1) Which building block of self-esteem do you believe would be most affected? Why? (recognizing that a combination of factors may come into play)

2) What would you specifically say to the student in response to the problem?

3) Which point on the "cycle of self-esteem" would your response most address?

Critique

1) Laura's worthiness would be most affected, because others didn't value her enough to choose her. Likewise, her sense of belonging would be affected, because she was only included out of necessity at the end.

2) Tell her you like her, and so do others even if she wasn't chosen.
Ask a peer to be sure to include her during recess.
Teach kids better ways to form teams that are arbitrary.
Assign her for a captain or some other leadership role to help peers see her potential.

3) Ideas could potentially break the cycle of low self-esteem by giving Laura positive reinforcement she wasn’t used to receiving.