Affirmations: How to help your child develop a positive mindset

Last year was an exceptionally challenging year for all of us – even more so for our young kids who didn’t always fully understand what was happening in this strange new world around them.

There was a lot of negativity and uncertainty last year created by all the lockdowns and restrictions, and this had a huge impact on young kids. You think that you can hide your feelings from your kids, but chances are that they picked up on your anxieties and negative feelings.

Now is the time to start fostering a positive mindset in your child. From the look of things and the spike in the second wave of COVID-19 infections, chances are that 2021 will also be a really difficult year.

Why you should give your child positive affirmations 

• Affirmations help to encourage a positive thought pattern and build a growth mindset.
• Positive affirmations are a form of positive self-talk. When your child repeats the affirmations often enough, the positivity can help boost her self-esteem and self-confidence.
• By beginning to think more positively, your child can begin to believe in herself and work towards her individual potential.

14 Positive affirmations you can teach your toddler

1. I am strong
2. I am confident
3. I am worthy
4. I am capable
5. I am kind
6. I am brave
7. I am a wonderful friend
8. I am helpful
9. I am unique
10. I spread joy
11. I am a good listener
12. I am talented
13. I am creative
14. I am loved and loveable

What affirmations does my child need to hear?

The first step is to identify the areas where your child feels she is ‘lacking’ and then pick one or two affirmations to say every day.

• Stand in front of the mirror with your child and say your affirmation out loud. For example, “I am brave” and then get your child to repeat the words after you. The more you do these affirmations, the more confident your child will get and she’ll begin saying them on her own and believing them. Make sure she makes eye contact with herself in the mirror.
• You can also say the affirmations with your child while the two of you look at each other – once again it’s important to encourage eye contact.
• If your child can read, you can create flashcards. Get your child to write down the affirmations herself as this can reinforce the affirmation in her mind.
• Make affirmations a part of your child’s daily routine – whether it’s while they are brushing their teeth, helping you prepare dinner, or in the car on the way to school or the shops.