Positive affirmations are a powerful tool for children. They can help to build long-term confidence, self-worth and social emotional skills to help them succeed.

What are positive affirmations?
Affirmations are positive statements that encourage, motivate and empower; they help to create healthy habits of positive self-talk and an "I can do this" attitude when faced with a challenge.

Teaching children how to use positive affirmations.
You can start teaching your child to use positive affirmations anytime, anywhere.

Start by using simple phrases related to a specific behaviour, making it easy for your child to remember each phrase. For example, a child who is struggling with anger may say "I can stay calm" or a child struggling with an obstacle may say "I can do hard things".

Using these simple phrases often will help your child to remember them and reflect on them when needed in the future. Here are a few to get you started:

I am brave.
I can try my best.
I am kind.
I can be calm.
I am smart.
I am unique.
I can do hard things.
I am a good friend.
I am a hard worker. 

Creating mindful playtime.
Children's early development primarily comes through playtime. This time is a great opportunity to encourage your child to play mindfully and choose sensory activities that bring them to a place of calm. Playing with playdough is a great way to promote this type of calm, creative sensory play.

As your child kneads, squishes and creates you can talk about affirmations in relation to the activity. For example, "you've made something so unique, you are a hard worker" or "that looks amazing, you are so smart".