Did you know using positive affirmations for kids will help you raise teenagers and children with high emotional intelligence and a positive mindset who are far more likely to be successful and confident?
Positive affirmations come from holding positive beliefs and positive thoughts about yourself and they are incredibly powerful for our resilience, confidence and growth. In this post, I am going to explore why using positive daily affirmations for young adults matters and I am going to share a powerful list of positive affirmations that you can start using at home and in your daily conversations to bring about positive changes.
What is an affirmation?
An affirmation is a positive statement or declaration that is often used to encourage and uplift individuals. Affirmations are typically used in the context of self-improvement and personal development to foster a positive mindset and promote a belief in one’s abilities or desired outcomes. The idea is that by repeating positive affirmations, individuals can reprogram their thoughts and beliefs, focusing on what they want to achieve or manifest in their lives.
For example, someone might use affirmations to boost self-confidence, overcome challenges, or attract success. These statements are often framed in the present tense, as if the desired outcome is already happening, and are designed to replace negative or limiting beliefs with positive and empowering ones. Affirmations are simple ways to bring out the best version of yourself.
It’s important to note that while affirmations can be a helpful tool for some individuals, their effectiveness can vary, and they may not be the sole solution for complex challenges. Incorporating affirmations into a broader approach to personal development, along with action and other positive habits, can contribute to a more positive and empowered mindset.
What is a belief?
A belief is a judgement and evaluation that we make about ourselves and others, and they determine our motivation, feelings and actions. A belief is a powerful tool that can be positive or limiting, and those limiting beliefs can really hinder and block our personal development. Young children also need positive phrases in their belief systems as this provides a positive self-image.
As a coach, I understand that there are three pillars that we need to use when helping clients find answers within themselves. We need to work on goals, good values and beliefs. Once we have done this with a client they will be able to move forward and reach their potential, learn new things, have happy thoughts and banish negative self-talk.
How are limiting beliefs created?
Limiting beliefs are those things you believe about yourself that ultimately place limitations on your abilities. They are subconscious thoughts creeping in and telling you something that is ultimately not true. Limiting beliefs tend to occur through two things, firstly they are shaped in our early childhood, by the things we are told and the things we see.
This is why it is so important that parents are aware of this and why we need to model and use positive affirmations for kids regularly.
Secondly, limiting beliefs are created through trauma and lived experiences. We make judgements about ourselves based on an incident that has hurt us and then we attach a label to that and it can become a limiting belief that we take forward with ourselves. This can lead us to think that we are not worthy of love for example.
Thankfully through coaching, we can change our limiting beliefs by reshaping them and realising that the belief is not always true.
We also need to reframe the beliefs into positive beliefs and then create a positive attitude with affirmations.
Positive affirmations for kids and beliefs should always start with I. They should also be said or written in the present tense. This is because we then take ownership of them and they are more powerful. I love using sticky notes and popping them in random places!
Benefits of Positive Affirmations for Kids
Positive affirmations are wonderful things, they help us all with our mental health and wellbeing and they can overcome negative thinking. If we think positively it helps with positive thought patterns. The first time you use them it may feel a little strange but it is an important process, some people practise them in front of the mirror, looking themselves in the eye as this helps to connect with the words and build that inner strength. They need to become part of your daily routine.
I remind students that our voice matters and we would probably never say some of the things we think about ourselves to other people. We can be unkind to ourselves in a way in which we would never treat others. Therefore we need that inner voice to say awesome things about ourselves.
Positive affirmations can help build a child’s confidence and also help in stressful situations.
Positive Affirmations for Kids
Here is a list of positive affirmations for kids that you can use when talking to them. You should also encourage your children to write their own affirmation cards as it is a great way to develop positive thinking. Maybe your child would like to make an affirmation board as it is a fun activity but serves a purpose by eliminating negative thoughts and instead focusing on personal growth.
I love slogan stationery and positive wall art, and in our family home, we have several positive statements which we see and digest daily. This positive self-talk can be subconscious then, which is impactful and a good influence on our growth mindset.
Positive Words and teen affirmations used regularly promote well-being according to many psychologists. They help through the teenage years which can be challenging for many.
1. I have many talents.
2. I am perfect and worthy.
3. I know that making mistakes helps me to grow.
4. I am good at solving problems.
5. I’m not afraid of a challenge.
6. I am smart.
7. I am capable.
8. I am a good friend.
9. I am loved for who I am.
10. I remember that bad feelings come and go.
11. I’m proud of myself.
12. I have a great personality.
13. I am enough.
14. My thoughts and feelings are important.
15. I’m unique and special.
16. I can be assertive without being aggressive.
17. I can stand up for what I believe in.
18. I know right from wrong.
19. It’s my character, not my appearance, that counts.
20. I don’t have to be around anyone who makes me uncomfortable.
21. I can speak up when someone is treating another person poorly.
22. I can learn anything I put my mind to.
23. I can work hard to achieve my goals.
24. It’s OK to take a break.
25. I can create positive change in the world.
26. My body belongs to me and I can set healthy boundaries around it.
27. I have a lot to offer.
28. I can engage in small acts of kindness to uplift other people.
29. It’s OK to ask for help.
30. I am creative.
31. Asking for advice doesn’t make me weak.
32. I love myself just as I love others.
33. It’s OK to feel all of my feelings.
34. Differences make us special.
35. I can turn a bad situation around.
36. I have a big heart.
37. When I’ve done something that I regret, I can take responsibility.
38. I am safe and cared for.
39. I can ask for support.
40. I believe in myself.
41. I have so much to be grateful for.
42. I can make a positive impact on people’s lives.
43. There’s so much more about myself that I’m yet to discover.
44. I’m fun to be around.
45. I can’t control other people, but I can control how I respond to them.
46. I am beautiful.
47. I can release my worries and find a place of calm.
48. I know everything will work out and be OK in the end.
49. I can take positive action when something upsets me.
50. When I pay attention, I can find things around me that bring joy.
51. There are many exciting experiences awaiting me.
52. I don’t have to feel alone.
53. I can respect other people’s boundaries.
54. I don’t have to take it personally when a friend doesn’t want to play or talk.
55. I can take alone time when I need to.
56. I enjoy my own company.
57. I can find humour in the day-to-day.
58. I use my imagination when I’m feeling bored or uninspired.
59. I can ask for the specific kind of help I need.
60. I am likeable.
61. I’m a good listener.
62. The judgment of others won’t stop me from being my authentic self.
63. I can recognize my shortcomings.
64. I can put myself in other people’s shoes.
65. I can cheer myself up when I’m feeling down.
66. My family loves me unconditionally.
67. I love myself unconditionally.
68. There’s nothing I can’t do.
69. Today is a fresh start.
70. I will do great things today.
71. I can advocate for myself.
72. I would want to be my friend.
73. My opinions are valuable.
74. It’s OK to be different.
75. I can respect other people’s opinions, even if I don’t agree.
76. I don’t have to follow the crowd.
77. I’m a good person.
78. I don’t have to be happy all the time.
79. My life is good.
80. I can ask for a hug when I’m sad.
81. When I don’t succeed right away, I can try again.
82. I can talk to a grown-up when something is bothering me.
83. I have many different interests.
84. I can take time to understand my feelings.
85. I’m not ashamed to cry.
86. In fact, I don’t need to be ashamed of anything.
87. I can choose to be around people who appreciate me for who I am.
88. I can relax and be myself.
89. I am willing to learn from my friends and peers.
90. I love my body.
91. I don’t need to compare myself to others.
92. I take care of my physical health because I love myself.
93. I love to learn.
94. I will always do my best.
95. I am strong, inside and out.
96. I am exactly where I need to be.
97. I am patient and calm.
98. I love making new friends.
99. Today is a beautiful day.
100. I love being me.
101. I believe in my dreams.
102. I can and will make good decisions
103. I can make good choices
How to Use Positive Affirmations for Kids
First, you need to have a conversation with your young person and decide which positive affirmations resonate with them. They have to commit and want to believe the affirmation and take ownership of it. Therefore it needs to be ‘their words’. The power of affirmations is in regular use and the words of encouragement need to be practised.
Next, pick out which positive affirmations for kids you’d like to say out loud together. Tailor this to each child, because what one kid needs to hear might be different from the other. For example, if your eldest lacks confidence they may need to hear ‘I’ve got what it takes’ yet if they are shy they may want to focus on “I am brave’.
You could also have the affirmation written up on some nice card and coloured in and put on their wall. It could be made into a bookmark for when they are reading. Positive affirmations can be used in so many creative ways. Some choose to use morning affirmations and say them before breakfast as this can help set you up for a great day.
More Resources For Empowering Young People
My post 55 Role Models for Teenagers is a hugely popular post; telling your children and teenagers about some of these role models will inspire and motivate them to do well. It helps us to realise that there are many good people in the world and this post can be the perfect way to find new role models.
If you’d like 12 free printable affirmations for kids to colour in click this post. The daily positive affirmations can be coloured and put on display somewhere. These are self-esteem-boosting affirmations.
If your teenager is struggling and could benefit from coaching or exploring what they want in life then I am available for 1:1 Lightbulb Package where we shine a light on their life and set explore their beliefs, values and goals for the future and how they can start to move positively towards them.
