Positive Affirmations for Kids

Positive affirmations can help children develop a positive self-image and boost their self-esteem. By regularly repeating affirmations that focus on their strengths and abilities, children can develop a resilient and optimistic mindset that can help them navigate challenges and setbacks with greater confidence and positivity.

Taking a little time out of your day to do positive affirmations for and with your kids can make a huge difference in their lives. A good affirmation is quick and poignant. It reassures you that you are capable, kind, and worthy in some specific way, and that you deserve to be happy and successful. Children who believe in positive affirmations feel more capable, are more likely to try new things, evidence less anxiety, and appear more willing to put forth efforts on their own behalf. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know to help your young person get into positive affirmations for kids and give you plenty to start with, so you can begin immediately.

What are Affirmations?

Affirmations are specific phrases you repeat to yourself regularly. Two of the most common affirmations people use today are “I can do this,” or “I got this.” Though few people think of those simple words as important, doing positive self-affirmation can help prevent negative thinking, improve focus and help you succeed at difficult or dull tasks.

There are many types of affirmations. Positive, self-worth-style affirmations are the most common. Some people use calming affirmations, which can be especially helpful if you have high blood pressure or are prone to anxiety. The difference between a casual ‘I can do it’ and the practice of doing positive affirmations is all about your intention. We’ll offer suggestions to help you choose the right affirmations for your child.

How to Use Positive Affirmations for Kids

Learning how to use positive affirmations for kids only takes a few minutes, though it may take a little longer to select the best phrases with your child, depending on their needs. It’s important to have them repeat things that not only make them feel good but have specific relevance to their unique situation. After all, saying ‘I can be a big help in the kitchen’ isn’t going to make much difference to a child who needs to learn to speak up or try new things. Practicing positive affirmations doesn’t take long. With as little as a single phrase and a few seconds at a time, your child can help turn their frown upside down and ditch self-defeatist thinking.

Tips for Picking The Right Positive Affirmation for Your Kids

Any positive statement can be an affirmation. However, for those who are new to this practice, that may feel a little overwhelming. Here’s how to narrow it down.

Identify areas of difficulty. You can and should tailor positive affirmations for kids to the areas where they need more confidence, calmness and other areas where they tend toward negative thinking.

• Use the words that best represent your goals and ideals.
• Get specific and choose affirmations that will help your child with their struggles.
• Make a list of your favorites or top choices to narrow down the selections.
• Every child is unique. If you have more than one kid, make sure they each have their own set of affirmations.
• Start small. Don’t overwhelm your kids with a ton of different affirmations and time requirements for when to use them. Pick a few that work and either say them together a couple of times a day or have them say them to themselves when they feel the need.
• If it doesn’t work, get rid of it. This applies twofold. First, feel free to stop using any affirmations that aren’t right or helpful. Second, you can use this as a way to discuss and help them cut out negative statements like ‘I can’t’ or ‘I’m afraid.’

Benefits of Positive Affirmations for Kids

Anyone can reap the rewards of daily affirmations. The benefits of positive affirmations for kids are surprising; best of all, there’s no risk or downside to trying them out. However, it’s important not to expect immediate results. While there are no formal medical studies on how long it takes to give yourself a permanent boost with affirmations, you should expect it to take a few days to a few weeks before the lessons and practice begin to have a notable impact. Here are some of the most exciting benefits to look out for so you know it’s working.

• Self-Confidence– Perhaps the most important aspect of affirmations is that they help increase confidence, not only in the specific area you are addressing but also in your child’s overall demeanor.
• Growth Mindset– A fixed mindset could also be called a closed mind. This attitude takes the stance that you never get smarter or change much, but rather you are who you are in a mostly unchanging way. Meanwhile, the growth mindset is one of hope and the belief that everything can get better, improve and otherwise go well for you.
• Reduce Negativity and Fear– Adding confidence and a growth mindset helps offset other negative emotions and reactions like anger, doubt, and especially fear. If all your child says to themselves is that they can’t do things or they are too afraid to try, then that will be their experience because it’s what they believe and reinforce. Positive affirmations can and do quite literally change our minds about what is possible and likely.
• Calming– Anxiety and anger can have a profound effect on your ability to stay calm. Self-calming through affirmations is a form of learned self-control that your child can improv upon daily.
• Focus– Intrusive thoughts, particularly negative ones, impact how well a person stays on task. The more time you spend resentful, angry, afraid you’ll fail or fearful about repercussions, the less you do to prevent those situations. Reminding yourself that you can and will do necessary things, and complete tasks is another benefit of positive affirmations. Think of “The Little Engine That Could.” Your child can train themselves to persevere and apply themselves to tasks better with similar positive affirmations.
• Belief– Once your child begins to see some of the benefits of doing positive affirmations, they will also believe in their own ability to change. That belief is a powerful tool that can help them throughout their lives.
• Quality of Life– No one likes feeling miserable, frightened, upset, or embarrassed. When your child changes their perspective to a growth mindset and believes in their own potential, they will also be happier, more satisfied, joyful, and experience a better quality of life.

Positive Affirmations for Kids

We’ve created several targeted lists of kids affirmations. You’ll find dozens of options to get your children started right away. Remember to have them say these phrases when they need it, or have them go over their top choices a couple of times a day to build confidence and reduce unpleasant and intrusive thoughts. Working with your kids to pick out the affirmations that make them feel good and ring true for their situation can help keep them interested and give them a sense of connection to the words.

Morning Affirmations for Kids

The simple mantras below will help your child start the day right. When they first begin practicing positive affirmations, it helps to say these phrases with your children. Repeat them every morning and pay close attention to how your child says the words. Are they nervous or doubtful? If so, tell them to say it louder and really mean it. Let little ones yell their affirmations if it makes them happy.

• Today is going to be wonderful
• The world needs me
• Today I will do my best
• I can change the/my world
• Today is my day
• My best is always enough
• Today will be easier than yesterday
• No one is too little or to young to make a difference
• Today I will do one act of kindness
• I can help others with my kindness
• Today I am in charge of my feelings
• This is my time to shine
• Today I will do great in school
• I will make a new friend today
• Today is the best day ever
• I can handle anything today
• Today I can do (something they have a hard time with)
• I can do important things
• Today I will teach someone else how to (do something they love)
• I matter and people love me
• Today is a happy day
• I am allowed to talk about my feelings
• Today I will relax and breathe if I feel upset or scared
• I am allowed to be my best
• I don’t have to win to have fun

Daily Affirmations for Kids

Here is a simple list of short daily affirmations for kids who need a little extra boost.

• I am amazing
• I am healthy
• It’s a great time to be me
• I am happy
• Every day I get smarter
• I am capable
• Every day I get stronger
• I rock
• I can be myself
• I can do more today than I did yesterday
• I love being me
• I can do anything I set my mind to
• I can create anything
• Challenges only make me better/stronger/smarter
• I am smart
• Nothing can stop me
• I am my own superhero
• I will make someone smile today
• I am a winner
• I am a problem solver

Evening Affirmations for Kids

Before bed is a great time for a kid to say a few more positive things to themselves. If your kids have trouble sleeping or have nightmares, wet the bed or worry about monsters, a few affirmations can calm their minds, raise their spirits and make it easier to get the sleep they need to feel rested tomorrow.

• I am in charge of my dreams
• Nothing can keep me from sleeping tonight
• I am not afraid of (the dark/monsters/bad dreams)
• I will wake up tomorrow feeling great
• I deserve to rest
• I did my very best today
• I can take care of my body
• I remembered everything important today
• I will make it through tonight without (getting up too often/wetting the bed/etc.)
• Tonight I will have beautiful dreams

Positive Affirmations for Kids about Confidence

Building confidence can be tricky. Affirmations for kids about confidence need to be simple and targeted to the areas where they have the hardest time trying or succeeding at tasks. From self-love to homework, any of these affirmations can make your child feel more ready to take on the world.

• I can tackle any challenge
• I can talk to people
• I can listen and learn new things
• I am valuable
• I am loved
• People want to hear my opinions
• There is nothing in my way
• I can fix any problem I have
• I know how to stop and breathe when I feel stressed or frustrated
• I am the best kid for the job
• Everything I do helps me learn and grow
• I can always ask a question
• I can learn anything
• I can try new things
• I love myself
• I deserve love and attention
• I can do scary things
• I can do hard things
• I will achieve my dreams
• I am creative
• I am artistic
• I am a scientist
• I have faith
• I believe in myself
• I am my own best cheerleader- Go Me!!!

Final Thoughts

Positive affirmations for kids can help anyone get through a rough patch, overcome difficulties and thrive. While words alone may not ‘fix’ every situation and should never be used to replace a genuine medical diagnosis, practicing affirmations regularly can help your kids develop a positive, confident mindset that will benefit them for years to come. Take your time finding the best phrases for your child, and work with them. It may take a while before the changes truly take root, but when they do, it will benefit your child and everyone around them in profound ways. Your kids deserve to feel positive about themselves, their abilities, and what the future holds.