Self Talk Teaching Resources

Encourage positive self talk in your classroom with this collection of teacher-created self management activities for kids.

From printable posters with affirmations for kids to post in your classroom to positive self talk prompts, fill your teacher toolbox with everything you need to teach this essential aspect of self management skills and emotional regulation for kids.

What Is Self Talk? A Kid-Friendly Definition

Trying to explain what positive and negative self talk are to your students? Here's a kid-friendly definition from our teacher team!

Self talk refers to the thoughts and statements that we make to ourselves in our minds. You might have watched a movie or TV show where you heard a character talking to themselves, but only they could hear it. This is self talk!

Self talk is part of regulating and directing one's thoughts, emotions and behaviors. It can be either positive or negative, and it plays a significant role in our overall sense of well-being and self-esteem.

Positive Self Talk Quotes for Kids

Sometimes called positive affirmations, positive self talk quotes are statements that we say to ourselves to improve our mood and help us build a positive mindset.

Here are some great positive self talk quotes you might want to write on your whiteboard throughout the school year and discuss during a morning meeting for students to get used to using positive self talk to improve their well-being!

1. "I am capable of learning and growing every day."
2. "I can face any challenge with determination and resilience."
3. "My mistakes don't define me."
4. "I believe in myself and my ability to succeed."
5. "I am unique and have valuable contributions to offer."
6. "I am kind, compassionate and capable of making a difference."
7. "I have the power to choose positive thoughts and attitudes."
8. "I am in control of my own choices and actions."
9. "I embrace challenges to help me grow."
10. "I am worthy of love, respect and happiness."
11. "I am strong and capable of overcoming obstacles."
12. "I have the courage to speak up and express myself."
13. "I am resilient and bounce back from setbacks."
14. "I believe in my abilities and trust in my potential."
15. "I have the power to create a positive impact in the world."
16. "I am patient and persistent in pursuing my goals."
17. "I embrace mistakes as opportunities for learning and growth."
18. "I am proud of who I am and all that I can accomplish."

How to Stop Negative Self Talk

Sharing specific examples of positive self talk that students can use to pump themselves up is a wonderful way to help kids improve their self management skills. But what about those other things our students say to themselves that counteracts all that positivity?

Negative self talk is all-too-common, and it can be sneaky ... kids may not even realize they're bringing themselves down with the things they say to themselves (verbally or in their own minds).

Facing negative self talk head-on in your SEL discussions can help students identify the sorts of talk that can lead to feelings of low self-esteem, sadness and anxiety, and put a stop to negative self talk.

Some examples of negative self talk that kids often engage in include:

1. "I'm not good at anything."
2. "Nobody likes me."
3. "I am just not good at [subject]."
4. "I'm stupid."
5. "I'll never be as smart as [student's name]."
6. "I can't do anything right."
7. "I'm always the worst in everything."
8. "Nobody wants to be my friend."
9. "I'm ugly."
10. "I will never be able to do it."