Affirmations trigger those important positive feelings. When it comes to children, they need affirmations. Big time. They need to know they’re important. They need to know they matter. Affirmations help.
Before chapter reading, we listen to and recite Goodnight Moon. But… before that… a teacher does daily affirmations with the children. It’s a big deal. Well, it’s more than that. Children recite affirmations with gestures, while standing proud. Does it make a difference? You bet it does!
“I am special.”
“I am smart.”
“I am strong.”
“I am brave.”
“I am loved.”
“I am kind. I belong.”
Here is what it looks like in the classroom:
One day this week a child said, “Naomi, you forgot ‘I am loved’. Yikes, she did. That’s how powerful and important our daily affirmations are for children.
We can all learn from children. They have affirmations nailed, and it makes a huge difference. If adults did the same thing, happiness and confidence would grow, and that’s how you change the world.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
We recite 4 together at the beginning of our sessions, too, Jennie!
I am loved
I am brave
I am strong
I am a good friend!
It is heart warming to see these 3 year old reciting with the actions!
That’s wonderful, Ritu! The actions really make a difference. 💕
I loved doing affirmations with children, and we added this in the last few years that I was teaching. at first they were shy about it, but really grew to embrace and enjoy it. we even had some parents comment that they did this at home and asked the parents to follow along.
That’s wonderful, Beth! It really makes a difference. When parents comment, you know it ‘sticks’.
exactly!
😀
How wonderful! By saying these affirmations out loud, the children will believe them. So important. I did something similar when I worked with unemployed folks. Nothing destroys confidence like loosing your job. So I had a list of affirmations we would start the workshop with. By introducing affirmations to young children, they will have back up when things go wrong in their teenage and adult life.
Well said, Darlene! That’s how it works. I’m glad you had a chance to bring affirmations to the unemployed. Hopefully planting the seeds of affirmations will help my kids down the road. Many thanks!
I’m a believer! Affirmations, positive self-talk…yes!!! With you! Xo!😘
Yes, YES!! Thanks so much, Vicki! 🥰
Love and hugs, dear Jennie! 🥰❤️😘
😍 ❤️ 🥰
My kids know they are strong and resilient and loved I respect them and theý respect me x
🙂
Cute ritual
Thank you, Don.
What a great start or end to a day.
I think so, too. Thank you, Jacqui!
What an affirming way to begin each day. Thanks for sharing, Jennie.
Thanks so much, John!
😊
This never happened at any of my schools, and it’s such a great idea.
Best wishes, Pete.
It never happened with me, either. I think I’d have been a stronger person with a better sense of self if it had. Thanks so much, Pete.
What a wonderful thing to do! I could hear a change in the children’s voices when they said “I am loved.” That’s the one that means the most!
Yes, that’s the one that means the most, so it’s perfect for the end. Thank you Liz!
You’re welcome, Jennie!
I ♥️ this sooooo much?
😍
That’s supposed to be a “!!!” not a “?”
No worries!
This is a wonderful way to begin each day of a child’s life.
Thank yo, Dan. I think so, too.
This is a great idea! Children are much more receptive than adults, so the affirmations don’t have to get through all the negative mental clutter we accumulate when we’re older.
Well said, and you are so right! Thank you.
They really do love that sort of thing.
Yes, they do.
That is interesting and a fun video. That was never done when/where I grew up. My first reaction is that it could make the kids too self certain, but maybe that is wrong.
I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Thomas. It was never done when I was growing up, either. Actually, young children aren’t self certain, and they need all the affirmations they can get as they grow up. I understand your first reaction.
Great example. I assume this is your teaching assistant giving the demonstration. It’s fun to listen to the kids call out the words when she does the actions. Of course, I couldn’t let this post go by without one of my favorite Jennie videos.
Yes, she’s my wonderful teaching assistant. Hearing the kids makes it meaningful. I love this video! Last month we had a presenter on Curriculum Day who talked about the different ways to introduce literature. I told him I did a Goodnight Moon rap, and then asked if he wanted to see it. WELL, he was thrilled and asked if he could show this to his classes. Of course! I told him I could come in to his class and tell him the many different ways I do Goodnight Moon, and of course do the rap. Maybe he’ll take me up on the offer. 🙂
I love this! Affirmations work for all sorts of things in life don’t they.
Yes, they do!
what a great daily routine; loved hearing the children repeat the affirmations!
What a wonderful thing to do – instilling wonderful affirmations into the young ones. 🧡
Thank you, Debby!
xx
Hi Jennie, this sort of thing was never done when I was at school. I don’t believe it was done when my kids were at school either. A great pity as it’s very positive.
It was never done with me or our kids, either. It’s so positive, I wish every kid got this at school.
Yes 🤗💛
Jennie, I had never heard of this for children. How absolutely wonderful! I can imagine how different the world would be if little children had been taught these affirmations in school all along. Once again, you are an inspiration. Big hugs.
Can you imagine if you had had this every day at school as a child? It would have made a world of difference for me. Yes, the world would be different. The good news is the world will be different, for the domino effect will happen once more and more children say affirmations at school every day. Really. Hugs, Teagan!
Jennie such a wonderful and motivational post. So nice to see children following these positive attitudes of life.
Thank you so much, Kamal!
What a great post! Children need to know they are loved. This makes for very happy adults.
Bingo! I couldn’t have said it any better. Thank you, Stevie.
I’ve learned this over time, lol.
Me, too.
You are always welcome dear Jennie ❤️
Thank you, Kamal!
Jennie, what a wonderful and important addition to the classroom. I’m just imagining the strength, kindness, self-confidence and love it is imbuing into the children on a daily basis! Absolutely brilliant!
Thank you so much, Annika!
Always welcome dear Jennie ❤️🙏
Thank you, Kamal!
❤️❤️❤️
Jennie, this is a great story. I bet those kids display more self confidence by having this lesson, especially when you reinforce it with subsequent lessons on other material, such as your reading. I like how your demonstrated with a video.
On an unrelated matter, I saw that there were a couple of Curbside Classroom stories attached to your post. Thank you for that kind gesture. After reading them, I was surprised that I had written them. They reminded me of those fun times with the kids. I think I ‘taught’ them a few of Life’s lessons, too.
Take care and stay warm.
Steve
Hi Steve, yes I believe this really contributes to self confidence. I’m glad I could get a video to show it in action. Many thanks!
I’m so glad you stumbled across some of my blog posts about you. You were remarkable as the crossing guard, and I can only imagine the number of lives you inspired. Really!!! I’ll never forget discovering that first blog post about Pavarotti.
Oh Jennie, thnis fun was inspiring and the video – hearing those little voices in the background filled my heart “I am ‘strong” in their varied voices, was wonderful.
I was looking for a quote mark Twain had about compliments – I could not find it but found this one:
“The compliment that helps us on our way is not the one that is shut up in the mind, but the one that is spoken out.” And spekaing out loud of self affirmations is like a powerful self compliment and good for us to do at any age!
Thank you, Yvette! Yes, those little voices fill my heart, too. I’m so glad you enjoyed this. I love, LOVE the quote!
wishing you a great weekend
Best to you, Yvette!
🙂
still did not find the quote i was thinking of but did find another one worth sharing:
Gertrude Natkin on March 2, 1906, wrote:
“My child, I can live on a good compliment two weeks with nothing else to eat.”
Awww… just wonderful! 🥰
💚🍃🙂
That`s fantastic, Jennie! Now i see how different education systems can be. Here the children have to say a prayer, then follows the education like a lecture in the university. It`s for sure a very rural thing here, but our children learn to plant carrots, cabbages and other legumes, while children otherwhere in Germany are encouraged to reading books or writing first software snippets. Upper Palatinate makes the difference. Lol :-(). xx Michael
I think both have merits, Michael. Why can’t children learn to plant vegetables AND read?
That`s true, Jennie! But sadly here they are not encouraged to read. ;-/ In some years we will see the results. Best wishes, Michael
Lovely. So important, Jennie – for all of us!
Very much so, Norah. Many thanks!