It may seem unlikely, or in some cases impossible, for positive self talk to actually make a difference in kids. Believe it or not, research and tons of evidence show that affirmations for kids are overwhelmingly powerful. While I have always loved affirmations as a way to build self esteem and a positive classroom environment, this research is so compelling to me!
The evidence
In 1988, Claude Steele published a study coining the “self-affirmation theory”. This theory has led to mountains of powerful neuroscientific research. This brain research’s goal to see if any noticeable changes occurred in the brain when we say affirmations. Did you know that there is actual MRI evidence that shows certain neural pathways are increased in the prefrontal cortex when people practice self-affirmations?!
If we know that science has proven that positive self-talk changes the brain for the better, we HAVE to implement this practice into our classrooms. There are TONS of affirmations that can be used with kids. I truly believe the most powerful affirmations for kids are ones that are tailored to each individual or the activity that you’re engaging in. Here are 10 affirmations for kids that are a great place to start.
1.) Everyone makes mistakes.
2.) It’s a great day to be brave.
3.) The world is better because I am in it.
4.) Gratitude is powerful.
5.) My voice matters.
6.) I can be calm.
7.) Feelings come and go.
8.) I am strong.
9.) I can try again.
10.) Today can be great.
Affirmation activities
You can already see that I am super passionate about affirmations across the board, especially in school settings. I have TONS of affirmation-specific activities and products for teachers to easily use with students. Most of them require little to no preparation, which is of course a huge bonus!
I love using these affirmation cards and coloring journals for students to physically see and hear positive mantras. These can be used as morning work/choices, during quiet time, as an early finisher activity, or as a targeted intervention. There’s so many options to build affirmations for kids into the school day.
These alphabet affirmation cards are such helpful tools. These can hang in a calm corner, or travel with a student throughout the day. The variety of affirmations is a great way to see what words and phrases really resonate with certain kids.
I also love using Valentine’s Day as a specific day to focus on affirmations for kids. This set of heart-themed activities focuses on self-esteem and self-talk, and is perfect for February. In reality, these activities could easily be used any time of year!
While affirmations are awesome as reactive strategies (ex: a student gets frustrated over a math problem), they are even more powerful when use proactively. Kids can connect to and become comfortable using affirmations when they’re already embedded in their day. What ways will you provide affirmations for kids into your school day?
