The power of affirmations on a child’s mind
Like our own, a child’s mind has tens of thousands of thoughts a day, which come from what others have said to them and from what they say to themselves. These thoughts include short statements, or affirmations that go over in their mind which have a direct affect on how they feel and on their behaviour. The more positive the thoughts the more positive the behaviour will be. For example a young child starting nursery, who goes into class feeling miserable and shy thinking to himself that he hasn’t got any friends is less likely to attract some friends because he may be sitting alone and not wanting to go and play with the others.
An older child who is going to have a test or exam may be having negative thoughts, which will make them feel weak and lose concentration. They may be saying to themselves things like, ’I can’t do this’, ‘I am stupid and can’t remember anything’, I will never be as clever as the others’, These negative thoughts are like an annoying voice in their head that is convincing them of doom and glum and are played over and over in their mind like an old record on a tape recorder.
Without being aware of it children will play back the old tapes in their mind when something triggers a memory of it, like when you hear a favourite song it will make you happy.
As parents you can teach your child to say positive affirmations that will help them to feel in a good frame of mind such as ‘I am going to do really well’, ‘I will pass this test’ and you can also say positive affirmations to them, such as ‘I am sure you will do really well’.
These affirmations will positively stimulate the mind and affect a child’s behaviour because if they are feeling positive they are more likely to feel like making friends and studying more and behaving well.
With practice, children can develop the mental habit of using affirmations in a whole range of different situations, to help them to have positive attitudes and give them confidence and they can enjoy being able to direct their own mind to help them to achieve what they want in life. This way we can help to empower children to get the best out of life.
Here are some affirmations that you can encourage your children to use by telling them that you think they are good, clever, kind and so on;
Affirmations for children
I am good
I am kind
I am clever
I work hard
I am a good sport
I am a good friend
I am confident
I have lots of friends
I am GOOD ENOUGH
I am helpful
I am loving
People like me
I can do anything I put my mind to
I am a good listener
My mom and dad love me
I am full of good ideas
I am very creative
I feel happy
I have a great mind
I am happy
I can do it!
