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125 Positive Affirmations for Kids to Skyrocket Strength, Confidence and Self-Love

Positive affirmations are a powerful tool for kids to boost their confidence and self-esteem. These 125 affirmations for kids can be pull out daily, or whenever your child needs a little reminder of how important they are.

Read on to see how science backs the use of affirmations for children, and then grab your free positive affirmation printable at the end of this post.

Child's hand holding pencil and working on worksheet - part of a Positive Affirmations for kids post
Positive affirmations can be used with students to promote better mental health, higher confidence, resilience, and healthy self-esteem

“I don’t understand my math problems at all and now my day is ruined!”. 

My 10-year-old daughter tends to be a bit of a ‘black and white’ thinker.

In her quickly moving mind, most situations are deemed either all good or all bad within a matter of seconds, and she struggles to see the grey possibilities that exist in-between. 

Negative thinking patterns (referred to as thought distortions in the psychology community) are common for many children, especially the ones that come into the world hard-wired with a temperament that is more prone to anxiety or sensitivity. 

The truth is, due to our survival instincts and negativity bias, all humans both big and small get stuck in negative thinking from time to time. 

Read >> 10 Ways to ACTUALLY show Your Child Unconditional Love

Luckily, science has shown us that we have an extremely powerful strategy at our fingertips to help not only decrease negative thinking but to promote better mental health, higher confidence, resilience, and healthy self-esteem.

What is this magical antidote to negative thought patterns that have been shown to contribute to anxiety and depression? Positive affirmations for kids. 

3 Things Science Says About Using Positive Affirmations for Kids

Using affirmations to practice positive thinking can turn your day around

In many ways, the brain is still a mystery, but we know a ton more now than even 10 or 20 years ago. If you ask most mental health professionals they’d likely agree that one of the most amazing things we now know about our brain and mental health is what’s known as the thoughts-feelings-actions connection.

Essentially, with brain imaging, we’re able to see that when your child has a thought it directly communicates with the emotional area of the brain. Essentially, your emotions take shape based on your thoughts.

In turn, your emotions then affect your outward actions and behaviors. 

In summary, the most positive thoughts your child has, the better they’ll feel, and the better their day will go! 

Affirmations for kids strengthens the ‘control center’ of the brain

When your child intentionally replaces a negative thought with a more positive one, they’re actually strengthening their brain, and here’s why. 

When your child is stuck in a negative thought loop, they are likely operating out of their amygdala, or the brain’s emotion center.

Related read>> 95 Magical Encouraging Words for Kids (For EVERY Situation!)

This is a healthy and important part of the brain for many reasons, but it’s not the part of the brain we want to be living out of the majority of the time because we want to mostly live in our rational, logical thinking brain (our pre-frontal cortex) where we are fully conscious and present. 

When your child uses affirmations for kids they are literally disengaging their ’emotion brain’ and re-activating the part of the brain responsible for problem-solving, impulse control and emotional regulation. Pretty amazing!

Affirmations with kids builds lifelong resilience

It’s all too easy to get sucked into negative thinking spirals when we’re in stressful situations or environments throughout our lives. 

It’s healthy and essential for your child to identify and express their emotions, but it’s not helpful to stay stuck in them for extended periods. 

Thanks to a concept known as neuroplasticity, new neuropathways in the brain are created every time your child puts intention into their thoughts.

For instance, when I re-direct my daughter with a more positive thought to replace her negative one and she’s able to repeat it several times herself, a new neuro pathway is created.

The more your child practices intentional positive thought, the easier time their neurons will have traveling this path in the future.

Essentially you’re helping your child build a neurological on-ramp to resilience on the ‘highway’ of their future challenges! 

125 Positive Affirmations for Kids for Every Situation!

Happy girl throwing balloon in the air - part of a positive affirmations for children article

To Build Confidence

I can do great things.

I can try my best.

I can find positives in any given situation.

I’m always growing my knowledge and learning. 

I’m intelligent in many ways. 

I’ve overcome challenges before and I can do it again.

I practice things to grow my skills.

It’s ok to not be good at everything!

I’ve got what it takes.

I am powerful.

Affirmations To Grow Self-Love

I am enough.

I am unique in many ways.

I have special gifts to give my community.

I will use kind thoughts and words about myself.

I know that I have value as a person.

I am on this planet for a reason.

I don’t need to be perfect to be worthy. 

I am grateful for who I am.

There is no one else in the world quite like me!

I am deeply loved by those around me.

I find my worth on what’s inside my heart, not what’s on the outside.

I’m proud of myself and who I am.

To Teach Healthy Boundaries 

I can say no if I’m uncomfortable.

I’m the boss of my body.

I can be firm and kind with my words.

It’s ok to speak up if someone is being treated unfairly.

I can let others know what touch feels good or bad.

If someone is being unsafe I will go ask for help.

I will choose to be around others that make me feel comfortable and safe.

I do not need to stay somewhere I feel unsafe.

I can respect others’ boundaries.

It’s ok to set my own boundaries. 

I can only control myself, not others.

Smiling girl holding her hair as illustrating a daily positive affirmations for kids list

Motivation Affirmations

I am a hard worker.

I can do hard things. 

I can learn whatever I put my mind to.

If I’m overwhelmed I can take a break and come back.

I set goals I want to achieve.

Positive thinking is a choice I make. 

Learning and growing aren’t easy, but it is worth it.

I can be a leader in my own way.

There is a time to push myself and a time to rest. 

I can create new positive and healthy habits for myself. 

All I need to do is take the first step.

Kindness Affirmations for Kids

I can be kind even when it’s hard.

A small ripple of kindness can move around the world.

My words leave an imprint on other’s hearts.

I can choose to bring joy to the people around me.

I’m learning to communicate respectfully with others.

I can do kind things without being asked.

Including someone is a bold act of kindness. 

I can try to learn and understand how others think and feel.

Kindness is contagious.

I talk to myself with the same kindness I do a friend. 

My actions show others that I value and care about them.

Affirmations for Resilience

I can persevere when things get hard. 

Mistakes are invitations to learn something new!

Challenges help me to learn and grow.

It’s ok to ask others for help when I’m overwhelmed.

I am able to find small things to be grateful for. 

I will not crumble in the face of challenges.

Even professionals have to start somewhere. 

I take responsibility for my mistakes.

I can turn a ‘bad day’ around!

What I believe about myself is more important than what others believe about me. 

When I fall I will get back up, and try again!

Inner Strength Affirmations for Kids

I’m on this planet for a purpose.

I have unique strengths all my own.

I explore new activities to find hobbies I love.

I have inner beauty.

I listen to my intuition, or the little voice inside that guides me.

I’m only beginning to discover what lies inside of me!

Each day is a new opportunity to learn more about myself.

I’m in this world to make a difference.

I’m capable of way more than I know. 

I don’t have to ‘prove myself’ to anyone. 

With love as my foundation, I can do anything!

student working on activity with paints and markers as to illustrate kids keeping active while incorporating positive affirmations into their day

Peace and Calm Affirmations

I can find peace inside myself. 

I can only control myself.

I can breathe to bring peace to my body.

I can forgive others. 

I can talk out disagreements calmly.

I can take quiet time when I need it. 

I’m discovering what activities bring my mind and body peace.

I let go of the past so I can be fully present right here and now. 

God/The universe is looking out for me and I will be ok. 

I can let go of my worries and find positivity. 

I accept this moment, just as it is.

Honoring Emotions 

It’s ok to have a hard day.

All feelings are ok. 

I can listen to what my feelings are telling me.

My hard feelings won’t last forever. 

It’s ok to feel sad sometimes.

It’s ok to not be ok. 

Crying shows inner strength, not weakness.

Letting others know how I feel is taking care of my emotions. 

I do my best to express my feelings safely with my words. 

Understanding my feelings helps me to learn about myself.

My feelings are an important part of me.

2 boys playing at the beach - part of an affirmations for kids article

Affirmations on Being a Good Friend

I honor my commitments.

I treat others the way I want to be treated.

I show my friends I value them by my actions. 

I can talk out disagreements in a kind and calm way.

Including others makes me a good friend. 

I can learn from my friends who are different from me.

It feels good to be generous and share with others.

When I’m kind to friends it often comes back to me like a boomerang.

I build trust with others by being honest and dependable. 

With a true friend, I can relax and be myself!

I can ask questions and be a good listener to make friends. 

Cultivating Bravery

I can have faith in what I can’t see. 

I can do scary things (that are safe for my body). 

I am courageous. 

I can approach new situations with an open mind.

Mind over matter!

I’ve got this.

I have faith in myself.

I can handle this, nothing lasts forever. 

Being brave means taking a chance!

Discomfort is only temporary.

I will cheer myself on the whole way!

Positive Body Image Affirmations for Children

My body is beautiful.

I appreciate the amazing things my body can do.

My body is strong.

I can be kind and gentle to my body.

I am beautiful and unique.

Beautiful bodies come in all different sizes and shapes.

I will not compare my unique appearance to others.

When I look in the mirror I will find beauty.

My looks don’t define me, my character does. 

My body is perfect just the way it is. 

I can grow healthy and strong by taking care of my body.

Related: Words of Encouragement for Kids 

Using affirmations with kids is a sure-fire win for positive outcomes

We are only just beginning to discover the amazing outcomes of cultivating positive helpful thinking patterns. Positive encouraging self-talk leads to a more positive day…which leads to a more positive year… which leads to a more positive life! 

New habits aren’t easy though… so here’s a resource to help you start creating more positive days for your family. 

This post comes with a free printable of Positive Affirmations for Kids!

Grab your free printable Positive Affirmations sheet here.

Here’s a peek at it…

affirmations for children free printable and list
  1. Download the ‘Positive Affirmations’ worksheet. You’ll get the printable, plus join 19,000+ parents who receive my weekly insights, tips, and strategies on how to raise emotionally healthy kids who will live their BEST life, every week!
  2. Print (cardstock is recommended for printing or laminating regular paper).
  3. Use the full sheet as a reference to prompt your child when they’re stuck, or cut out the strips and place them around the house!

Click HERE to get your Affirmations printable and join!

Other parenting articles you’d love:

75 Awesome Calm Down Strategies for Kids that Work

10 Anxiety Symptoms in Children That Most Parents Miss

Parenting an Angry Child? 10 Possible Reasons Why

10 Simple Everyday Ways to Improve Your Child’s Behavior and Mood

The Best Way to Help a Child Deal with Anger Now (and throughout life)

This post has been updated: Originally posted 9/21/2020

Raising your strong willed child without regrets (confident & connected)

About Angela Pruess LMFT

Welcome! I’m Angela, a Licensed Children’s Mental Health Professional, Positive Parenting coach, and mom to Spirited Kids that help me learn and grow (grey hairs) every single day. I believe EVERY child deserves to live their BEST life and that emotional health is the magic key to lifelong success and happiness. Read more about me and the Parents with Confidence manifesto.

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