Final answer:
To help children develop a healthy self-concept and sense of competence, parents and teachers should use an authoritative parenting style, focus on positive reinforcement, and allow children to exert their initiative without excessive control.
Step-by-step explanation:
To nurture a healthy self-concept in elementary school children and foster a sense of competence, parents and teachers can employ various strategies aligned with the principles of developmental psychology and educational theory. Encouraging the formation of a positive self-concept is crucial, as it leads to greater self-confidence, academic performance, and independence.
Firstly, employing an authoritative parenting style, characterized by a balance of responsiveness and reasonable demands, promotes high self-esteem and social skills. It's through this style that the child learns about positive reinforcement and autonomy within structured boundaries.
Secondly, celebrating children's successes and offering supportive feedback rather than focusing on failures or using negative reinforcement helps build a sense of accomplishment and pride. Activities that provide opportunities for comparison and social interaction, done in a healthy and supportive environment, can be particularly effective.
Lastly, recognizing and allowing children to assert their initiative, such as during play and social interactions, without over-controlling, helps develop their self-confidence and a sense of purpose, as per Erikson's stages of psychosocial development.