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Positive Self-Talk

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Social-Emotional Learning Study Skills & Tools All Ages Strategy

Skills

Anxiety Self-regulation

Positive Self-Talk

If your student lacks confidence, is anxious or has a fixed mindset

How To Apply It!

  1. Positive self-talk is a powerful tool that is an essential first step to changing a student's frame of mind when they are nervous or feeling down.
  2. Teach students to coach themselves using language that focuses on their strengths. For example, for a student who is worried about friendships: "I'm a nice person; I'm kind." For a student concerned about an upcoming test: "I have great memory. I can memorize the facts I need."
  3. Adults want to model positive self-talk rather than expecting a student to do this independently. Adults say something positive and have the student repeat it aloud. Students might be reluctant but it is important for them to hear it and feel themselves being positive.
  4. Have students get in the habit of using positive self-talk during difficult situations, by whispering or mouthing the words during the test or in the car before the game.
  5. Negative self-talk drags you down, so help students change the negative to a positive. For example, if a student says a, "I'm a lousy hitter in softball," an adult can say "You are a great team player and excellent at catching fly balls." Don't exaggerate a student's strength, but do find the positive in what they do well.

Why It Works (the Science Of Learning)!

Positive self-talk keeps a child emotionally stable, more confident, and better positioned to succeed. Conversely, negative self-talk changes the state of mind and can get in the way of succeeding regardless of capabilities. Here is one of many articles on positive self-talk and other evidence-based ways to stay motivated.