As a CBT therapist, I recommend affirmations to many of my clients, and also use them myself. We have the ability to think negatively, and this affects the way we feel about ourselves. Our children receive direct and indirect messages daily that may lead them to feel badly about themselves. It happens and there’s not much we can do to control it.

But what we can control is making sure that we balance out the negative with positive self-talk. One form of self-talk is affirmations. Affirmations are positive statements that we think or say about ourselves, others, or the world around us. Typically when I recommend affirmations, they are specifically targeted to increase positive thoughts about that individual (not typically about others or the world).

Affirmations can be incredibly helpful for children, even if they don’t realize it. When you fill your brain with positive thoughts, not only is that a period of time when you’re NOT thinking negatively, but it also makes it more like that you will think more positively about yourself in the future. It doesn’t happen over night, but consistently saying/thinking positive affirmations can make a huge impact in increasing self-esteem.

How do you know what to say? Affirmations can be a little tricky, especially for adults, because what resonates with one person may not resonate with another. The good news with kids is that we get to keep them simple, especially for younger kids. Keep it simple so it’s not confusing and so they can remember it. You can find some simple affirmations below (and a free printable!). If you are interested in other affirmations, a quick google search will yield hundreds of other options. Or… you can engage your kid in writing their own, with your help if needed.

Here are some simple affirmations:

I’ve also created a printout with (most of) these affirmations. It’s colorful and fun:

You can click here to download/print this. You can click here for the same printout, but with “handsome” instead of “beautiful.”

When to say these? I usually recommend making them part of a daily routine. I find that for my family, bedtime is the easiest time to add affirmations. Our mornings are rushed, and it’s difficult for us to remember during other parts of the day. Bedtime works for us. I have this printed and on the wall in my daughter’s bedroom and we say these each night before bed. You can also have your child say these on an add-needed basis, like if they are feeling sad or had a bad interaction with someone that left them doubting themselves.

Lastly, kiddos aren’t always great about remembering to do things, so prompt your children. It may also help to actually say the affirmations WITH them. Your children are more likely to do things if they see you do it as well. Also, if your child is resistant, you can try to make it fun. Whisper affirmations, yell affirmations, sing them, say them in a silly voice. It will still have the same benefits.

Good luck! Drop a comment with YOUR favorite affirmation, either for you or a young one in your life.

Disclaimer: I am a licensed mental health therapist, but I am not your therapist. The information in this article is for general informational purposes only. This article does not create a therapist-client relationship. If you need specific recommendations based on your individual circumstances, please consult with a mental health practitioner near you.