Developing Children’s Self Esteem Through Thinking Skills in a Supportive Group Setting by Caroline Mann. September 1995.
This dissertation is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of degree of Master of Education of the University of Bristol
SYNOPSIS
Education now realises that self esteem is of central importance to children's success in schools and for future job opportunities. It has come to be seen as a more accurate determinant of academic success than intelligence itself. How a child evaluates himself will be crucial in moulding his behaviour, thoughts and aspirations.
There is a growing body of opinion within education that Thinking Skills should form part of the National Curriculum. Businesses are proclaiming that schools are not equipping students with the necessary cognitive tools to survive in a workplace that is changing at an alarming rate. It is more important to know how to learn and be adaptable to changing circumstances than it is to know the key facts of a subject.
In a review of the extensive literature in both areas it would seem there are no overt connections between thinking skills and self esteem. My hypothesis proposed that a course in thinking skills - namely Instrumental Enrichment – could enhance children's self esteem if carried out within a supportive group setting. Thinking skills can correct cognitive deficiencies and develop independent autonomous, active thinkers. The ensuing feelings of competence and control can reshape their perception of themselves and develop a positive self esteem.
In order to evaluate this theory I carried out a small scale qualitative research study with 14-15 year old students in a comprehensive school over a period of ten weeks.
My findings were based on the results of the LAWSEQ Questionnaire; teachers’ reports; semi-structured interviews and my own observations. The findings gave substantial weight to my hypothesis and highlighted several important practical and theoretical implications which need to be acted on immediately. They also point the way for further research studies.
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