"you can do it" affirmation for kids

100+ Morning Affirmations for Kids That Will Inspire Your Little One In Any Situation!

Affirmations can be used for all ages with little to no experience required. Introducing morning affirmations for kids can help your child create a positive mindset while redirecting negative self-talk and instilling confidence.

Affirmations are a tool that can be taken with you wherever you go, and drawing on these positive statements during difficult situations can help your little one remember their unique capabilities.

Keep reading to find out how to make your own affirmations, how to use affirmations, and what some of the benefits of daily affirmations can be! 

What are affirmations?

Affirmations are statements that can be used repeatedly to find mental focus, clarity, redirect one’s attention, and build a positive mindset. Daily affirmations are a simple tool that can be practiced anytime and anywhere, and they can be spoken aloud or repeated internally.

Repeating positive affirmations can even have an effect on the brain, rewriting one’s relationship with feelings, people, one’s body, health, beliefs, and more!

The great part about affirmations is that they are also limitless and can be customized or created to fit any situation. These short phrases and statements may begin like:

  • “I am…” 
  • “I open myself to…” 
  • “I let go of…”
  • “I know…”
  • “I will…”
  • “I am grateful for…”
  • “I trust that…”

Affirmations should remind your child of the amazing person they are, so take a few moments to sit down with them and help them write down their strengths, talents, and skills. Affirmations can also be used to overcome challenges by saying “I can…” reframing limiting beliefs of “I can’t…” to reach new heights.

two kids playing superhero

How do kids benefit from positive affirmations?

There’s no need to convince you that morning affirmations for kids are a beneficial tool for your child, just checkout the research below!

Several scientific studies have explored the potential benefits of practicing affirmations, including:

Improved Self-Esteem: A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychoogy found that practicing self-affirmation, which involves focusing on one's values and strengths, can improve self-esteem and reduce negative self-talk.

  • Reduced Stress: Research has shown that affirmations can reduce stress and anxiety levels. A study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology found that practicing affirmations for eight weeks led to reduced stress and improved mental health.
  • Improved Self-Esteem: A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that practicing self-affirmation, which involves focusing on one's values and strengths, can improve self-esteem and reduce negative self-talk.
  • Enhanced Physical Performance: A study published in the International Journal of Psychophysiology found that positive self-talk, including affirmations, can improve physical performance during tasks such as cycling and running.
  • Increased Goal Attainment: A study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that participants who practiced affirmations were more likely to achieve their goals than those who did not.
  • Improved Academic Performance: Research has shown that practicing affirmations can improve academic performance. A study published in the Journal of Social Psychology found that students who repeated affirmations before a test performed better than those who did not.

Some studies even demonstrate that affirmations can impact the creation and functioning of our neural pathways in the brain. Neural pathways in the brain are the connection formed between neurons that allows neurotransmission to take place and the brain to send signals and messages throughout the rest of the body.

  1. A study published in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience found that self-affirmation can lead to increased activity in the medial prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain associated with self-referential processing and positive self-views.
  2. Another study published in the journal Brain and Behavior found that practicing self-affirmation can lead to changes in the default mode network of the brain, a set of brain regions involved in self-reflection and introspection.
  3. A third study, published in the journal Nature, found that the brain is capable of changing and rewiring itself throughout life, a process known as neuroplasticity. While this study did not specifically examine the effects of affirmations, it provides evidence that the brain is capable of adapting and changing in response to experience and behavior.

Overall, using morning affirmations for kids is a simple way to help your little one expand their mind beyond their perceived limits, with little effort or time commitment. 

How to Use Positive Affirmations for Kids

The best way to create a new habit is to tag it onto an existing one. Invite your little one to practice morning affirmations for kids while they take a shower, get dressed in the morning, eat their breakfast, or on the way to school.

While it’s great to start your day with a positive and empowered mindset, affirmations can also be practiced at any time. Have your little one write down their favorite affirmations on sticky notes or note cards that they can slip into their backpack or lunch box, or pin up around the house. 

mom and daughter before daughter goes to school

Another powerful way to practice daily affirmations is in front of a mirror where your little one can see themselves repeat the words—almost as if they’re sending a message directly back to themself with love.

Writing down affirmations in a journal can also provide a safe space for your child to come back to over and over again, where they can re-read these statements to themself in moments of distress or challenge.

Positive Morning Affirmations for Kids

Checkout these morning affirmations for kids designed to help build confidence, self-esteem, and lead them to succeed!

Positive Affirmations for Kids About Confidence

  1. I am capable of handling whatever comes my way.
  2. I am capable of achieving great things.
  3. I believe in myself and my abilities.
  4. I am confident in my decisions.
  5. I trust myself to make the right choices.
  6. I am brave and can face any challenge.
  7. I am unique and special in my own way.
  8. I am proud of who I am and what I can do.
  9. I am strong and can handle anything that comes my way.
  10. I am worthy of love and respect.
  11. I am comfortable with who I am and how I look.
  12. I am intelligent and have a lot to offer.
  13. I am confident in my skills and talents.
  14. I am powerful and in control of my life.
  15. I have a positive attitude and outlook on life.
  16. I am confident in my ability to learn and grow.
  17. I am resilient and can bounce back from any setback.
  18. I have the courage to speak up for myself and others.
  19. I am confident in my ability to make friends.
  20. I am capable of handling anything that comes my way.
  21. I am confident in my ability to make a positive impact on the world.
  22. I am confident in my ability to achieve my goals.
  23. I trust my instincts and intuition.
  24. I am comfortable expressing my thoughts and feelings.
  25. I am confident in my ability to overcome obstacles.
  26. I am a valuable and important person.
  27. I have a lot to offer and contribute to the world.
  28. I am capable of achieving my dreams.
  29. I am confident in my ability to try new things.
  30. I am worthy of success and happiness.
  31. I have unique talents and abilities that make me special.
  32. I am deserving of love and respect from myself and others.
  33. I am confident in my ability to solve problems.
  34. I am capable of making a positive difference in the world.
  35. I am proud of my accomplishments and achievements.

Positive Affirmations for Kids About Self-Esteem

  1. I love and accept myself for who I am.
  2. I am proud of myself and my accomplishments.
  3. I am worthy of love and respect.
  4. I am confident in my own abilities.
  5. I am comfortable with who I am and how I look.
  6. I am unique and special in my own way.
  7. I am deserving of happiness and success.
  8. I have a lot to offer the world.
  9. I am capable of achieving my goals and dreams.
  10. I am worthy of love and affection from others.
  11. I am important and valued for who I am.
  12. I am kind and compassionate towards myself.
  13. I am deserving of forgiveness and second chances.
  14. I am confident in my ability to make the right choices.
  15. I am deserving of self-care and self-love.
  16. I am proud of my strengths and accomplishments.
  17. I am confident in my ability to learn and grow.
  18. I am deserving of respect from others.
  19. I am capable of overcoming challenges and obstacles.
  20. I am deserving of success and happiness.
  21. I am proud of who I am becoming.
  22. I am confident in my ability to handle difficult situations.
  23. I am deserving of positive relationships and friendships.
  24. I am unique and special, and that makes me valuable.
  25. I am deserving of positive attention and praise.
  26. I am capable of achieving my dreams and goals.
  27. I am confident in my ability to create a positive future for myself.
  28. I am deserving of love and kindness from myself and others.
  29. I am worthy of happiness and joy in my life.
  30. I am proud of myself for trying new things and stepping outside my comfort zone.
  31. I am confident in my ability to make a positive impact on the world.
  32. I am deserving of success and recognition for my hard work and efforts.
  33. I am capable of handling any challenge that comes my way.
  34. I am deserving of respect and understanding from others.
  35. I am confident in my ability to love and accept myself unconditionally.

Positive Affirmations for Kids About Success

  1. I am capable of achieving great things.
  2. I am confident in my abilities to succeed.
  3. I am worthy of success and happiness.
  4. I am willing to work hard to achieve my goals.
  5. I am focused and determined to reach my goals.
  6. I am deserving of recognition for my hard work and achievements.
  7. I am successful in all areas of my life.
  8. I have the skills and talents to achieve my dreams.
  9. I am capable of overcoming any obstacle to achieve success.
  10. I am deserving of abundance and prosperity.
  11. I am committed to achieving my goals and dreams.
  12. I am confident in my ability to make the right choices to achieve success.
  13. I am willing to take risks to achieve my goals.
  14. I am successful in all that I do.
  15. I am deserving of respect and admiration for my achievements.
  16. I am grateful for the opportunities that come my way to achieve success.
  17. I am confident in my ability to create a successful future for myself.
  18. I am worthy of achieving my biggest dreams and goals.
  19. I am confident in my ability to turn challenges into opportunities for success.
  20. I am deserving of the rewards that come with success.
  21. I am willing to learn from my mistakes to achieve greater success.
  22. I am capable of achieving my goals through hard work and dedication.
  23. I am focused on achieving my goals and dreams.
  24. I am confident in my ability to overcome any obstacle and achieve success.
  25. I am deserving of success in all areas of my life.
  26. I am committed to living a life of success and abundance.
  27. I am willing to put in the time and effort to achieve my goals.
  28. I am confident in my ability to achieve my goals, no matter how big they may be.
  29. I am deserving of the happiness and fulfillment that comes with success.
  30. I am grateful for the opportunities that come my way to achieve success.
  31. I am capable of achieving anything I set my mind to.
  32. I am focused on creating a successful future for myself.
  33. I am willing to take action towards achieving my goals and dreams.
  34. I am confident in my ability to achieve my goals through hard work and determination.
  35. I am deserving of the success and happiness that comes from achieving my goals.

Conclusion

Morning affirmations for kids start your child’s day on a positive note and invite them to believe in themselves and remember their capabilities. Affirmations for kids are specific statements geared towards situations or experiences that children might go through as they are growing up.

Ultimately, repeating these statements can help your child build a healthy relationship with their body, mind, and emotions, while also boosting self-esteem and self-confidence. 

Morning affirmations for kids can help your little one build new neural pathways, rewriting their way of thinking and changing their outlook on life to optimize their potential and future success. 

happy and confident kid

While studies have suggested that it can take anywhere from several weeks to several months of consistent practice to form new neural pathways in the brain, a study published in the journal Neuropsychologia found that it took about six weeks of consistent practice for participants to develop new neural connections in the brain related to a specific cognitive task.

The length of time it takes to build new neural pathways in the brain can vary depending on a variety of factors, such as the complexity of the skill being learned, the intensity and frequency of practice, and individual differences in your child’s unique brain structure.

It’s important to remember that the brain is constantly changing and rewiring itself throughout life and as a result implementing simple daily practices like morning affirmations for kids can have a significant impact on your child in the long run.

Overall, affirmations can change lives by teaching your little ones to reorient their attitudes in the direction of their dreams and highest potential.

For Further Reading:

  1. Sherman, D. K., Nelson, L. D., & Steele, C. M. (2000). Do messages about health risks threaten the self? Increasing the acceptance of threatening health messages via self-affirmation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79(5), 771-784. doi: 10.1037//0022-3514.79.5.771
  2. Creswell, J. D., & Lindsay, E. K. (2014). How does self-affirmation improve academic performance? Testing two potential mechanisms. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 40(3), 391-402. doi: 10.1177/0146167213511432
  3. Hatzigeorgiadis, A., Zourbanos, N., Mpoumpaki, S., & Theodorakis, Y. (2009). Mechanisms underlying the self-talk–performance relationship: The effects of motivational self-talk on self-confidence and anxiety. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 10(1), 186-192. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2008.07.002
  4. Koole, S. L., Smeets, K., van Knippenberg, A., & Dijksterhuis, A. (1999). The cessation of rumination through self-affirmation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 77(1), 111-125. doi: 10.1037//0022-3514.77.1.111
  5. Cohen, G. L., Garcia, J., Purdie-Vaughns, V., Apfel, N., & Brzustoski, P. (2016). Recursive processes in self-affirmation: Intervening to close the minority achievement gap. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 111(5), 717–742. doi:10.1037/pspa0000065
  6. Cascio, C. N., O'Donnell, M. B., Tinney, F., Lieberman, M. D., Taylor, S. E., & Strecher, V. J. (2016). Self-affirmation activates the ventral medial prefrontal cortex: A fMRI study using a novel self-affirmation task. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 11(4), 621-629. doi: 10.1093/scan/nsw003
  7. Schiller, D., Monfils, M.-H., Raio, C. M., Johnson, D. C., LeDoux, J. E., & Phelps, E. A. (2010). Preventing the return of fear in humans using reconsolidation update mechanisms. Nature, 463(7277), 49-53. doi: 10.1038/nature08637
  8. Buonomano, D. V., & Merzenich, M. M. (1998). Cortical plasticity: From synapses to maps. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 21(1), 149-186. doi: 10.1146/annurev.neuro.21.1.149
  9. Draganski, B., Gaser, C., Busch, V., Schuierer, G., Bogdahn, U., & May, A. (2004). Neuroplasticity: Changes in grey matter induced by training. Nature, 427(6972), 311-312. doi: 10.1038/427311a

Bio

Sav Lucia is a Holistic Educator and Writer based in the United Kingdom. She has worked with top tier companies like Hello Alfred and Wellness Coach Live applying the insights of modern science to the fields of consciousness so individuals can better understand their behavior and how it impacts the world around them.

Sav Lucia

Editor-in-Chief of the magazine

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