Empower Your Children With These 101 Expert-Approved Affirmations

When we think about visualizing and manifesting what we desire, one of the most simple and powerful tools at our disposal is the almighty affirmation. Repeating quick, positive statements to ourselves can go a long way for boosting overall feelings of positivity1. When it comes to children, the same rules apply.

Saying affirmations is a way to practice positive thinking. It usually calls for repeating positive declarations about yourself or your experience.

For children, affirmations can be just as useful as they are for adults. Social development and challenges in school are tough on a child, so it's important they learn how to combat negative thoughts about themselves and build resiliency.

As licensed psychotherapist Annette Nunez, M.S., Ph.D., tells mbg, "If we can teach a child how to start thinking positively at a young age, it changes how children view their world and also helps with their inner dialogue. If we don't work on that from a young age, we start thinking negatively."

To get started using affirmations with your child, Nunez says that affirmation cards can be effective. Together, you could DIY your own cards after brainstorming a few affirmations that feel helpful and relevant.

"When I introduce them, I have a deck and they pick out a card, and we focus on that card for a day," she explains. "For example, I believe in myself. We process what that means, and that will be our mantra for today."

Milfort recommends practicing the affirmations in front of the mirror, noting "what they start to repeat, they will begin to believe and see."

You can remind your child of their affirmation by placing the card on the fridge or in their room, and pointing it out if you catch them in a moment when they might need to use their affirmation.

When it comes to affirmations for kids, the simpler the better. A good rule of thumb is to keep them short; no longer than five words or so.

Milfort notes you can come up with affirmations that are specific to what your child is doing (such as, I can finish this homework) or more general to everyday life.

Play therapy is a popular tool used by child psychologists to help children get comfortable expressing themselves. "A lot of times children are more comfortable talking about how they feel by playing with a doll or their favorite character," Milfort says.

And lastly, Nunez notes that parents often highlight a child's negative emotions, when it's important to focus on the positive, too.

"When you see your child is having a joyful experience or they're happy," she says, "ask them how they feel in that moment. If they can't explain why, you can model it for them." For example, you could say something like, I see you're happy because we're playing this game.