Positive affirmations are a powerful tool to support kids of all ages in developing positive thinking and a more positive mindset.
There are SO many benefits of affirmations - they are also a great way to build a positive classroom community, and are perfect for incorporating into your character education and social emotional learning lessons.
By making daily affirmations a regular practice in our classrooms, we challenge students to question the negative messages which might be appearing in their inner voice, and replace those negative thoughts with a more positive attitude and positive outlook.
The problem with many affirmation free printables
There are loads of free printable affirmations online, but I have found that many of them are not accessible for students, particularly those in a K-2 setting.
Why? Because most affirmation stations only contain the positive thoughts or daily affirmations in WRITING. Whilst these displays are often gorgeous and aesthetically pleasing, they are not always functional for younger students or struggling readers, as it harder for them to read and therefore make full use of these positive messages.
If we want the best results from an affirmation station, we need to make them a positive experience for all students.
The solution
The good news is, I've come up with the perfect way to help ALL of your students access daily positive affirmations.
My free printable positive affirmation cards not only contain 36 of my favourite affirmations, but there are images to match each of the daily affirmations too! These images will make a big difference in allowing all children to engage in positive self-talk as part of your daily routine.
There are lots of different ways that classroom teachers can use these specific affirmations to encourage positive self talk:
- Create an affirmation mirror. This is a powerful way to build students' confidence. Students to repeat the positive words to themselves as they look at themselves in the mirror. This will support them in building self-esteem and positive thoughts about themselves.
- Select different examples of positive affirmations to create a bulletin board or poster board display. Refer to these affirmations on a regular basis, and as a positive affirmation activity, you might like to invite students to add to the display by writing their own different affirmations on sticky notes, index cards or slips of paper.
What's included in my affirmation station free download?
Both the rainbow bright and neutral versions are a digital download. They come in a PDF format with the following options:
- 36 x daily affirmation cards - pick and choose the ones that you wish to display.
- 12 x 'I can' statements
- Images in both colour or black & white.
List of Positive Affirmations and Character Strengths which are included in the free printable affirmation cards pdf:
- I am me
- I am valued
- I am loved
- I am important
- I am unique
- I am strong
- I am special
- I am smart
- I am kind
- I am positive
- I am grateful
- I am wise
- I am a thinker
- I am inclusive
- I am caring
- I am friendly
- I am helpful
- I am honest
- I am brave
- I am creative
- I am curious
- I am thoughtful
- I am a learner
- I am a leader
- I am polite
- I am responsible
- I am collaborative
- I am a problem solver
- I am sustainable
- I am fair
- I am courageous
- I am humble
- I am optimistic
- I am modest
- I am inquisitive
- I am respectful
List of 'I can' statements which are included:
- I can take turns
- I can share
- I can encourage
- I can ask for help
- I can listen
- I can help others
- I can try my best
- I can focus
- I can learn from my mistakes
- I can participate
- I can persevere
- I can forgive
Use in the classroom OR at home
Whilst these were created with a classroom in mind, they could absolutely be used at home for personal use with your own children too! You might like to place them around the bathroom mirror as an easy way to support your children with positive statements . How special if this is the first thing they look at each morning- surely one of the best ways to start the day. Children might like to come up with their own affirmations and create their own affirmation cards or affirmation posters to add to your affirmation station as well!
The power of affirmations
At the end of the day, we want to support our children to be able to have a positive outlook on life and also cope with everything that life throws at them. We want to build a positive growth mindset and support every child's mental health.
By encouraging your children to engage with these free positive affirmations on a daily basis, we are gradually helping to make small changes to the subconscious mind, reducing negative self-talk and encouraging a positive energy and mindset.
These simple statements will also help to support your overall classroom management, encouraging students to start (or end) their day on a positive note, and focus on all the positive things about themselves.
More interactive resources to support positive life skills
If you're looking for additional resources, The Hive is a great place to start. The Hive (your very own digital classroom) has a wide range of interactive apps to support your students' social emotional learning.
There are daily affirmations, kindness prompts, emotions check-ins (giving you real-time student data about how they're feeling), pre-made digital activities and loads of other interactive features to support each and every child in your classroom.
You might also like to check out the following videos which support children in deep breathing and other calming exercises - these can be an effective way to settle or calm students throughout the day, as well as teaching them valuable coping skills lessons for their everyday lives.
