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For Parents:
 

Positive Self-talk & Affirmation Use >Affirmation Design
 

How to design affirmations: One of the most important keys to successful affirmation use lies in making sure that the child is actively involved in the affirmation design. The more individualized the process and important to the child, the more he/she is likely to use it. Also, the child must have a vested interest in the desired outcome. If these are adult identified challenges or needs, then they are not likely to sustain interest or motivation for change. Moreover, it is important that children don’t feel that affirmation use is too silly, too weird, or too embarrassing. One way to overcome the sillies and wierds, is to make the affirmation design playful and fun. Here are some ideas as to how to infuse fun into the affirmation design process.

Affirmation Design Setting:
  1. Make a fun snack to eat while you brainstorm
  2. Bring markers or other fun art supplies to the design table
  3. Make sure the atmosphere is fun and playful (not one of “doing work”)
  4. Pick a time when everyone is feeling calm and positive, bring cheerful, lighthearted “energy”
Questions for the Design Process:
  1. What do you think we should focus on for changing our thoughts to make them more positive?
  2. Do you think it is important to have positive thoughts? How do they help us?
  3. Use their responses to write a single simple sentence in present tense beginning with the words “I am. . .”
Ways to practice affirmations:

Ages 3-6

  • sing jingles of affirmations
  • chant positive affirmations or words in the car
  • place positive images, (smiley faces or smiling characters) on mirrors
  • use affirmative words
  • Model using affirmations
  • Use repetition to establish certain beliefs

Ages 7 and up

  • List on bathroom mirrors or fridge (inside the fridge is always a surprising place to see an affirmation!)
  • Write affirmations on craft necklaces
  • Incorporate affirmation practice into homework writing assignments
  • Have reminder object in pocket and recite when you touch the object
Affirmation Examples:

I am strong

I am calm

I am relaxed

I am peace

I make friends easily

I learn what I need to know

I pay attention

I listen with open ears

I remember my lessons easily

I am kind to others

 

 

©2005, Adventures Within, LLC.
Article by Jennifer Jazwierska, Ed.S., NCSP