honesty, and kindness. It also means showing healthy self-esteem in your own behaviour.

When young people see confidence combined with empathy, they learn that both qualities can exist together. Encourage them to look at different people from various backgrounds who have achieved goals or contributed positively to their communities.

Challenging Negative Influences

Negative comments, stereotypes, and unrealistic media images can damage self-image. Be aware of what children are exposed to through television, social media, or peer pressure. Talk openly about these influences and help them question harmful messages.

Practical strategies:

• Discuss why certain images or messages are unrealistic
• Highlight achievements beyond physical appearance
• Support them to recognise their own strengths
• Correct inaccurate information about culture, gender, or ability

Provide clear and honest answers to their questions to help them sort fact from opinion.

Building Confidence Through Achievement

Children gain self-esteem through success. Set achievable goals and praise effort, not just results. Breaking tasks into small steps helps them recognise their progress.

Examples:

• Completing a project at school
• Learning a new skill such as swimming or cooking
• Helping others in the group
• Remembering a new song or story

When achievements are noticed and appreciated, their self-image improves.

Encouraging Reflection

Reflection means thinking about experiences and feelings to understand them better. Support the child to reflect on what makes them feel proud, what they enjoy, and what matters most to them. This builds self-awareness, which is an important part of identity.

You can encourage reflection by:

• Asking open questions like “What did you enjoy most today?”
• Helping them notice their strengths
• Encouraging them to talk about feelings after events
• Using journals or diaries to record thoughts

Reflection should be positive and non-judgemental.

Respecting Cultural Identity

Every child has roots in a culture, whether strongly visible or subtle. Cultural identity includes traditions, beliefs, and shared history. Show respect and interest in a child’s culture, even if it is different from the majority in your setting.

This can involve:

• Incorporating cultural festivals into activities
• Displaying materials that represent their heritage
• Learning about traditional foods, music, or stories
• Greeting them in a culturally appropriate way

This recognition helps them feel that their background matters and can be celebrated.

Supporting Gender Identity

Children and young people should feel safe exploring gender identity without fear of ridicule or discrimination. Respect for their choices and feelings is important for emotional wellbeing.

Ways to support include:

• Listening openly to their experiences
• Avoiding stereotypes about what boys or girls “should do”
• Providing a range of toys and activities without gender limits
• Using inclusive language

Make sure colleagues understand the importance of supporting all aspects of identity equally.

Encouraging Participation in Decision-Making

Having a say in decisions that affect them promotes independence and self-worth. This might relate to activities, rules in the setting, or personal goals.

Provide clear choices and explain the outcomes of each choice. Respect their decisions where safe and appropriate. If something is not possible, explain why in a way that keeps their dignity intact.

Participation is a strong way to show that their opinions matter.

Building Resilience

Resilience means being able to recover from setbacks. A strong self-image helps children face challenges with confidence. Support resilience by:

• Helping them set realistic expectations
• Encouraging problem-solving skills
• Offering support without taking over
• Praising effort after difficulties

Over time, they will see themselves as capable of handling change and challenges.

Working with Families

Families play a large role in shaping identity. Keep communication open with parents and carers. Share observations and ask for their views. Consistent messages between home and your setting help the child feel stable.

Some families may need guidance on how to build positive self-image. Provide resources or examples that show the benefits of encouragement and respect.

Monitoring and Responding to Changes

Self-image and identity can shift during childhood and adolescence. Monitor changes in behaviour or mood that might signal a struggle with self-image. Respond promptly by talking to the child, offering support, and if needed, involving other professionals such as counsellors.

Changes to look for include:

• Withdrawal from friends or activities
• Negative self-talk
• Sudden changes in appearance or habits
• Signs of anxiety or low mood

Support should be calm and consistent.

Using Play to Support Identity

Play is a natural way for children to explore who they are. In play, they can act out different roles, test boundaries, and interact with peers. Provide open-ended play materials, such as costumes, building blocks, and art tools, that allow freedom of choice.

Play can show talents and preferences that shape self-image. Observing play gives insights into how they see themselves and their relationships.

Language and Communication

The way adults talk to children shapes how they think about themselves. Use positive and respectful language. Avoid labels that can stick and influence self-image, such as “lazy” or “shy”. Instead, describe behaviours and highlight strengths.

Encourage them to express ideas in their own words. This supports identity by validating their voice.

Supporting Identity in Adolescence

Teenagers often explore identity more deeply. They may experiment with appearance, beliefs, or friendships. Be patient and respect these changes as part of growing up. Offer guidance when they ask, without forcing them to follow your views.

Adolescents often value peer approval highly. Ensure they have opportunities to meet and spend time with peers who share similar interests but also help them see the value of diversity.

Final Thoughts

Helping children and young people identify with their own self-image and identity requires constant attention to their individual needs and circumstances. It involves listening carefully, respecting differences, and creating spaces where they feel valued and safe. Every interaction is an opportunity to affirm their worth.

When the support is consistent, children and young people are more likely to grow into confident individuals who understand and appreciate themselves. This not only benefits them as they face challenges but also shapes their ability to build healthy relationships and contribute positively to their communities.