I remember when I was younger and dealing with problems that overwhelmed me, I learned about affirmations. Saying, “I can do this. I am strong.” My father taught me one I still find myself saying, “You got this, Humphrys.”

Positive affirmations can help you deal with problems. You can calm yourself by saying them to yourself. You can take the “fake it till you make it strategy” to help combat negative thoughts. You can even use them to create a growth mindset, not getting stunted but believing you can grow into what you want to become.

Week 2: Song of the Week

Look Into the Mirror

“Look Into the Mirror” includes affirmations to appreciate yourself as an incredible person with incredible parts. What I like about this song is that it doesn’t say affirmations that will cause kids to question their truth. For instance the line:

“Look into the mirror and what do I see,

An incredible person looking back at me!”

Then they sing about their eyes, ears, nose and all the other parts that do pretty incredible things.

Be Thoughtful about Your Affirmations

The thing about affirmations is they aren’t as great if you say them but don’t really believe them. For me, affirmations that I didn’t believe just caused me more doubt. I’m sure I’m not the only one with this kind of active mind.

For instance, saying “I am smart” after failing a test, could make a person feel a disconnect. I don’t want to teach kids to learn how to disconnect from how they actually feel. For me, an affirmation like, “I can learn anything if I try” would be a better affirmation.

I’m careful when using affirmations with children to let children choose their own affirmation. I also look for affirmations that are easy to believe, like in this song.

About the Kuumba Kids Album

This song was released in 2012, together with the other pieces of the Ooh Kuumba album.

Iya and The Kuumba Kids provide culturally rich educational programs and materials for children. They use a variety of outlets to promote creative learning and development.

Teaching Kids Positive Affirmations

Finding the right positive affirmations can help children. Affirmations can impact self-esteem, confidence, and overall well-being.

Affirmations can help children develop a positive self-image by reinforcing their strengths, talents, and abilities.

Now it’s your turn, do you use affirmations in class? What are your favourite affirmations?

Leave a comment below.