Self-awareness Types, Importance, Facts & Worksheets for Kids (2024)

Being self-aware means understanding oneself. A person who is self-aware knows how to evaluate himself and has control over how to respond to his surroundings.

See the fact file below for more information on Self-Awareness or alternatively, you can download our 46-page Self-Awareness worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

DEFINITION

• According to the definition provided by psychologists Shelley Duval and Robert Wicklund, “Self-awareness is the capacity to concentrate on oneself. It is conscious of how one’s emotions, actions, or thoughts do or don’t align with one’s internal standards.”
• If a person is highly self-aware, they can look to their ‘inner selves’ and evaluate these internal standards. A highly self-aware person can align one’s behavior with one’s values, correctly understand how others perceive the person, and objectively evaluate oneself.
• Self-awareness is a skill wherein people recognize their strengths and weaknesses.
• Highly self-aware people can synchronize their feelings and thoughts that influence their actions.
• The process of learning how to be self-aware is not easy but once reached, it helps in achieving goals, happiness, and success.
• Self-awareness is rare because individuals commonly perceive a circ*mstance they are in based on their emotions only. Being self-aware, especially for leaders, is crucial because it helps individuals evaluate their progress and create an alternate course of action.

IMPORTANCE

• According to the study, when we examine ourselves, we can better understand our values, strengths, behaviors, limitations, feelings, and thoughts. We are conscious of how our actions, or even our presence, impact other people. Self-aware individuals value their connection more and are more content with what they have.
• A child will be more productive in the classroom and at home because of improved peer and teacher relationships, higher performance satisfaction, and increased self-assurance. These factors can all contribute to a happier and healthier student.
• Self-awareness improves an individual’s emotional intelligence due to a better understanding of their strengths and abilities. We may see how others perceive us when we turn our gaze outward. People conscious of how others perceive them are more likely to be sympathetic toward others.

TYPES

• Self-awareness has two different types, public self-awareness, and private self-awareness. The difference between these two is that public self-awareness concerns the social group you belong to, while personal self-awareness is one’s internal state.
• Public self-awareness. This concerns being conscious of our potential public personas. We are more likely to follow social standards and act in ways that are acceptable in society because of this consciousness. One disadvantage of this self-awareness when it is too high is that people may worry excessively about what others think of them.
• Meanwhile, private self-awareness is observing and considering one’s inner state. Private self-aware people are reflective and approach their emotions and responses with interest. Personal self-awareness could look like seeing your physical symptoms and appropriately attributing them when you face a situation that makes you nervous or anxious.

ELEMENTS

• Body. There are instances when our thoughts are accompanied by physical reactions that others may or may not notice. Next time you experience a physical response to an emotion, pause to consider recognizing where in your body the reaction is occurring.
• Self-concept. Your perception of yourself is your self-concept. Your impressions are shaped by your experiences, expectations for yourself going forward, and your perceptions of your skills. You are more likely to take on difficulties, accomplish personal goals, and generally live more positively if you have a good self-concept.
• Thoughts. Since our thoughts are linked to our emotions, understanding our thoughts and cognitive processes is a prerequisite for increasing our emotional awareness. Throughout the day, pay attention to the things you say to yourself, the way you express yourself, and the things you say in response to various events.
• Feelings. You must determine which of your feelings, whatever they may be, are connected to your thoughts and experiences. As soon as you name such emotions, record them and look for patterns. If you observe yourself in a negative pattern, take action to prevent continuing to sink with it.
• Emotions. The strongest influence on how we connect with others is our emotions. Individuals can identify and accept their various emotional states with higher emotional intelligence. Relationships can be significantly improved by being aware of your emotional state.

PRACTICES

• Several practices can help an individual gain self-awareness. This could be from recognizing the challenges, envisioning yourself, asking the ‘what’ questions, trying new things, keeping a journal, and practicing mindfulness.
• Asking ‘what’ questions. The capacity for self-reflection lies at the heart of self-awareness. To resolve the issues, we frequently ask ourselves the wrong questions. We tend to concentrate on the “why” inquiries, which is risky because it leads to a string of negative ideas.
• Instead, asking “what” questions encourages us to reflect on our actions and circ*mstances with greater objectivity. We can examine our behaviors and beliefs for what they are by asking ourselves questions like, “What was I feeling at that moment?”
• Envisioning yourself. Think of the best possible version of yourself. Our ideal self reflects our aspirations and dreams, as well as the accomplishments we wish to attain in the future. As you envision your idealized self more, you will start to lean more to focus and use your strengths in achieving your idealized self than getting sidetracked by setbacks.
• Recognizing the challenges. Child has to start identifying their weakness and strengths. You could write down things that you struggle with and things that you find easier. Develop learning strategies to capitalize on your identified abilities.
• Trying new things. Children who struggle with learning and thinking may be afraid to try new things for fear of failure. However, exposing yourself to various activities can help you realize your potential. An individual does not have to excel at everything. Instead, identifying new interests is what matters. Self-esteem may be increased.
• Keeping a journal. Keeping a journal is a brilliant way to be aware of your private and public selves. Additionally, it will assist you in identifying trends that either benefit or harm you.
• Make questions to use as prompts in your journal logs. One example question could be, “What did I do today?”. You can also write down affirmations and positive thoughts for yourself.
• Recognize your emotional triggers. Self-aware individuals are able to recognize their feelings when they occur. Instead of suppressing or denying emotions, learn to acknowledge them. Process the emotion you are feeling before communicating with others.
• Practicing Mindfulness. Mindfulness is an exercise. It aids in your awareness of what is happening in your environment, body, and mind. One of the few techniques you can include in your daily life is meditation, and practicing mindfulness is a terrific way to gain more self-control.
• There are several mindfulness exercises you can do at home. Going to a quiet space at home and practicing deep breathing for five minutes is one. Another is drawing sceneries or images that come to your mind, exploring creativity. Lastly, look around your surroundings and name everything you see around you.

BENEFITS

• Self-awareness has several benefits for an individual. It offers us the ability to control outcomes. It boosts our confidence, which enables us to make better decisions. It allows us to view things from a variety of angles. It liberates us from our preconceptions and prejudices, and, as a result, we can develop healthier relationships. It improves our capacity to control our emotions. Stress levels are reduced, and it improves our mood.
• These advantages alone are sufficient justification for working to increase self-awareness, but this list is by no means complete. Self-awareness can improve almost every experience you have because it’s a discipline and a skill you can use anywhere at any time to stay present, assess your circ*mstances accurately, and make wise decisions.

Self – Awareness

• Self-awareness is a skill wherein people recognize their strengths and weaknesses.
• Highly self-aware people can synchronize their feelings and thoughts that influence their actions.
• The process of learning how to be self-aware is not easy but once reached, it helps in achieving goals, happiness, and success.

Types of Self-Awareness

• Public Self-Awareness
• This is when people are aware of how others see them.
• Private Self-Awareness
• This is when a person is aware of himself and what he feels privately.
• An example is the feeling of nervousness.

Activities for Self-Awareness

• Giving yourself alone time, which allows you to be aware of your thoughts and feelings.
• Keeping a journal where feelings can be freely expressed and self-reflect on what happened during the day.
• Do activities that will help develop and improve the mind, such as yoga and meditation.
• Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses.

Other Tips on Improving Self-Awareness

• Acknowledge and be honest with yourself about your feelings.
• If you have problems, be open to your parents or close friends.
• Always consider the feelings of other people.
• Acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses.
• Think of the things that are important to you.
• In performing tasks, do some self-instruction, evaluate how long it takes to finish it, and always identify the important learnings that you will gain in every task.
• Manage your emotions and know your triggers, such as when you are angry or annoyed.
• Having control over your emotions can help you be calm and determine the action to respond.
• Take criticisms and turn them into positive traits.

Importance of Self-Awareness

• It helps in keeping a better understanding of the people around you and building a better relationship with them.
• It helps you become better at decision-making.
• It develops self-esteem and confidence.
• It gives a you a better outlook in life.
• It guides you to a stress-free, healthier, and happier life.

Getting to know yourself is a long process so be patient, acknowledge your mistakes, and enjoy the new learnings.

Self-Awareness Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Self-Awareness across 46 in-depth pages. These areready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Self-Awareness which is knowing how to evaluate oneself and control how to respond to situations.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

• Self-Awareness for Kids Facts
• Do You Know Yourself?
• Who Am I
• Strength & Weaknesses
• Assessing Yourself
• I Know Myself Best
• For This Year
• People Change
• What Will You Do?
• Controlling Emotions
• Rating
• Mood Tracker
• Someday I Will…
• Stay Positive!
• Mindfulness Exercise
• Check that Checklist
• Inside Out
• Beneficial List
• Staying True
• Keeping a Journal
• What’s the Answer?
• Lost in our Thoughts
• Identifying Elements

Frequently Asked Questions

What is self-awareness?

Self-awareness is recognising and understanding one’s thoughts, emotions, and sensations. It is the foundation of emotional intelligence and helps children understand themselves and their place in the world.

Why is self-awareness important for kids?

Self-awareness is essential for kids because it helps them understand their emotions and thoughts, leading to better decision-making and communication. It also helps children develop empathy and understand the perspectives of others.

How can parents help their children develop self-awareness?

Parents can help their children develop self-awareness by encouraging them to talk about their feelings, helping them label their emotions, and teaching them how to regulate them. Parents can also model self-awareness by sharing their thoughts and feelings and being honest about their emotions.

What are some activities that can help kids develop self-awareness?

Many activities can help kids develop self-awareness, including mindfulness and meditation, journaling, and self-reflection exercises. Kids can also develop self-awareness through creative activities, such as art or music, that allow them to express their emotions and thoughts.

How does self-awareness affect children’s relationships with others?

Self-awareness has a direct impact on children’s relationships with others. Self-aware children are better able to understand the perspectives and emotions of others, which leads to more positive relationships. They are also better able to regulate their emotions and communicate effectively, leading to fewer conflicts and misunderstandings.

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Link will appear as - KidsKonnect, February 9, 2023