Teaching our children affirmation for kids is a great way to empower them from an early age. It can help shape kids into confident and happy adults.
Personally, I have enjoyed the positive effects of affirmations and have used them to improve different areas of my life.
Although I wish I had learned about them sooner.
However, you and I have the chance to introduce our kids to these powerful statements to help them build strong foundations for their future.
I’ll get into the affirmations in a bit. But before then, I’ll like to share a few useful tips on how to go about teaching your kids this powerful practice.
How to Help Kids with Daily Positive Affirmations
Science shows that young children often believe what parents or adults repeatedly tell them. This is why it is important to affirm positive things to them rather than make unhelpful negative statements.
Repeating positive mantras may be okay for you as an adult or parent. But the idea may sound a bit odd to older kids, especially if they didn’t grow up in homes where parents do this as a regular practice.
This is why you must adopt the right approach when helping your kids accept affirmations and positive self talk as a normal part of their lives.
First, you must practice affirmations yourself.
Let your kids see and hear you repeat positive statements to yourself, and soon enough, they’ll start seeing it as a normal way to live.
While it may not seem obvious, children know when there are changes in your behavior.
Indeed, affirmations can help you create positive changes in your life, whether you are trying to develop good self-esteem, be more loving, or become calmer.
But talk is cheap, right?
You need to first work on your self-esteem or whatever flaws you have before helping your kids. As you are well aware, you simply can’t give what you don’t have.
Once you’ve set the right example, it is time to help your kids choose affirmations. The best way to do this is to take a few minutes every day and read about two to five different affirmations with your child.
Let your kids choose which statements feel right for them– a daily affirmation relevant to their lives. If they are old enough to write, encourage them to write down their daily affirmations in a special book (or journal) and read them out loud as often as possible.
You can also suggest a few affirmations if you think your child needs help with something specific.
Remember to choose affirmations for yourself too and say those positive words out loud in the presence of your child. You can take turns saying your daily affirmations. This way, you are not imposing something on your child. Instead, you are modeling the behavior, and your child will be more open and willing to habituate the practice and positive attitude.
Suggested Ways to Use Affirmations for Kids
Adults tend to approach life too seriously – I know this because it happens to me too often and more than I’m willing to admit.
On the other hand, a young person is usually very playful, even with things adults think they should approach more solemnly.
As you may have figured, kids don’t think that “solemn” is fun. You’re not likely to get them to enjoy affirmations if you adopt a serious, somber attitude or cloak them in negative thinking.
Here are some fun approaches I strongly recommend for parents to adopt when teaching kids about powerful affirmations for a positive outlook.
- Let kids draw or paint their affirmations and bring them to life! They can even frame it and place somewhere special or hang it up on a wall. Each time they see their framed painting or drawing, it is easy for them to repeat the affirmations without anyone telling them to. Moreover, the activity of painting or drawing allows kids to visualize their affirmations and mix them with feelings.
- Leave notes with positive affirmations in your child’s lunch box. Besides reading the note, your child will appreciate and love you more!
- Write out some of your child’s favorite affirmations and place them in strategic locations where they’ll see them easily. You can paste a sticky note on the fridge, computer monitor, or on any item that your child uses frequently.
- Keep an eye out for one or two relevant situations in the day where you can remind them to say their affirmations. This way, they will get into the habit of practicing affirmations in the right circumstances.
- Let your kids read their favorite affirmations out loud while you make an audio recording. They can play the affirmations anytime they want. This can be a useful tool for recording and listening to positive bedtime affirmations right before bed.
- Devote some time every day to sit and repeat positive affirmations with your kids. Make sure to keep the duration short. Five minutes or thereabouts is more than enough. Remember that children have a very short attention span, so make sure you don’t bore them with affirmations.
- Encourage older kids to keep a journal where they can write their favorite affirmations and say them as often as possible.
Okay, now that you know how to help your kids use mantras or powerful statements, here are 101 positive affirmations for kids covering different topics, such as building confidence, self-esteem, and more.
Positive Affirmation for Kids
- Everything will be okay.
- I have inner strength.
- I accept myself for who I am.
- Good things are coming to me.
- I deserve to be happy and loved.
- I enjoy my own company.
- I forgive myself for my mistakes.
- I have a big heart.
- I have a great personality.
- Today is going to be my day.
- I start today with a positive mindset.
- Today, wonderful things are happening to me.
- Today, I choose to think positively.
- Today, I spread positivity.
- Today, I will walk through my fears.
“I Am” Affirmation for Kids
- I am important.
- I am smart.
- I am whole.
- I am an amazing person.
- I am building my future.
- I am open and ready to learn.
- I am in control of my emotions.
- I am a good listener.
- I am beautiful inside and out.
- I am becoming the best version of myself.
- I am capable of so much.
- I am good at solving problems.
- I am making the right choices.
- I am proud of myself.
- I am safe and cared for.
- I am strong and determined.
- I am working on myself.
- I am full of great ideas and thoughts.
- I am healthy and happy.
- I am playful, fun, and creative.
- I am wonderful, just as I am.
“I Can” Affirmation for Kids
- I can be anything I want to be.
- I can change the world one tiny step at a time.
- I can create positive change in the world.
- I can engage in small acts of kindness to uplift other people.
- I can ask for support when I need it.
- I can be assertive without being aggressive.
- I can do anything I put my mind to.
- I can do better next time.
- I can learn anything I put my mind to.
- I can make a difference.
- I can stand up for what I believe in.
- I can take alone time when I need to.
- I can take positive action when something upsets me.
- I can talk to a grown-up when something is bothering me.
- I can control how I respond to others.
- I can choose my own attitude.
- I can choose to think positively.
- I can find things around me that bring joy.
Affirmation for Kids: Develop Healthy Self-Esteem
- I am unique and special.
- I matter.
- It is my character that counts, not my appearance.
- I love myself unconditionally.
- I love myself just as I love others.
- I only compare myself to myself.
- I am a good friend.
- I am appreciated.
- I am brave, creative, and determined.
- I am happy and helpful.
- I am honest, patient, and valued.
- My future is bright.
- My opinion matters and my ideas are valued.
- I have a lot to offer.
- Today, I will shine.
- I stand up for what I believe in.
- I strive to do my best every day.
- I’m fun to be around.
- It is okay to ask for help.
- I trust in my decisions.
- I take responsibility for my actions.
- It is enough to do my best.
- It is okay to be different.
- It is okay not to know everything.
- There is no one better to be than myself.
Affirmation for Kids: Building Confidence
- Today I choose to be confident.
- I have courage and confidence.
- I am a fast learner.
- I do great at school.
- I believe in myself and my abilities.
- I can do anything I set my mind to.
- I feel happy and excited to experience new things.
- I have a strong focus and sharp memory.
- I have amazing abilities.
- I have an unlimited potential within me.
- I have many talents.
- I have the confidence to be myself.
- I have the power to create anything I desire.
- I love making new friends.
- I love to learn new things.
- My life is fun and filled with joy.
- I have the power to make my dreams true.
- I know right from wrong.
- If I fall, I will get back up again.
- I know everything will work out in the end.
- I’m prepared to succeed.
- I’m working at my own pace.
Final Thoughts
Affirmations work, even for kids. Get your child started early, and they’ll thank you for the solid foundation you gave them.
Want more helpful ways to raise your kids? Check out this article on parenting styles.