Positive Affirmations for Kids to Build their Confidence

mother teaching son and helping with homework at home, mother kisses son

Especially today, supporting your kids’ emotional development is more important than ever.  An important point in this regard is that parents do not have to be experts in developing the social-emotional skills that their children need to thrive.  Many tools are readily available and easy to teach. One such tool that children can learn and practice is positive affirmations for kids. It is a positive program that helps children to master their self.  They help them develop a healthy sense of self as well as a positive psycho-social-emotional mindset.  Establishing a healthy habit of positive self-talk and using affirmations daily can empower your child, boost their self-confidence, and foster resilience.

Growing up as a shy, insecure kid, positive affirmations became a really powerful way for me to do “big kid” things.  This could be anything from riding the school bus alone and feeling good in a new outfit to introducing myself to a new group of friends.

What are positive affirmations for children?

Positive affirmations for kids are a great way to make your child feel good about themselves. When they have a positive outlook, their routine will be much easier.  Positive affirmations can be said as needed or as part of a daily routine. And it’s imperative to include mornings and other periods that can help your kids be positive and happy when starting the day. 

Affirmations for children can be done in different ways. 

It depending on your child, they can use their inner voice to say their affirmations silently, visualize their affirmations, say them out loud in front of a mirror, or maybe write some encouraging words that they can look at from time to time.  Morning affirmations are a great way to start the day with a healthy dose of self-compassion and positivity.  The idea behind affirmations is to challenge negative beliefs a person may have about themselves instead of focusing on a related positive belief.  When the person is struggling with their negative belief, they should repeat this related positive affirmation to themselves.  By doing this, the person ends up focusing more on the positive belief than the negative one.  If they can practice using positive affirmations regularly, they will be able to build a greater sense of self-confidence, self-worth, and competence.

A relatively easy way to ensure that one always has easy access to affirmations is with affirmation cards.  And children can receive positive affirmations from others, such as from their parents or teachers (“I believe in you”), and learn to use them in their self-talk (“I believe in myself”).

Why are affirmations important to kids?

Positive affirmations help children gain confidence.  The development of those things mainly affects mentality.  And it helps children to believe in themselves.  And children’s brains are more plastic than adults, making it easier for them to learn and adapt.  By teaching your children the language of self-love and confidence early on, you empower them to reach their full potential.

Children need to constantly ask themselves what makes them special and strong, over and over again.  The messages we send ourselves are very powerful and play an important role in our happiness, motivation, and overall well-being.  They influence how we feel about ourselves and the world around us.  Since young children’s brains are constantly growing and developing, it is especially important to maintain a positive mindset.

Children with a more positive outlook are generally happier and better equipped to deal with stress.  At the same time, not only do affirmations boost self-esteem and promote a growth mindset, but they are also very helpful in combating intrusive negative thoughts and those pesky automatic negative thoughts.  For this reason, affirmations can be a powerful tool for children who struggle to manage their emotions.  If you’re the child is prone to negative thinking, never fearing.  That’s because we can quickly train our brains to think more positively.

Children who practice a growth mindset, actively filling their minds with positive thoughts, are more willing to strive hard and persevere.  Likewise, they never claim to be in a positive mood.  Either way, it has a ripple effect that can be felt in all areas of life.  For children, this means at home, at school, and in their relationships with others.

How do you teach and explain affirmations to children? 

Parents can empower their children and support social-emotional learning by teaching them about affirmations and how to use them. When using positive affirmations for children, it’s important to find out if the repetitive thoughts are already happening and then encourage them. 

Teach your child that with a little practice and flexibility in their mind muscles, they can choose to think positively as possible.  Here it can be helpful for your child to first know their thoughts and own phrases can be a powerful tool.  It is especially important to remember that specific affirmations that focus on personality and strengths work best.  For example, if your child struggles with self-confidence, you can have them come up with three things they like about themselves.  , e.g.  “I am kind.  I am a hard worker.  I’m funny.  ”  If they have trouble thinking of their qualities, having a list of easy words to choose from can be very helpful. 

There are many resources available digitally, from affirmation lists for kids to free printable affirmations.  You can take some of the affirmations below and write them on flip cards with cute little pictures.

  • I am loved.
  • I listen to my heart.
  • I am safe.
  • I have lots of friends who love me.
  • My dreams are coming true.
  • I am helpful.
  • I am friendly.
  • Every problem has an answer.
  • I am kind.
  • I can do it.
  • I play well with others.
  • I’m intelligent.
  • I learn from my mistakes.
  • I act responsibly.
  • I am calm.
  • I love myself even though I sometimes fail.
  • Every day brings new opportunities.
  • I accept and love myself.
  • I am kind.
  • I am relaxed.
  • I have faith in myself.
  • I am brave.
  • I have trust in myself.
  • I am generous.
  • I am loving it.
  • I meet great decisions.
  • I am kind to all.
  • I am protected.
  • Whatever I do, I give my best.
  • I am exactly where I need to be.
  • I trust in my abilities.
  • I solve problems.
  • I am unique.
  • I have lots of energy.
  • I am peaceful.
  • I can become whatever I want to be.
  • I embrace change.
  • I make friends easily.
  • My intuition is a guide showing me the right direction.
  • I accomplish great results.
  • I have a beautiful imagination.
  • I am confident.
  • I welcome the unfoldment of events.
  • I am caring.
  • I find creative solutions to my problems.
  • I think positive.
  • I am thankful.
  • I am courageous.
  • I am gentle with myself and others.
  • I am whole.
  • I enjoy testing new ideas.
  • I have courage.
  • I have happy thoughts.
  • I forgive others for their mistakes.
  • I reach my goals.
  • Problems are challenges to better me.
  • I get better and better every day.
  • I discover the beauty in everything.
  • I have positive thoughts.
  • I am in charge of my life.
  • All is well.
  • I enjoy discovering something new.
  • My family and friends love me for who I am.
  • I am a good friend to myself.
  • I enjoy learning.
  • I have many good friends.
  • I am very creative.
  • I believe in my abilities.
  • I am persistent.
  • I understand complex problems quickly.
  • I am forgiving.
  • I am honest.
  • I am trustworthy.
  • I always find ways to overcome challenges
  • I am compassionate.
  • I listen to my inner wisdom.
  • I am open to new and exciting possibilities
  • I make friends easily
  • I am growing up well
  • I give freely.
  • I am a good influence on others.
  • I am carrying.
  • I draw inspiration from life and my role models.
  • I am awesome.
  • I have good friends.
  • I am a good friend.
  • I am thoughtful and kind.
  • I enjoy spending time with myself.
  • I am strong, inside and out.
  • I am gentle.
  • I reach for the stars.
  • Miracles happen to me.
  • I am joyful.
  • I am patient.
  • I am brave.
  • I am perfect just the way I am.
  • I keep my body healthy.
  • I enjoy healthy food.
  • I am ready to seize the opportunities of the day.
  • I am awesome.
  • I care about others.
  • I feel joy in every corner of my body.
  • I work hard.
  • Life is fun.
  • I meet the right decisions.
  • I enjoy being cheerful.
  • I am important.
  • I can do anything.
  • I am peaceful.
  • I approve of myself.
  • My heart guides me.
  • I trust my intuition.
  • I am thankful for being who I am.
  • I see the good in myself.
  • I enjoy being happy.
  • I take pleasure in my life.
  • I support others with love and kindness.
  • I enjoy absorbing knowledge like a sponge.
  • I am a winner.
  • I am worthwhile of all the love and happiness in the world.
  • I am proud myself.
  • I take care of my responsibilities.
  • I am beautiful.
  • I like being challenged.
  • I am a bright student.
  • I play an important role in the world.
  • I like myself.
  • I am thoughtful.
  • I trust the wisdom in me.
  • I replace anger with compassion.
  • I am optimistic.
  • I am beautiful.
  • I am excited about the unknown.
  • I am full of energy.
  • I respect other people.
  • I learn from my mistakes.
  • I love my family and friends.
  • I receive all the help that I need.
  • Everything works out just fine.
  • Wonderful and awesome things happen to me.
  • I am kind to others.
  • I enjoy challenging myself.
  • I forgive myself for making a mistake.
  • I believe in myself.
  • I believe in my dreams.
  • I dare to be myself.
  • I am okay with who I am.

Creating affirmations for your kids

The above affirmations can be used to write on cards that are brightly colored and have fun, pretty pictures.  Always make sure to add some sort of inspirational image.  For example, stars, flowers, trees, or animals can be shown.  You can also use scraps of paper instead of pasted patterns on cards.

Even more importantly, involve your children in making confirmation cards.  Don’t forget to ask them for great ideas on how you can improve your endorsements and card design.

Then you can see how much your kids like the cards they make themselves.  As a result, they will be even more excited to flip through their fixed cards and read the affirmations out loud.

How to use affirmations cards?

You can use the affirmations cards you create to:

Pickin a card: Encourage your child to pick a random affirmation card that will repeat for about 3-4 weeks until the next card is picked.

Repeating the Affirmation: Here you have your child read the card out loud 5-10 times.

Make it fun: You must make sure that your child is in a good mood and positively reads the affirmation cards.

Right Time: The best time to let your child read affirmations is in the morning or before bedtime.  During this time, your child’s subconscious is more open to affirmations.

How to use positive affirmations for children

  • You can put post-it notes on your fridge and encourage your child to look at them regularly.
  • Leave notes in their tiffin box with positive affirmations.
  • And you can have painting sessions where they draw these affirmations.  It can be framed and hung on a wall to look good.  Then the child constantly spends time looking at it.
  • You can keep a journal where they write these affirmations and lovingly ask them to do the same for you.
  • Similarly, sit together and spend 5 minutes each day repeating these affirmations.
  • Remind them of these assurances at relevant times.  Then they get into the habit of practicing them.

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