ABSTRACT
This chapter explores both broad and specific ways to ensure that children with learning disabilities have multiple sources for their sense of self. It provides some advice for teachers in promoting a positive attitude in the classroom for learning disabled children. The chapter focuses on building self-esteem in students with learning difficulties and then on stimulating motivation in such children. It also provides advice to parents, professionals, and teachers on how to help children maintain or build their self-esteem. Parents want to praise their children, and children love praise. Carol Dweck says that the most important attribute worthy of praise in children is the efforts that they make. Probably one of the more under-researched focuses related to children with learning difficulties is how to motivate them. For many children, a small spark of interest can snowball into better reading or writing or even a life-long interest or talent.
