The Self-Esteem Teacher, by Robert Brooks, Ph.D. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service, 1991. 140 pages. $15.
Dr. Robert Brooks is on the faculty of the Harvard Medical School and Director of Psychology at the McLean Hospital in Belmont. It is immediately evident from reading Dr. Brooks’ book (and hearing him lecture) that he brings a wealth of professional experience to the topic of self-esteem. What is most striking is the way he draws equally from his years of expertise and personal experiences. This integration of personal and professional wisdom translates into a down-to-earth, accessible approach toward building self-esteem.
The Self-Esteem Teacher is written for teachers but its common sense principles are applicable to parents. Each chapter leads with adults recollecting formative interactions with teachers. These anecdotes and others throughout the book speak volumes about the powerful impact (for better or worse) that significant adults have on a child’s self-esteem. My own memories of teachers kept flooding in as I read the book. Experiences with teachers in my own school years, both the positive and negative ones, convinced me of the value of Brook’s recommendations.
Identifying and building on a child’s strengths is the key to Dr. Brook’s approach. He says directly that children (like all of us) can never get too much encouragement. Viewing mistakes and failures as opportunities for learning and growth is a liberating and empowering stance, which he argues builds character and confidence. I appreciated his emphasis on seeing the world through our children’s eyes. It’s so easy to get stuck in our own parent worldview and forget this valuable point. His realism about life’s dynamic complexity gives this book credibility.