IELTS Reading Practice: Building Self-Esteem in Children

Welcome to our IELTS Reading practice session focused on the topic of “How to build self-esteem in children.” This subject has been increasingly prevalent in IELTS Reading tests over the past few years, reflecting its importance in modern parenting and education. As an experienced IELTS instructor, I can confidently say that understanding this topic will not only help you in your exam but also provide valuable insights into child psychology and development.

The IELTS Reading section requires you to demonstrate your ability to understand complex texts, identify key information, and answer various question types accurately within a limited time frame. Today, we’ll practice these skills using a passage about building self-esteem in children, a topic that has appeared in several past IELTS exams and is likely to feature again due to its ongoing relevance.

Let’s dive into our practice material, which is designed to closely resemble the format and difficulty level of an actual IELTS Reading test.

Reading Passage

Nurturing Self-Esteem in Young Minds

A. Self-esteem, the cornerstone of a child’s emotional well-being, has become a focal point for parents and educators alike. It’s not just about feeling good; high self-esteem is linked to better academic performance, healthier relationships, and increased resilience in the face of life’s challenges. But how can we effectively build and maintain a child’s self-esteem in today’s complex world?

B. One key strategy is to provide specific, genuine praise. Instead of generic compliments, focus on acknowledging effort and progress. For example, rather than saying “Good job!” try “I noticed how hard you worked on that math problem. Your persistence really paid off!” This approach not only boosts self-esteem but also reinforces the value of effort and perseverance.

C. Creating opportunities for success is another crucial element. Set achievable goals that push children slightly out of their comfort zone. This could involve introducing new activities or breaking down larger tasks into manageable steps. Each small victory builds confidence and motivates children to take on new challenges.

D. Encouraging independence plays a vital role in self-esteem development. Allow children to make age-appropriate decisions and solve problems on their own. This might mean letting them choose their outfit for school or figure out how to complete a puzzle without immediate assistance. Such experiences foster a sense of autonomy and competence.

E. It’s equally important to teach children how to handle failure and criticism constructively. Help them understand that mistakes are a natural part of learning and growth. Encourage them to view setbacks as opportunities for improvement rather than indicators of personal worth. This resilience is a key component of healthy self-esteem.

F. The power of positive self-talk should not be underestimated. Teach children to recognize and challenge negative thoughts about themselves. Encourage them to replace self-defeating statements with more balanced, realistic ones. For instance, help them transform “I’m no good at math” into “Math is challenging, but I’m improving with practice.”

G. Physical activity and creative pursuits can significantly boost self-esteem. Engaging in sports, dance, art, or music provides children with avenues for self-expression and skill development. These activities often lead to a sense of accomplishment and improved body image, both of which contribute to higher self-esteem.

H. Lastly, fostering strong, supportive relationships is crucial. Encourage children to build positive connections with peers, family members, and mentors. These relationships provide emotional support, validation, and opportunities for social skill development, all of which are essential for healthy self-esteem.

I. Building self-esteem in children is an ongoing process that requires patience, consistency, and a multifaceted approach. By implementing these strategies, parents and educators can help children develop a strong sense of self-worth that will serve them well throughout their lives. Remember, the goal is not to create an inflated sense of self, but rather a realistic, positive self-image that allows children to navigate life’s ups and downs with confidence and resilience.

Building self-esteem in children

Questions

True/False/Not Given

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading passage?

Write:

• TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
• FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
• NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1. High self-esteem in children is associated with better academic outcomes.
2. Generic compliments are more effective than specific praise in building self-esteem.
3. Children should always be protected from failure to maintain their self-esteem.
4. Physical activities contribute more to self-esteem than creative pursuits.
5. The ultimate goal is to create an inflated sense of self in children.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

6. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as a strategy for building self-esteem?
   A) Providing specific praise
   B) Setting achievable goals
   C) Encouraging independence
   D) Rewarding children with material gifts

7. The passage suggests that children should be taught to view setbacks as:
   A) Indicators of personal worth
   B) Reasons to give up
   C) Opportunities for improvement
   D) Unavoidable failures

Matching Headings

Match the following headings to the correct paragraphs in the passage. Write the correct letter, A-I, next to numbers 8-12.

8. Paragraph B
9. Paragraph D
10. Paragraph F
11. Paragraph G
12. Paragraph H

List of Headings:
A) The importance of physical and creative activities
B) Handling criticism and failure
C) The power of specific praise
D) Building supportive relationships
E) Setting achievable goals
F) Encouraging decision-making skills
G) The role of positive self-talk
H) Teaching time management
I) The impact of media on self-esteem

Summary Completion

Complete the summary below using words from the box.

genuine	inflated	resilience	self-defeating	supportive
autonomy	confidence	independence	perseverance	self-worth

Building self-esteem in children involves various strategies. Providing 13)____ praise that acknowledges effort and progress is crucial. Creating opportunities for success by setting achievable goals helps build 14)____. Encouraging 15)____ allows children to develop a sense of competence. Teaching children to handle failure and criticism constructively builds 16)____. Positive self-talk is important, replacing 17)____ statements with more balanced ones. Physical and creative activities boost self-esteem, as do strong, 18)____ relationships. The ultimate goal is to develop a realistic sense of 19)____, not an 20)____ sense of self.

Answer Key and Explanations

1. TRUE
   Explanation: The passage states, “high self-esteem is linked to better academic performance.”

2. FALSE
   Explanation: The passage recommends “specific, genuine praise” over “generic compliments.”

3. FALSE
   Explanation: The passage suggests teaching children “how to handle failure and criticism constructively.”

4. NOT GIVEN
   Explanation: The passage mentions both physical and creative activities as beneficial, but does not compare their effectiveness.

5. FALSE
   Explanation: The final paragraph states, “the goal is not to create an inflated sense of self.”

6. D
   Explanation: Rewarding children with material gifts is not mentioned in the passage as a strategy for building self-esteem.

7. C
   Explanation: The passage states, “Encourage them to view setbacks as opportunities for improvement.”

8. C
   Explanation: Paragraph B discusses the importance of providing specific praise.

9. F
   Explanation: Paragraph D focuses on encouraging independence and decision-making skills.

10. G
    Explanation: Paragraph F discusses the power of positive self-talk.

11. A
    Explanation: Paragraph G mentions the importance of physical and creative activities.

12. D
    Explanation: Paragraph H discusses the importance of fostering strong, supportive relationships.

13. genuine

14. confidence

15. independence

16. resilience

17. self-defeating

18. supportive

19. self-worth

20. inflated

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Misinterpreting “Not Given” answers: Remember, if the information is not explicitly stated in the passage, even if it seems logical, the answer is “Not Given.”

2. Overlooking specific details: In questions like the Multiple Choice, pay attention to subtle differences in the options.

3. Rushing through the Matching Headings: Take time to understand the main idea of each paragraph before matching it with a heading.

4. Using words not in the given box for Summary Completion: Only use the words provided in the box, even if other words seem to fit.

Vocabulary Focus

• Cornerstone: /ˈkɔːnəstəʊn/ (noun) – a fundamental or essential part
• Resilience: /rɪˈzɪliəns/ (noun) – the ability to recover quickly from difficulties
• Perseverance: /ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪərəns/ (noun) – persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success
• Autonomy: /ɔːˈtɒnəmi/ (noun) – the right or condition of self-government
• Self-defeating: /ˌselfdiˈfiːtɪŋ/ (adjective) – counterproductive; harmful to oneself

Grammar Focus

Pay attention to the use of conditional sentences in the passage, such as:

“This could involve introducing new activities or breaking down larger tasks into manageable steps.”

This is an example of a zero conditional, used to describe general truths or scientific facts. The structure is:
If/When + present simple, present simple

Practice using this structure in your own sentences related to building self-esteem in children.

Tips for IELTS Reading Success

1. Time management is crucial. Allocate your time wisely across all three passages in the IELTS Reading test.

2. Skim the passage quickly before answering questions to get a general idea of its content and structure.

3. For True/False/Not Given questions, be wary of making assumptions. Stick strictly to the information provided in the text.

4. In Multiple Choice questions, eliminate obviously incorrect answers to increase your chances of selecting the correct option.

5. For Matching Headings, focus on the main idea of each paragraph rather than specific details.

6. In Summary Completion tasks, read the entire summary before filling in the blanks to understand the context better.

7. Practice regularly with various IELTS Reading question types to improve your speed and accuracy.

Remember, building your reading skills takes time and consistent practice. Focus on expanding your vocabulary, improving your reading speed, and developing your ability to identify key information quickly. With dedication and the right strategies, you can significantly enhance your performance in the IELTS Reading section.

For more IELTS preparation resources and tips, check out our articles on the importance of building self-esteem in children and how to teach children about the value of hard work. These topics are not only relevant for your IELTS preparation but also provide valuable insights into child development and education.