10 Inspiring Positive Affirmations for Children

Listen to the article:

The scientific evidence behind positive affirmations has shown that our thoughts and emotions help to shape the brain and will eventually create our habits. This process is an integral part of the belief system.

The belief system is developed during the early stages of childhood and in fact, is the foundation that affects the way we live. As such, if we learn negative beliefs, we’ll have more frequent negative thoughts. According to neuroscience, the beliefs and thoughts that we place our attention on actually prompts the brain to produce chemicals that match our feelings with those thoughts. So, ultimately thoughts induce behaviors. Therefore, teaching your children how to have a positive attitude will enable them to have good self-esteem and confidence.

Below are ten positive affirmations to teach your children:

#1 I enjoy learning new things.

#2 There is an answer to every problem.

#3 I am a kind and friendly person.

#4 I have nice friends who love me.

#5 I can help make a difference in things that matter to me.

#6 Mistakes are opportunities for me to learn.

#7 I can do it, no matter how hard it is.

#8 I am in control of my feelings.

#9 I am unique.

#10 I believe in myself.

How Affirmations Work

As parents we can encourage our children again and again, telling them how kind, intelligent, or talented they are, but their internal belief system is what will get them through life.

Speaking positive affirmations help to retrain the brain. Learning something new and making it a habit takes approximately twenty-one days, after which time, the brain has formed new neural pathways that correlate with the positive thoughts. Affirmations should be spoken every day, preferably the same time each day, which solidifies it until it becomes a ritual. You can help your child create affirmations that resonate and focus on a specific outcome.

In order for positive affirmations to work, there are three primary elements, which include language, tactic, and application.

• Language: Affirmations should always be written and spoken in either the present or future tense. Most often, affirmations begin with “I am.” This is beneficial because in Sanskrit it translates to “Om,” which has been shown to improve health and alleviate harmful affects.
• Tactic: While speaking the affirmation, try to visualize it and imagine the feelings as if it is currently true, which helps form and solidify the new neural connections.
• Application: Saying the positive affirmations and working to believe this is the final and most important step. Initially it may seem fake and pointless, but with consistency, the brain will begin making the necessary changes.

Age will help determine how in-depth the visualization technique goes. But at the very least, teach your children to say the affirmations while looking at their reflection in a mirror. As silly as it might seem to them at first, it does work, and when you teach your children about their importance and how to use them, they will be equipped to construct any type of affirmation needed throughout life, which is useful in overcoming the more difficult challenges we face as adults, such as not getting hired for a job, experiencing their first breakup, or anything else life tosses their way.

Thought Starters:

• The Power of Positive Thinking: Have you ever noticed how positive thinking can make you feel better when you're facing a problem or feeling down?
• Building Self-Confidence: How do you think feeling confident about yourself can help you in everyday life, like at school or when making new friends?
• Daily Affirmations: Imagine if you had a secret weapon that could help you feel happier and more confident. What do you think that secret weapon might be?

Suggested Questions To Ask Your Child:

• What do you think it means to be confident? How would you describe a confident person?

This question encourages the child to express their understanding of confidence and allows parents to assess their child's perception of confidence and confident individuals.

• Can you share an experience from your life when you felt really good about yourself or something you achieved?

By asking about a personal experience, parents can help their child reflect on moments of confidence and self-esteem, fostering self-awareness.

• How do you think parents can help their children feel more confident in themselves?

This question prompts discussion about the parental role in building confidence and allows the child to express their thoughts on how parents can support them.

• Do you think it's okay to make mistakes? Why or why not? How do you feel when you make a mistake?

This question explores the child's attitude toward mistakes and provides insight into their emotional response, fostering discussions on learning from errors.

• What are some activities or hobbies you enjoy doing that make you feel confident or proud of yourself?

By discussing activities that boost confidence, parents can gain insight into their child's interests and achievements, reinforcing positive experiences.

• How do you think positive self-talk can make a difference in how you feel and what you achieve? Can you share an example?

This question encourages the child to consider the impact of positive self-talk on their feelings and accomplishments and provides an opportunity to share personal examples.

• Do you have any role models or people you admire for their confidence? What qualities do you admire in them?

Exploring role models and admired qualities promotes discussion on the attributes and behaviors associated with confidence in others.

• Can you think of a time when you were afraid to try something new or challenging? How did you overcome that fear, or what could you do to overcome it in the future?

Encouraging the child to reflect on their experiences with fear and challenges and consider strategies for overcoming them promotes resilience and problem-solving skills.