It isn’t a secret that children of all ages can benefit from positive affirmations, especially in recent years. Today we are talking about all things positive affirmations for kids and how you can use them to encourage positive thinking and behavior.
We will cover…
- What are positive affirmations for kids?
- Why are children’s affirmations important?
- Do positive affirmations for children work?
- How do you teach children positive affirmations?
- Positive affirmation activities for kids.
- 75 Positive Affirmation Phrases for Kids (Free Printable Download)
What are positive affirmations for kids?
Positive affirmations are simply positive phrases or statements told to oneself in hopes to challenge negative thoughts and give way to positive and productive ones. Positive affirmations are a form of self-talk, per se.
Positive affirmations are typically used to motivate yourself, encourage positive changes in your life, and/or boost your self-esteem.
The same is true for children’s affirmations. They help our kids repeat positive and pleasant phrases, hence impacting particular behaviors and actions.
In essence, helping our children train their thinking at an early age, can in turn help them learn how to control their emotions and their actions.
Why are children’s affirmations important?
You can use affirmations with your child to encourage a positive thinking pattern and build a growth mindset.
In addition, affirmations are a good way to remind our children of their worth and value. Using them often reminds them about the power they hold within them to think positive thoughts, which in turn can result in positive actions.
Phrases such as, “I am brave,” and “Today will be a great day,” might sound seemingly simple, but they can have a big impact on young minds.
Not only can positive affirmation impact the way they think and behave, but studies show that it can also have a positive impact on their health. It turns out that thinking positive, happy, hopeful, optimistic, and joyful thoughts decreases cortisol and produces serotonin, which creates a sense of well-being. (Source).
In addition to creating a sense of well-being, positive affirmations for kids can also:
- Promotes self-love.
- Encourage good self-esteem.
- Build lifelong resilience.
- Can serve as a coping mechanism.
- Can lead to better decision-making.
- Helps to control negative emotions.
- Could help build confidence.
- Serves as motivation.
- Aid in problem-solving.
Do positive affirmations for children work?
A recent studyevaluated the mechanisms associated with self-affirmation by examining participants’ neural activity during a self-affirmation task. They concluded that the neural correlates of self-affirmation were further associated with objectively measured behavior change, suggesting the external validity of the affirmation tasks.
In addition, there is MRI evidence suggesting that certain neural pathways are increased when people practice self-affirmation tasks. (Source).
Affirmations work when they are practiced consistently, so create a routine around positive affirmations in your home and teach your child to practice them daily.
How do you Teach Children Affirmations?
Positive affirmation for kids can be used in multiple ways. It is up to parents to choose which way to introduce positive affirmation to their children.
By keeping in mind your child’s personality, learning preference, and strengths and weaknesses, you can incorporate affirmations in their day-to-day in ways they are more receptive to them.
You know your children better than anyone. So, before introducing positive affirmation to your kids, ask yourself…
- What areas do they need help in?
- How do they learn best?
- What areas of their character need more mental strengthening?
- Which positive affirmations can they benefit the most from?
Once you have the answer to some of these questions, decide which of the following activities will work best for your child.
Positive Affirmation Activities for Kids
Here are some positive affirmations activities and ideas for kids you can incorporate into your daily routine!
Positive Affirmation Cards for Kids
Using Affirmation Cards for Kids is one of the best ways to introduce positive affirmations.
They are incredibly versatile and most importantly they are visual, which makes it great for kids!:
These 31 Printable Affirmation Cards for Kids are a great resource. If you opt to purchase these, you will receivea 15-Page PDFcontaining:
- 31 Positive Affirmation Cards
- BONUS:(4) 5×7 Affirmation Phrase
- BONUS:(4) 8×10 Affirmation Phrase
You can use these as:
- Lunch Box Notes.
- Morning messages in the bathroom mirror.
- Bookmarks.
- Room décor for their bedroom walls, nightstand, or dresser.
- Family discussions.
- Screen savers for smart devices.
- Memory game cards.
- Art display.
- …. and more!
You can read all about it, here.
Counteracting Negative Thoughts
It is a great opportunity to introduce positive affirmations to our kids when they are experiencing negative emotions—sadness, anger, self-esteem issues, and so on.
You may find that this allows the chance to discuss emotions or issues that they may be experiencing, opening doors for conversation, and offering a solution.
The more you do this, the more they will learn to cope once these emotions arise in the future.
For instance:
Your 8-year-old daughter just came home from school and told you someone told her she was ugly—I know, rough. Kid’s can be brutal sometimes.
Use this opportunity to counteract those negative feelings with positive affirmations and positive thinking exercises.
You can ask her: What do you think of yourself? What do you love most about yourself?
Also, use that opportunity to tell her all of the reason why SHE IS beautiful. Take her in front of a mirror and show her why she is special and unique.
Help her realize her inner and outer beauty by pointing out things that probably have never ever realized about herself—her hair, her eyes, her sense of humor, her kindness, etc. Think of the strengths and talents she possesses and express those to her.
Lastly, remind her that others’ opinions are just that— “opinions”… and they definitely don’t define us.
So, you get the idea!
School Lunch Notes
Sending affirmation messages in the form of school notes is a great idea. It severs a little daily reminder of how wonderful they are and of the power within them.
You can simply write on a post-it note, or send them a printable affirmation card.
No matter how you do it, the outcome will be the same.
Positive Affirmation Board
Another great way to introduce positive affirmations and practice positive thinking is to incorporate a Family Positive Affirmation Board to your family living area, for instance, a family room, kitchen, or dining room.
Once a week, as a family, bring out paper and crayons where everyone will get to write something about themselves that they love, they are proud of, or that they want to work on.
To make it more cohesive, you can pick a subject for the week.
Younger kids can draw their thoughts, older kids can write them and/or draw them as well. Once everyone has their positive affirmations on paper they can all be pinned to the Family Positive Affirmation Board to serve as a reminder for the rest of the week until next week’s activity.
Alternatively, the activity can also consist of writing positive things about each other.
Sing it Out
We often underestimate the power of music!
Often times the music we listen to has a direct impact on the way feel, and for kids, it is no different.
My kids now age 8 and 5 love to sing along, especially in the car. Ever since they were little, I would play Worship Music songs in the car—nothing fancy, just my local Christian Radio Station.
I wasn’t actively playing it for them, per se. It was a decision I made after I found it had the ability to wipe my anxiety and day-to-day motherhood burnout away.
And so it wasn’t until I would hear my children sing these beautiful, positive songs in the shower, or as they did their homework, that I realized the incredible and direct impact things they repeatedly listened to had on them.
There are many songs out there that are loaded with positive affirmations. Make it a thing to play those songs in the car while you drive your kids to school and back or play them at home while you cook, clean, or do laundry.
Another option, and a super fun one, is to make up your own positive affirmation tunes and sing them out loud.
Follow the leader
Last, but not least, is to lead by example! I know that oftentimes we get caught up in day-to-day stressors and say things out loud that go completely against positivity.
Remembering that our children are always listening and following our example, we must make a conscious effort to react to stressors the exact same way we are teaching them to.
For instance, when you wake up tomorrow morning and you are serving your kid’s breakfast, say out loud “today, is going to be a great day.” As simple as that activity might seem, it will subconsciously set a precedent for the rest of the day.
Often times when you exude positive energy, and positive vibes, things tend to go a lot smoother. Plus, it tends to also have a positive effect on our health.
So, now that we know what positive affirmations for kids are, how they work, why they are beneficial, and how to use them… here are 75 Positive Affirmations for Children you can incorporate into your daily routine.
75 Positive Affirmations for Kids
Self-esteem and Self-worth
1. There is no one better to be than myself.
2. I am perfect just the way I am.
3. I love myself.
4. I am beautiful.
5. I am brave.
6. I am smart.
7. I matter.
8. I am proud of myself.
9. I am worthy.
10. I deserve to be happy.
11. I am important.
12. I am whole.
13. I am unique.
14. I am appreciated.
15. I am creative.
16. I am patient.
17. My opinion matters.
18. I am valued.
19. I am honest.
20. I am helpful.
Confidence
21. I am strong and courageous.
22. I am confident.
23. I am enough.
24. I am a leader.
25. When I do things outside of my comfort zone, my confidence grows.
26. I stand up for what I believe in.
27. I am determined.
28. I believe in myself.
29. I make good choices.
30. I’ve got this!
31. I am a great person.
32. I am a good friend.
33. I never give up.
34. I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.
Empowerment
35. I improve every single day.
36. I know I can, and I will.
37. I can make a difference.
38. I will confront and overcome my fears.
39. I can do all things if I work hard.
40. I am ready and willing to learn.
41. I always try my best, and that is what matters.
42. I can do hard things.
43. My choices and opinions matter.
Reassurance
44. God loves me.
45. Today is going to be a great day.
46. Everything will be just fine.
47. I have people who love and respect me.
47. I am safe.
48. I am loved.
49. I am blessed.
50. I can speak my mind and share my ideas.
Overcoming Failure andChallenges
51. My problems have solutions.
52. It is okay not to know everything.
53. I can get through any obstacle.
54. My mistakes and challenges help me grow.
55. I can always try again.
56. It is okay to ask for help.
57. I am always learning.
58. I am improving.
59. I can figure some things out on my own.
60. When something knocks me down, I always get back up.
Emotions
61. I feel calm and relaxed.
62. I can control my emotions.
63. I am happy.
64. When I think positively, I have positive feelings.
65. When I don’t feel the best, expressing my feelings to loved ones helps me feel better.
Future Outlook
66. Today, I will shine.
67. My life is beautiful.
68. I have goals and dreams.
69. Every day is a fresh, new start to be better and do great things.
70. Great things await.
71. I have the power to make my dreams come true.
72. Today I choose to think positively.
73. Everything will be okay.
74. My future is bright.
75. When I work hard, I see the reward.
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In Summary
Positive Affirmations for Kids can have a tremendous impact on the way our children think, feel, and behave.
In addition, when used regularly they have the ability to become a part of their coping mechanisms as they grow older—which is a great thing!
As previously mentioned, there are many ways in which to introduce and practice positive affirmations. Simply, take into consideration how your kids learn best and choose children’s affirmation activities that you think will work best for their personalities and needs.
Most of all, be present, be attentive, be involved, and let them see you be positive and use positive affirmations as well. I believe those are the best ways to help us practice positive think and develop a positive mindset.
Do you use positive affirmations with your kids? Why or why not?
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