161+ Positive Affirmations for Kids

Parents, teachers, and other caregivers in children’s lives worry a great deal about encouraging kids and teens self esteem and to help them build healthy self-images. One great way to do that is through the use of positive affirmations.

What Are Positive Affirmations for Kids?

Positive affirmations can be beneficial for everyone. According to Positive Psychology, they are “positive phrases or statements used to challenge negative or unhelpful thoughts.” 

These positive self talk statements should be easy for kids and teens to understand at their cognitive level and incorporate into their lives. This positive thinking should address some of the common negative thinking that kids receive. Positive self talk works!

How Do Positive Affirmations Work?

There is academic support behind positive affirmations for kids. The leading theory that supports the use of affirmations is known as self-affirmation theory. When we change our habitual thoughts, that has the power to change how we see ourselves, how we behave, and how we interact with the world. It can lead to a growth mindset and a more positive outlook on the world.

Why Are Positive Affirmations Important for Kids and Teens?

The human brain is abundantly moldable during the early years of life. It yearns to receive positive affirmations as an individual builds a self-identity. Young children and teens alike can fall victim to negative thinking.

This means that it is very important to teach young people the power of positive affirmations, to think of themselves in a positive light. Positive thinking can mold their decision-making, careers, and much more. It can help to boost mental health, and counteract negative thought patterns.

How Do You Teach and Use Affirmations for Kids?

The best method for teaching and using affirmations with kids depends on each individual child. Everyone learns in their own way, and different tactics are better than others at reaching them.

Pay attention to your child’s learning style and try incorporating different methods. Here are a few ideas:

• Write affirmations on cards and put them in places your kids will see them often, such as their bathroom mirror or in their lunchbox.
• Teach them affirmations verbally and ask them to repeat them back to you.
• Encourage your kids to say positive things about themselves, thereby coming up with their own affirmations, and repeat them often.
• Be sure to keep them short and to the point, so they’re easy to remember.
• Keep them positive! Instead of “I’m not a bad person,” say “I am a good person.”

There is perhaps no more effective method for teaching positive affirmations than to model it yourself. Make a point of saying great things about yourself in front of your kids to normalize the practice. You may even start reaping some of the benefits, too!

Benefits of Positive Thinking and Positive Self Talk for Kids

Positive affirmations can help with kids’ emotional well-being, help them manage anxiety, deal with bullying and other adverse life situations, and boost confidence so they can push themselves and overcome challenges in their lives..

Some of the Best Affirmations to Use for Kids and Teens

Now that you know why affirmations can be so powerful for young people, let’s look at some that you can help youth in your life incorporate and believe. 

Some of these are more appropriate for younger or older children, and some will resonate better than others.

Positive Statements to Build Healthy Self-Love

I am awesome!

I am enough.

I am perfect, just the way I am.

I was created for a purpose.

There is no one in the world quite like me.

I deserve love and safety.

I have so many wonderful qualities.

I will make an important contribution to this world.

My most important relationship is the one I have with myself.

I am a precious gift to those around me.

I will take care of myself, and I deserve to do that.

I am intelligent and good at things.

People are proud of who I am and who I am becoming.

I am good.

I am wanted.

I can keep my body healthy, and I deserve to do so.

I am growing into a wonderful person.

Teach and Respect Boundaries

I have people who love and respect me.

I can stand up for what I believe in.

I am allowed to say no.

I have the power to determine my own life.

I give myself permission to make choices.

I can speak up when something makes me uncomfortable or scared.

I deserve safety.

I don’t get to make decisions for others, just like they don’t get to make decisions for me.

I am allowed to ask questions and get answers to them.

I deserve for everyone to treat me with respect and dignity.

When other people say no, it’s not because I am bad.

I am allowed to set limits.

My body, my choice.

I can be civil to everyone even if I don’t like them.

I deserve to have positive people in my life.

I know what is best for me.

No one should ask me to do something that makes me uncomfortable or scared.

Instill Confidence, Boost Self Esteem and Positive Body Image

There is no one better to be than myself.

I am smart and talented.

Who I am on the inside is so much more important than who I am on the outside.

I am a light to the world.

If other people don’t see me as beautiful, that’s their fault and not mine.

I believe in myself.

I choose to be confident.

My needs matter just as much as everyone else’s.

I am strong.

I am beautiful inside and out.

No one can take my place.

I am precisely who I am meant to be.

I am the best version of myself that there is.

No one knows me better than me.

My size does not determine my strength or my worth.

I am extraordinary.

I belong here.

Motivation

I am capable of so much.

I get better every single day.

Today is going to be a great day.

I am my own greatest accomplishment.

I have amazing ideas.

I am creative in my own way.

I have so much to offer this world.

I am a success.

Nothing can stand in my way.

I am so powerful.

I have faith that everything will work out.

I can do anything.

Just because this isn’t easy doesn’t mean it isn’t worth it.

I am a hard worker.

I will reach my goals.

My future is so bright.

I am a leader.

Kindness Towards Self and Others

Everyone deserves kindness, including me.

Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, then it’s not the end.

I am proud of myself, and others are proud of me, too.

I am a kind person.

I choose to be kind to everyone I meet.

I deserve the good things I have.

I am worthy of love.

I am supportive.

I can show others that I care.

I deserve the attention of others.

I don’t have to be good at everything; no one is!

I only want good things for myself and others.

I have a lot of love to give to people who deserve it.

I am generous.

I can help other people and make a difference in their lives.

I am friendly.

I love the world around me.

Develop Resilience

All of my problems have solutions.

I make mistakes, and that’s okay because I am human.

Not every day can be good, but I am still good.

I don’t need anyone else’s approval, only my own.

I can do better next time.

I can do hard things.

I have the power to change the world.

Good things are going to happen to me.

I refuse to quit.

Everything I do matters.

I have survived all of my hard days so far.

I will soar.

I am the strongest person I know.

I can do it!

I don’t need anything but myself to succeed.

I am smart.

I can choose to let go of struggles.

Build Inner Strength

My challenges help me grow.

I can get through anything.

I am unstoppable.

My goals and dreams are achievable. 

I have the power to make my dreams come true.

I matter.

I can breathe my anxiety and nervousness away.

I am unique.

I can be anything I want to be.

No one else gets to define me.

I have already done so many amazing things.

If I fall, I will get back up again.

I am brilliant.

I can do things I enjoy even if I am not good at them.

I can do this, whatever it is.

I am important.

Peace and Calm

I can choose to think positively today.

It’s okay not to know everything.

It’s okay not to have all the answers.

I accept who I am today.

Every day is a fresh start.

My joy is mine and cannot be taken away from me.

It is enough to do my best.

I deserve peace, and I can create it within myself.

I am not alone.

I accept myself.

Every moment is special.

I can choose to see the positive, even during tough times.

I embrace change.

No one can take me away from myself.

I am forgiving.

I am grateful for everything I have in my life.

I am patient.

Honoring Emotions

It’s okay not to feel okay.

I deserve to feel happy.

All of my feelings are real, and I am allowed to have them.

All of my feelings are important, and none of them are wrong.

I deserve to show all of my feelings and have other people respect them.

My feelings will pass, even if they seem like they will be here forever.

This, too, shall pass.

I can get through all of my feelings.

Good feelings are coming to me soon.

My positive thoughts can create positive feelings.

I can show sadness and weakness.

I can choose whether to let other people’s feelings affect my own.

I am joyful, even when I feel sad or bad.

It’s okay to cry, and crying does not make me weak.

I know my feelings better than anyone else.

I don’t need to worry, but it’s okay if I do.

I can choose to be happy.

Encourage Bravery

I am brave.

I can get through anything.

I can ask for help when I need it or want it.

Only I can decide if I am defeated or not.

I am capable of anything.

I will change the world by being myself.

I am truthful, and I can speak my own truth.

I have so much courage.

I am surrounded by love and support.

I love to learn new things.

I can do things on my own.

I will move mountains.

My strength is bigger than my struggles.

Nothing is impossible.

I deserve to take breaks, and that doesn’t make me weak.

I reach for the stars.

I will follow my heart.