by Sarah Chase Webber, Online Counseling Program
In the age of social media and mixed-messages about how girls are supposed to look, act and learn, girls can face significant self-esteem issues during adolescence—a crucial period for forming and developing one’s identity External link , according to the Child Mind Institute.
Even within the few years of adolescence, messaging and appropriate strategies can vary widely depending on girls’ ages.
View the available resources that are geared toward unique age groups using the links below:
Self-Esteem Resources for Young Girls (Ages 5–11)
Self-Esteem Resources for Teen Girls (Ages 12–18)
Self-Esteem Resources for Adults Who Work With Girls
The following resources are for informational purposes only; individuals should consult with a clinician before making decisions about mental health.
Self Esteem Resources for Young Girls
(Ages 5–11)
Web Pages
Self-Esteem Worksheets for Children External link , Therapist Aid: series of worksheets with prompts for gratitude, self-esteem and other feelings for counselors to use with young clients.
Free Self-Esteem Resources For Kids External link , Kiddie Matters: worksheets about self-love and personal boundaries created by Yanique S. Chambers, LCSW, for counselors to use with young clients.
Encouraging Children To Have Healthy Self-Esteem External link , Mosswood Connections: activities and mantras that build confidence and promote positive self-image for kids.
Building Your Child’s Self-Esteem External link , Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh: tips for parents of young children for encouraging positive identity development and independence.
How to Empower Young Girls and Build Confidence External link , Special Ed Resource: ideas and resources about confidence-building for girls with special needs.
5 Important Ways to Help Build Self-Esteem In Girls External link Your Teen Magazine: ideas for teaching young girls about self-love and how to express it.
How to Build Positive Self-Esteem External link Understood: slideshow of quick tips for teaching children about self-esteem, including deep dives and next steps for identity development and growth.
Books
Being Me: A Kid’s Guide to Boosting Confidence and Self-Esteem External link by Wendy L. Moss, PhD: guided book for kids to explore their strengths and identities.
I Am Enough External link by Grace Byers: illustrated story about “loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another.”
Curlee Girlee External link by Atara Twersky: illustrated story about a young girl who learns to accept and love the way she looks.
Books for Smart, Confident, and Courageous Girls External link A Mighty Girl: catalog of books for girls organized by genre, age and price.
I Like Myself! External link by Karen Beaumont: illustrated, rhyming story of a young girl who encourages kids to appreciate themselves.
Becoming Me: A Work in Progress by Andrea Pippins External link : interactive journal for girls to creatively visualize and explore their identities.
Meet Danitra Brown External link by Nikki Grimes: collection of poems about friendship between two young Black girls who explore self-assurance and pride in their heritage.
Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women External link by Catherine Thimmesch: stories about innovative women to encourage readers to think creatively in the face of adversity.
Dancing in the Wings External link by Debbie Allen: story of a young girl who pursues her dream of becoming a dancer.
speak up External link by Miranda Paul: vibrant picture book that encourages kids to be outspoken.
Podcasts and Videos
Girl Tales—Feminist Stories for a New Generation External link : fairytales reimagined through an empowering lens.
Peace Out External link : short stories that help kids wind down and relax through breathing and mindfulness activities.
Dream Big External link : mom-and-daughter duo interview experts, entrepreneurs and award-winners to encourage kids to dream big.
But Why External link : podcast led by kids seeking answers to questions about how the world works.
Fierce Girls External link : stories about adventurous girls for kids of all ages; parental guidance recommended for listening.
Molly of Denali External link : ten-minute episodes that set up the backstory for the PBS cartoon of the same name about an Alaska native growing up with her parents and community.
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls External link : stories about influential women told for young listeners.
Calm Kids Podcast External link : stories told by two sisters, ages 8 and 11, to help other young kids fall asleep at night.
Henry & Leslie (A Children’s Story About Confidence and Self-Love) External link : story for children about self-love and building confidence.
Building Self-Esteem External link on Sesame Street’s YouTube channel: video series for kids to learn about appreciating themselves and building confidence.
Apps
HappiMe for Children External link : promotes self-esteem through the power of positive thinking.
Breathe, Think, Do With Sesame External link : resource to help kids and their parents with emotional vocabulary, personalized encouragements and breathing activities.
Avokiddo Emotions External link : animal characters embody different emotions to help kids learn about their own feelings.
Headspace for Kids External link : guided meditations organized by feelings of calmness, kindness and emotional well-being.
Events/Programs
Confident Girls External link : workshops, events, after school programs and camps for girls in grades K–5 to learn about positive friendships, self-esteem and leadership.
Book Club External link through Girls Leadership: book recommendations and toolkits for starting a book club for young girls.
Girls Rock Camp Alliance External link : network of communities to facilitate summer camps for young girls to learn how to play music and build confidence.
Sole Girls External link : running programs to empower girls ages 6 to 12.
REALgirl External link : workshops to teach girls life skills and self-esteem before they mature and grow into their teen years.
Self-Esteem Resources for Teen Girls
(Ages 12–18)
Web Pages
How Can I Improve My Self-Esteem? (for Teens) External link , Nemours TeensHealth: Explanations and recommendations for teens of where self-esteem comes from and how to build it.
18 Self-Esteem Worksheets and Activities for Teens and Adults External link . Positive Psychology: printable worksheets of exercises for counselors to use with teens.
Confidence (for Teens) External link , Nemours TeensHealth: explanation of confidence and ideas for building self-esteem.
Self-Esteem Worksheets for Adolescents External link , Therapist Aid: downloadable activities for teens to practice gratitude exercises, stress-reduction techniques and more.
13 Ways to Boost Your Daughter’s Self-Esteem External link , Child Mind Institute: 13 ways to encourage tween and teenage girls to build confidence and practice self-love.
How To Stop the Tween Confidence Drop by Helping Girls Take on Toxic Thinking External link , A Mighty Girl: article about supporting teen girls with additional resources and book recommendations curated by the organization.
How To Help Your High-Schooler Handle School Cliques External link , Understood: ideas for understanding and supporting the unique social circumstances of teen girls.
Empowering Tween Girls: The Five Super Powers Every Girl Needs External link , Your Teen Magazine: recommendations from the founder of an educational mentoring service for pre-adolescent girls.
Five Ways To Help Teens Build a Sense of Self-Worth External link , Mindful: activities that teens can practice and complete on their own to develop and increase their self-worth.
15 Tips To Build Self-Esteem and Confidence in Teens External link , Big Life Journal: ideas for parents of teens to encourage a growth mindset, including a free printable worksheet.
Books
Confidence Code for Girls External link by Katty Kay, Claire Shipman and JillEllyn Riley: guide for tween girls who want to build confidence and fearlessness.
A Strong Girls’ Guide To Being: Exercises and Inspiration for Becoming a Braver, Kinder, Healthier You External link by Lani Silversides: part journal, part workbook for teen girls to explore confidence, bravery and kindness.
The Self-Esteem Workbook for Teens External link by Lisa M. Schab: activity book for teens to practice self-acceptance and shedding insecurities.
Love for Imperfect Things External link by Haemin Sunim: ideas from a Buddhist monk about accepting yourself and your flaws.
Chocolate for a Teen’s Soul External link by Kay Allenbaugh: true stories about the challenges and experiences of being a teenager.
Holding Up the Universe External link by Jennifer Niven: story of a teen girl navigating grief and body image issues.
you are enough: a tale of healing and self-love External link by vp wright: poetry about healing and self-love written by the author to her younger self.
Well-Read Black Girl External link by Glory Edim: collection of original essays by Black women writers about the importance of seeing oneself represented in literature.
Celebrate Your Body (And Its Changes, Too!) The Ultimate Puberty Book for Girls External link by Sonya Renee Taylor: body-positive guide to puberty for girls ages 8 and up.
Brave External link by Sissy Goff MEd, LPC-MHSP: guide to understanding one’s own emotions better, including a companion book for parents of teens.
The Ultimate Self-Esteem Workbook for Teens: Overcome Insecurity, Defeat Your Inner Critic, and Live Confidently External link by Megan MacCutcheon, LPC: practical tools, stories and resources for understanding one’s own self-esteem, insecurities and more.
Badass Black Girl External link by M.J. Fievre: journal designed for teenage Black girls to explore their creativity, body image, aspirations and more.
Feeling Better: CBT Workbook for Teens External link by Rachel Hutt: workbook for cognitive behavioral therapy strategies for overcoming obstacles and addressing mental health.
A Girl’s Guide to Epic Outdoor Adventures External link , Girls Leadership & REI: toolkit for girls in grades 5 and up to explore their aspirations and self-expression.
Podcasts and Videos
Let’s Be Real With Sammy Jae External link : unfiltered conversations hosted by the youngest person to have an iHeartRadio podcast, at just 18 years old.
Teen Girl Talk External link : podcast of two adult siblings who discuss media made for teens and their own life experiences.
Eleanor Amplified External link : podcast stories about a daring journalist who goes on adventures looking for her next story.
How Girls’ Self-Esteem Drops When They Turn 13 External link , The Confidence Project: video about self-esteem featuring girls who were previously interviewed about confidence when they were pre-teens.
Girls Ages 5–18 Talk About Hair and Self Esteem External link , Allure: video of girls explaining their connection between self-esteem, body image and hair.
3 Tips To Boost Your Confidence External link , TED-Ed: animated video explaining where confidence comes from and three tips for teens to build self-esteem.
Apps
HappiMe for Young People External link : app to promote the power of positive thinking and encouragement for teens.
Pacifica External link : psychologist-designed app for mindfulness, meditation and mood tracking.
Stop, Breathe, & Think External link : app to help young people find peace of mind and develop the emotional well-being to face the challenges of everyday life.
Unique Daily Affirmations External link : app that provides daily affirmations for young people to read, say out loud and think about during each day.
MindShift™ CBT External link : free exercises for addressing anxiety, nervousness and self-consciousness.
moodgym External link : interactive app to help young people boost their mood and keep track of what makes them feel better.
SuperBetter External link : app designed for young people to stay optimistic, motivated and resilient.
Programs
Girls With Leadership External link : summer camps, workshop series and volunteer opportunities for girls in fifth through 12th grade to learn leadership skills.
Girls Support Group Palantine External link , New Transitions: group therapy sessions for teen girls to navigate self-esteem, emotional support and conflict-resolution.
The Butterfly Effect External link , Enlighten Education: resilience workshops and courses for teen girls to explore self-esteem and understand their impact on their peers.
Girls GLOW Program External link : workshops designed by a teacher to empower girls to build confidence and support each other.
Self-Esteem Resources for Adults
Who Work With Girls
Web Pages
Positive Affirmations for Kids: 189 Positive Things to Say to Your Child External link , Meraki Lane: list of positive statements to say to children to help boost their confidence and mood.
Self-Esteem Activity Guide for Youth Leaders External link , Dove: resources and tips to encourage mindfulness and positivity among young people.
Self-Esteem: Everything Parents Need To Know External link , The Center for Parenting Education: guide for parents including basic concepts, history and strategies for encouraging self-esteem.
How To Praise Children External link , Understood: explanation of different types of praise and when to use them to encourage growth for children.
A Mighty Girl External link : collection of books, toys, movies and music for parents, teachers and others dedicated to raising smart, confident and courageous girls, and there are, of course, resources for girls themselves.
Sidestep a Confidence Slump: Building Confidence in Tween Girls External link , Your Teen Magazine: supportive recommendations from a school counselor for any adults that spend time with teen girls.
Books
Kid Confidence: Help Your Child Make Friends, Build Resilience, and Develop Real Self-Esteem External link by Eileen Kennedy-Moore: collection of evidence-based recommendations for parenting young children ages 6–12 and encouraging high self-esteem.
Full of Ourselves: A Wellness Program To Advance Girl Power, Health, and Leadership External link by Catherine Steiner-Adair and Lisa Sjostrom: health-and-wellness education program designed to address disordered eating and body preoccupation for girls in grades 3 through 8.
Beyond the Gender Binary External link by Alok Vaid-Menon: book that explores non-binary genders and the freedom of self-expression.
Podcasts and Videos
How To Raise Girls’ Self-Esteem External link , Jodi Aman: video of recommendations from a counselor for parents who want to support their daughters’ body image and self-worth.
Raising Daughters External link : podcast for parents of teen and adolescent girls about how to build relationships based in trust instead of fear.
One Mom. One Girl. Together We Rise. External link : podcast hosted by a certified parenting coach about raising girls with kindness, resilience and bravery.
Programs and Organizations
Girl & Grown-up Workshops External link Girls Leadership: family-based online workshops for parents and daughters to attend together to learn about leadership, confidence and self-esteem.
