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In order to discuss this question fully I feel I should briefly look at the role of the teacher. The teacher is the first person a child meets when they begin their educational years. As the role of a teacher is not “simple or straightforward” and as according to Rowan 1994 it ranks in the “top quartile on complexity for all occupations”. (Snowman, Biehler, ninth edition2000, pg 5). It has also been recognised by the National Board for Teaching Standards 1994 that teaching is a “complex activity that requires an in-depth knowledge in a number of areas.” (Snowman, Biehler, ninth edition2000, pg 5). To achieve the highest level of teaching standards the board have suggested 5 propositions.
1. Teachers are committed to students and their teaching.
2. Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students.
3. Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning.
4. Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience.
5. Teachers are members of learning communities (National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, 1994)

- Taking into account all these aspects, it shows that the primary teacher plays a pivotal role in the educational cycle of a child. With all of these in mind we will now look in-depth at how a teacher can develop self-esteem in a child. Firstly we will look at the word self-esteem and what it means. The term self-esteem comes from a Greek word meaning “reverence for self.” The “self” part relates to the values, beliefs and attitudes that we hold about ourselves. The “esteem” part describes the value and worth that one gives oneself, basically self-esteem is the acceptance of what and who we are at any one stage in our lives. (Website: www.ehlt.flinders.edu.au/education, viewed 13/07/07) In relation to young children, self-esteem relates to the extent to which they expect to be accepted and valued by the adults and peers who are...