"I Think I Can, I Think I Can!"

Self-Efficacy is the ability to define a goal, perservere, and see oneself as capable.

The building blocks of self-efficacy:
1) Opportunities for mastery
2) Allow opportunities to observe others succeeding at the task
3) Direct persuasion by others (giving specific feedback about strengths that will help accomplish the task).
4) Positive emotions

Here are some ways we can develop self-efficacy:
*Challenge negative thoughts and replace with a postive truthful idea
*Teach goal setting
*Notice, analyze and celebrate successes
*Use process praise (notice the efforts and specific steps a child has taken to accomplish something)
*Provide opportunities for mastery experiences
*Be honest and realistic (we aren't going to succeed at everything--talk about it when there is a failure, talk about what he/she could have done differently, and what strengths he/she can use to do better in the future)
**Slow down and really notice what your child is doing
**Be specific--specific praise (i.e. you dribble the ball really well) and not just general statements like "good job."
** Name strengths

--Information taken from NASP Communique, Nov. 2010, "Self-Efficacy: Helping Children Believe they Can Succeed."