Improving the Confidence of Pre-Adolescent Girls by Focusing on the Development of Positive Self-Esteem, Body Image, and Assertiveness Skills.

This practicum was designed to focus on: (1) the improvement of the confidence of pre-adolescent girls; (2) the establishment of a positive body image; and (3) the strengthening of assertiveness skills. The writer worked in a group of 20 girls over a period of 8 months using exercises designed to facilitate their growth. A curriculum was developed which uses hands-on exercises to: (1) explore the impact of the media upon concepts of female beauty and strength; (2) examine stereotypes found in their literature and history textbooks; (3) expand their awareness of sexism in daily life; (4) develop assertive skills to combat harassment; and (5) identify strong and famous women in history. Analysis of the data revealed the format of this group effective in increasing the girls self-confidence and sense of positive body-image, but the results were inconclusive for the strengthening of assertiveness skills. Five tables show the results of questionnaires completed by the girls and their mothers. (Author/SR)