Positive Affirmations for Students: Building Confidence and Happiness
Positive affirmations are important for students to help boost self-esteem, increase confidence and happiness and help students and kids of all ages navigate challenges with a positive mindset. Affirmations are short; positive “I am” statements that call you into an intentional way of being (Farrell and Sox, 2021). These statements are declarations for children to say, with the hope that they will embody these statements. There is an established connection between having low self esteem and behavioral problems (Farrell and Sox, 2021), and this can often be seen in the school system. Low self esteem is defined as a lack of confidence and feeling badly about oneself. By using positive affirmations for students to make positive statements about themselves to challenge these negative thoughts, confidence can be boosted and can help children with their behavior and encourage positive thoughts and beliefs about themselves.
Positive affirmations can help provide the language children need to speak truth and be positive towards themselves. Self-affirmations can teach them how to redirect negative thoughts into more positive ones. Initially practicing positive affirmations may feel awkward. Children might feel odd saying the phrases out loud. But with time and practice, and your help, it will become easier.
Positive affirmations are a great way to practice being more mindful. Being more mindful about yourselves, the words you speak about yourself and how you think about yourself.
8 Simple Steps to make Positive Affirmations:
- Make affirmations positive
- Keep them simple and in the present
- Start by making small shifts.
- Follow through with the affirmation
- Say something that you believe in
- Place them in visible places,
- Repeat affirmations often
- Check in with yourself
Benefits of Positive Affirmations for Students:
- Positive Affirmations Boost Self-Confidence: Affirmations can boost a child’s self-confidence by reinforcing their strengths and abilities.
- Affirmations Foster a Positive Mindset: Affirmations cultivate a positive mindset, helping children see challenges as opportunities for growth.
- Affirmations help to build Resilience: Affirmations can help children bounce back from setbacks and believe in themselves.
- Affirmations encourage a Better Self-Image
- Positive Affirmations help to build a Growth Mindset.
How to Practice Positive Affirmations with Students:
- Keep it Simple: Use affirmations that are age-appropriate and easy to understand.
- Make it Fun: Turn affirmations into a game or a daily ritual.
- Repeat Regularly: Encourage consistent practice of affirmations to reinforce positive beliefs.
- Personalize Affirmations: Help children create their own affirmations based on their unique strengths and qualities.
- Use Visuals: Incorporate visuals like posters or flashcards with affirmations to make them more engaging.
Positive Affirmations for Students:
Finding simple positive affirmations for kids can be easy. Think of good things about the child, and tailor the affirmations to them. Themes can include self-love, courage, kindness, and resilience. They can also be simple or more complex, depending on your child age or the situation. Here are some examples you can use with your kids:
- “I am brave and can face any challenge.”
- “I am kind and make a positive difference in the world.”
- “I believe in myself and my abilities.”
- “I am unique and special just the way I am.”
- “I am strong and can handle anything that comes my way.”
Simple Positive Affirmations:
You can also simplify affirmations even more, especially for younger students. Examples of these include:
- I am Calm
- I am Happy
- I am Brave
- I am a Good Learner
- I am Kind
- I am Smart
- I am a Good Friend
It is important to incorporate positive affirmations into a child’s daily routine. Practicing affirmations with children consistently can help nurture their self-esteem and well being. Think of a time that is consistent in the child’s day, and use it to practice affirmations. This can be in the morning at the beginning of the school day , or right after lunch. I personally, like to place my kids’ affirmations on their mirrors, at home, so they can see it when they brush their teeth, in the morning and at night.
I AM SMART MEDITATION
A mindful way to practice positive affirmations is through this I Am Smart Meditation. The Affirmation of “I am Smart”, can be changed to anything- I am Kind, I am Happy, I am Beautiful, I am a Good Friend etc. Use what you think the child(ren) need that day and change the words around. You can find that meditation here.
Positive Affirmation Cards
Positive affirmations Cards are also a really great easy and simple way to practice positive affirmations. Affirmation cards can provide a visual reminder of positive messages. They are engaging for students and interactive. Affirmation Cards can also help provide variety and choice for the kids.
Keep them in your car, or on the night-stand. Laminate them and place them in a ring and place them in a calm-down corner, or on each student’s desk. Have them flip through them once a day and read to themselves or read them aloud and have students repeat after you.
Grab a copy of my Fruit-Themed Positive Affirmation Cards. Print them out, Laminate and put them on a ring. Put them somewhere accessible, so they can be used!
Let me know if you tried these affirmations and if you liked them.
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