3 Adventures to Practice Positive Affirmations
The words we use are powerful tools. The words we use to describe ourselves and those around us stay with us longer than we are present. This is why the power of positive affirmations are so important. A positive affirmation is a positive statement that can have long-lasting effects on the way someone thinks and feels about themselves. Oftentimes, a personal positive affirmation will help to combat a negative set of beliefs. It is important for these affirmations to be practiced routinely, in order to create the biggest change. Now imagine the power of a positive affirmation when practiced during early childhood development. It has the power to change the way our young people think, feel and talk about themselves. In fact, it is proven, that these sentences can help rewire their brain in a healthy way. It also allows for young people to develop a positive mental-social-emotional mindset. There are several ways to incorporate positive affirmations into your kind kids’ lives.
Here are 3 adventures to make affirmations a daily part of your family and/or classroom.
Affirmation Creation Station - As a family, or a classroom, facilitate each person to draw a picture of themselves. Then individually write three words to positively describe yourself, that do not relate to one's physical appearance. If this is challenging for some people, that’s okay, and allows for an opportunity to reframe a negative word to a positive word about oneself. For example: If your student says, I am kind of strong or kind of smart, you can reframe it for them and invite them to own it. This would change that to “I am Smart!” and “I am Strong!” From these three words, used to describe themselves, write three positive affirmations. Then write them on stickie notes and place on a bedroom mirror, or in a prominent place in their daily routine so that they are reminded of these affirmations. Bonus: Add saying your affirmations as a family into your morning routine, perhaps on the way to school or at the beginning of the class.
ABCs: Affirm, Boost, Cheer– Try this positively fun game with the whole family, or even your whole class! If someone happens to say something negative about themselves, it is the other person, in the teams’ job to pause and share a positive affirmation back to oppose the negative statement. For example, if someone says, “I’m stupid,” the team might share back “You are smart.” The person then has to repeat this phrase, “I am smart!” about themselves 10 times. When they complete the ten, the group must cheer enthusiastically. This is best in small groups or teams. You can add a layer of competition to it, to see whoever recognizes the opportunity for a positive affirmation first, and add a fun prize for the person who creates the most positive statements about others.
Spread Positive Affirmations Like Confetti – The only thing better than saying a positive affirmation to yourself, is saying or giving it to someone else. We’ve given you some to get you started. Check out this free printable that includes over 16 positive affirmation cards, that you can print out for your kind kid. When they are in a safe environment, challenge them to give out an affirmation each day to a someone they know who might need encouragement, someone they want to share kindness with, or even give it anonymously to someone who they think could use a random act of kindness. Print out enough for the whole family or your whole classroom!
Looking for more adventures like these? Our Adventures in Kindness book contains 52+ impactful adventures for kids, to make kindness and compassion a daily practice and check our Everyday Kindness Kit even more inspiration for Summer activities! Use code KINDSUMMER22 to receive a free gift with your purchase!