1. Introduction

Self-identity encompasses the intricate amalgamation of a person's perceptions and beliefs about themselves, as well as their role within society. It is a concept that stands adjacent to, yet distinct from, "personal identities" and "social identities" [1]. Personal identity revolves around a unique set of characteristics that an individual embodies, while social identities are predicated on one's role within a particular social group or context [2]. The concept of self-identity has captivated the attention of psychologists who have sought to unravel the profound relationship between an individual's self-awareness and its ramifications on their actions and decisions.

Self-Identity in Children has been a subject of intense scrutiny by psychologists, unveiling profound insights into the intricate process of self-identity formation. Understanding how self-identity evolves in children has not only helped psychologists comprehend how children build relationships and develop distinct behavioral traits but also how certain life events can significantly influence a child's self-esteem [3]. By fostering a more comprehensive understanding of self-identity, psychologists, parents, and educators alike are equipped with a foundation upon which to assist children in constructing a robust self-identity.

It is vital to recognize that a child's self-identity is not a static construct. Rather, it is a dynamic and fluid aspect of their development, continually reshaped by the myriad of experiences, triumphs, and setbacks they encounter on their journey to self-discovery [4].

No parent or authority figure can mold a child's self-identity directly, as it is an inherently personal and evolving process. Instead, they can provide an environment that nurtures and guides the child as they embark on their self-identity journey.

In the pursuit of nurturing a healthy self-identity in children, several strategies have emerged: Focusing on a child's strengths by acknowledging and praising their inherent talents, whether in sports, academics, music, or other domains. Such positive reinforcement fosters an understanding and appreciation of their unique abilities [5].

Based on this, it can be found that children's self-identity is essential for their development. Therefore, this paper analyzes the factors affecting children's self-identity construction and proposes methods to optimize children's self-identity development.

2. Factors Influencing Children's Self-Identity Construction

2.1. Cultural Background

Cultural background is an influential determinant in a child's self-identity construction. It profoundly impacts a child's understanding of themselves and their place in the world, influencing their values, beliefs, and behaviors. In particular, the Chinese and broader Asian culture provides an illustrative example of the powerful effects of cultural background on a child's self-identity.

In Chinese and many Asian cultures, collectivism, rather than individualism, is a prevailing cultural norm. These cultures place a strong emphasis on harmonious relationships, cooperation, and interdependence among family members and the community. The concept of "face," or preserving one's dignity and reputation, plays a vital role in interpersonal interactions. It's important to recognize how these cultural values inform a child's self-identity.

Children growing up in Chinese and Asian cultural backgrounds often perceive themselves in relation to their family and community. Their self-identity is intricately linked to their roles as sons, daughters, siblings, and community members. This interdependence fosters a sense of duty, responsibility, and filial piety, shaping their self-concept [6].

It's imperative to encourage children from these cultural backgrounds to explore new and unfamiliar topics. While the emphasis on collectivism is a crucial aspect of their identity, fostering an appreciation for a broad range of knowledge and skills can help them strike a balance. It underscores the importance of learning and building a strong work ethic.

The pandemic underscored the significance of cultural background in a child's self-identity. Chinese and Asian communities faced unique challenges during the pandemic, including racism and xenophobia. Children from these backgrounds had to navigate complex and sometimes discriminatory societal reactions, which could have a lasting impact on their self-identity.

The development of a child's self-identity is a multifaceted process influenced by various factors, as explored earlier. To foster a positive and resilient self-identity, several approaches can be implemented across different spheres of a child's life.

2.2. Family

The family plays a crucial role in shaping a child's self-identity. Parents are the child's first teacher, so the parents' concept will definitely affect the formation of the child's concept, and thus have an impact on the child's self-identity. Based on this, parents' cultural background and life attitude are important factors affecting children's self-identity. Furthermore, how parents discipline their child's behavior can be significantly influenced by their cultural background. It can affect the child's development, particularly if the disciplinary methods differ from the dominant cultural tradition. Therefore, understanding the cultural context in which a family operates is important, as it shapes not only the family's dynamics but also the child's self-identity development [7].

According to a 2019 study, parents from individualistic cultures discipline their children differently from parents in collectivist cultures. For example, parents in individualistic cultures might discipline their children by taking away something that matters to them personally. On the other hand, parents in collectivist cultures might encourage their children to think about how their behavior affects others.

The study also revealed that children raised in individualistic cultures described themselves based on their unique attributes. For example, "I am good at math." Whereas children raised in collectivist cultures were more likely to describe themselves based on their relationships with others, such as "I am my mother's daughter."

These differences in cultural disciplinary approaches can impact child development, especially when parents or teachers discipline children according to the dominant culture, such as the individualistic culture in the United States, instead of their family's culture of origin. For instance, children whose parents have disciplined them to value cooperation over competition may become confused or upset when a teacher urges them to be competitive [8].

2.3. Society

Society, including media, plays a pivotal role in shaping a child's self-identity. The rapid evolution of media in the digital age, coupled with the ongoing challenges of a global pandemic, has brought forth an array of influential factors that impact children's self-identity in ways both direct and indirect [9].

In today's digital landscape, children are more connected to media and technology than ever before. The emergence of smartphones, social media platforms, and an incessant stream of content has significantly heightened their exposure to external influences [8]. During the COVID-19 pandemic, with schools transitioning to remote learning and restrictions on outdoor activities, children's screen time increased exponentially. They turned to the virtual world not just for education but also for social interaction, entertainment, and information. In this context, media's role in shaping self-identity became even more pronounced.

Television, magazines, and social media platforms often portray idealized versions of individuals, setting unrealistic expectations for appearance, behavior, and success. This bombardment of images and messages can lead to feelings of inadequacy, fostering a negative impact on self-identity. Children may grapple with body image issues, low self-esteem, and an undue emphasis on materialistic values.

The pandemic's impact on children's self-identity cannot be underestimated. The abrupt shift to remote learning, limited physical interactions, and the stress of adapting to a new educational landscape all played a role. The media presented a paradoxical world of lockdowns, illness, and uncertainties, causing children to seek solace, information, and entertainment through screens. This prolonged exposure could have exacerbated the media's influence on self-identity.

Furthermore, the open communication aspect of societal influence has undergone significant transformation. The pandemic and its associated lockdowns made virtual communication more essential than ever. Children, in particular, relied on virtual platforms to connect with peers and family. The communication landscape became more nuanced, incorporating not just spoken words but also emoticons, gifs, and images. This shift had a significant impact on language and expression, potentially altering children's modes of interaction and, in turn, their self-identity.

During the pandemic, an emphasis on "social distancing" and isolation became prevalent, leading to altered social dynamics among children. Their ability to form in-person connections was limited, while the importance of digital relationships became more pronounced. This shift in the social landscape can have lasting implications for self-identity, as the perception of self often depends on interpersonal interactions.

3. Approaches to Improve Children's Self-Identity Construction

3.1. Cultural Awareness and Inclusivity

Cultural awareness and inclusivity are crucial components in nurturing self-identity, particularly in multicultural societies. Embracing diversity, teaching cultural competence, and promoting empathy are essential strategies. People can notrecognize themselves in an isolated state, must rely on the outside world, in order to form a self-identity. The so-called internal evaluation system does not mean that it does not collide with the outside world, but rather that it does not accept external evaluation, whether it is criticism or praise, and does not use it as a criterion for self-judgment. According to the Eric, “Adler says that one should neither criticize nor praise a person, especially when it comes to a child's childhood education.” [10].

Children must learn to celebrate differences and recognize the beauty of multiculturalism. By appreciating various cultural backgrounds, children can understand that there are multiple ways to perceive the world and form self-identity.

Teaching cultural competence, which involves the ability to interact effectively with people from diverse cultures, is pivotal in today's interconnected world. Children should learn the importance of respecting and understanding cultural differences. This can be achieved through culturally inclusive curricula and activities that expose children to various traditions and perspectives.

Promoting empathy is also crucial. Empathy is the cornerstone of effective intercultural communication and understanding. It enables children to connect with people from different backgrounds and appreciate their experiences, thereby broadening their self-identity.

3.2. Parental Support and Guidance

Parents play a central role in shaping their child's self-identity. To support self-identity development, parents should go beyond merely acknowledging their child's strengths. They must create an environment that nurtures these strengths. This involves praising a child's unique talents and fostering self-worth. However, the process goes beyond recognition; it requires active involvement [7].

Parents can encourage autonomy by allowing children to make age-appropriate decisions and take responsibility for their actions. This approach not only boosts a child's confidence but also provides valuable life skills. The process of making choices and learning from them is essential for self-identity formation.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the significance of parental support and guidance. Children experienced various challenges during the pandemic, including remote learning and social isolation. Parents had to adapt their roles to support their children's well-being and self-identity.

In a world transformed by a global crisis, parents needed to be more engaged in their child's education, maintaining open lines of communication to address challenges and concerns. This period underscored the importance of understanding the role of parents as primary caregivers, mentors, and emotional anchors in a child's life.

Encouraging resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving became paramount as children faced disruptions to their routines. Parents who provided consistent emotional support and actively listened to their children's experiences aided in fostering a strong and adaptable self-identity.

3.3. Education and School Interventions

Educational institutions hold a unique position to promote self-identity development. Schools are not just places of academic learning; they are environments where children form relationships, discover their interests, and explore their self-identity.

Programs that encourage diversity, inclusion, and open discussions about self-identity are pivotal. Educational institutions can create a climate where children from various backgrounds feel respected, valued, and safe to express their self-identity. These efforts contribute positively to a child's self-identity development [7].

In today's evolving online learning, students must adapt to the new challenges that come with learning styles. This transition highlighted the importance of maintaining a sense of community and inclusivity in the virtual environment. Schools that actively embraced these principles supported students in navigating the uncertainties and disruptions of the pandemic.Resources for students, both in terms of emotional support and guidance, became even more vital. By offering mental health resources, counseling, and coping strategies, schools can help children build resilience and a positive self-identity, even during times of crisis.

Educational institutions can further enhance self-identity development by providing extracurricular activities that cater to diverse interests and talents. These activities not only allow children to explore their passions but also build a sense of belonging and achievement, fostering a strong self-identity.

3.4. Media Literacy and Technology Education

The influence of media and technology on self-identity is substantial, as highlighted earlier. Empowering children with media literacy skills and educating them on responsible technology use is essential in the digital age.

Media literacy encompasses the ability to critically assess media content, discern its biases, and understand its potential impact. It equips children to differentiate between idealized portrayals and reality, empowering them to maintain a healthy self-identity despite media's external pressures.

With screen time and digital interactions proliferating, media literacy has become a vital skill. Children are bombarded with information and images. Without the ability to critically evaluate these sources, children can become overwhelmed or misguided, negatively impacting their self-identity [11].

Responsible technology use is another critical component. Children need to understand the implications of their digital actions and the permanence of their online footprint. This knowledge can help protect their self-identity from potential harm.

As distance learning and virtual communication become the norm, schools and parents had to guide children on how to engage responsibly in the digital world, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive self-identity even in the virtual sphere.

In conclusion, the approaches to improving children's self-identity are multifaceted, reflecting the complex and ever-evolving challenges faced by children today. By combining parental support, educational interventions, cultural awareness, and media literacy, we can create an environment where children are empowered to construct positive and resilient self-identities, even in the face of adversity, such as the global COVID-19 pandemic.

4. Conclusion

In conclusion, children's self-identity is a dynamic and intricate construct, profoundly influenced by familial, societal, and cultural factors. Nurturing a child's self-identity necessitates a holistic approach. By fostering an environment that celebrates strengths, safeguards against the perils of negative media exposure, encourages open and empathetic communication, emphasizes the intrinsic value of lifelong learning, and promotes autonomy, we provide the essential building blocks for a positive and resilient self-identity.

Empowering children to explore their cultural backgrounds while promoting inclusivity and empathy enables them to navigate the complexities of an interconnected world with a strong, balanced self-identity. This multifaceted approach ensures that every child has the opportunity to flourish, even in the face of challenges, such as those brought about by the global pandemic. The multifaceted nature of self-identity means that children have the capacity to adapt and thrive in diverse circumstances, provided they receive the necessary support and guidance from their families, educators, and communities.