Meaning of "Positive" self-talk :-
Positive Self-talk basically means the inner Positive voice that we have in our heads that goes on when we have to make a tough decision or think our way out of a difficult situation.
When self-talk is conditioned with thinking negatively, our first response to any situation becomes negative. This also brings the negative aura wherever you go!
But parents can help kids cope with these negative thoughts and feelings by teaching them how to engage in positive self-talk. While it is still important to recognize negative thoughts and feelings and not attempt to erase them, they also can learn how to reframe their thinking and focus on their strengths or the lessons they have learned from the challenges.
Do you remember the last time that you made a mistake? Did you tell yourself that it was because “I’m terrible”? Or did you say to yourself “Oh, well? Tomorrow I will work on doing that better”?
When we talk to ourselves in a positive way, we can make a huge difference in how we feel. Positive self-talk can also help children to build self-esteem and confidence. And when children learn to give themselves positively, they may be more likely to keep trying even when things don’t work out the way they planned the first time or to try new things that they feel nervous about.
Advantages of Positive self-talk to Children :-
- Taking decisions in stressful situations becomes easier.
- A positive attitude towards everyone is automatically developed .
- Eventually helps in building self-confidence.
- “Kindness” becomes their inbuilt power.
- Understanding the opinions of others seems easier.
- Respecting and not entertaining negative vibes becomes easy for the little ones.
Tips to Encourage Positive self-talk in children :-
1:- Before we talk about children, the most important tip is to become a positive self-talker first. As the children are keen observers, they observe your everything and learn from it. So, conscious self-positive talk is very essential for parents.
2:- Recognise the “Negative” Talk:-
Listen for when you hear your child say things about himself that are negative, things that begin with “I can’t”, “I never” or “I always”. Talk with him about how he feels when he hears himself say that he can’t or will never be able to do something. Point out how that can actually stop your child from doing his best because it takes away his confidence.
3:-Focus on Effort:-
It is much more beneficial to focus on your child’s effort in situations than anything else. Avoid making comments about the end result. For instance, instead of focusing on their grade in Science, comment on how hard they studied and how much work they put in. And how better they can do the next time.
4:-Create affirmations that make readily available positive lines:-
Practiced affirmations are positive self-talk for preschoolers and young kids who often get swept away by their fears or anxiety too quickly. Having a ready-made thought that can spring to their minds during such a situation can help them calm down and regain their sense of positivity. Getting an answer wrong in the class can be embarrassing, but an affirmation such as “I get better every day” can remind them that it is alright to make a mistake and have time to correct it. Other positive affirmations include “It’s okay not to know everything,” “I can do anything I put my mind to,” and “I am free to make my own choices.”
We come up with a lot of positive affirmations for the little ones on Instagram – Do visit and pick the suitable ones.
5:-Model positive self-talk:-
Just like with modeling good self-esteem, it is important to let your child hear you talking positively to yourself. So try to avoid negative self-statements and use phrases like “I can’t”, “I never” and “I always”. Instead, model the things that you would like your child to say to herself, like “I know today was hard but I can try again tomorrow” or “I believe I can be my best”. Positive self-talk can help you as well.
Positive self-talk is a practice that takes time to develop, and it gets better as children get older. While positive self-talk involves looking at the bright side of things and better ways to solve problems, it also involves being realistic. Although negative thoughts come up all the time, being positive also recognizes that negative thoughts are sometimes healthy warnings that need to be examined. Be Patient.
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Happy Parenting :))
