Developing Positive Self-Images and Discipline in Black Children

Developing positive self-images and self-discipline is a prerequisite for the effective education of African American children. The following factors have had a negative influence on their development:(1) chronic unemployment and underemployment;(2) the changing concept of childhood;(3) elitism;(4) low expectations;(5) lack of commitment to educating all children;(6) misuse of achievement tests to label and place students.The following institutions should strive to emphasize African images that are instrumental in developing self-esteem in African American children:(1) the home;(2) the peer group;(3) television;(4) the school;(5) the church.The following are major hindrances to the education of African American children:(1) the banking approach;(2) the certainty principle;(3) grades;(4) rote learning;(5) the word approach to reading.An effective curriculum must acknowledge that African American children have a higher verve, are relational in their thought processes, and are more oral in cognition than Whites. Developing self-discipline requires adult consistency and positive reinforcement of good behavior. Parents are the first and primary educators, and the parent-child relationship is the key to supplemental nurturance and high expectations. Each of six chapters includes a list of suggested questions, exercises, and projects. A list of 88 references is appended. "What is the relationship between self-esteem and student achievement? Find the answers to this and other questions in this book." -- Provided by publisher The relationship between self-esteem and student achievement is analyzed in this book.