You may have heard about or seen videos about positive affirmations before, but do you know what they are and how to use them, especially with children? Simply put, positive affirmations are simple statements that are meant to encourage and empower individuals. When used with babies and toddlers, positive affirmations can help to shape self-esteem and self-worth, and can help develop a more positive and confident outlook on life. 

There are a number of ways that positive affirmations can help to build a child's self-esteem and confidence. First, by repeating positive affirmations to a child, you are sending them a message that they are valued and worthy of love and respect. This can help to boost their self-esteem and can also help to build their sense of self-worth. Some examples of positive affirmations can be:

• "I am smart"
• "I am capable"
• "Its okay to ask for help"
• "I am safe and I am cared for"

Positive affirmations can also help to counteract negative messages and beliefs that a child may have internalized. For example, if a child is consistently told that they are not good at something, they may begin to believe that they are not capable or competent. By using positive affirmations, you can help to counter these negative messages and beliefs, and can instead reinforce the idea that the child is indeed capably or competent and can grow to be better at something. 

One great thing about positive affirmations is that they can help to motivate and encourage a child to try new things and to persevere when facing challenges. For example, if a child is feeling anxious about trying something new, a positive affirmation such as "I am strong and capable" can help to give them the confidence and motivation to try. Similarly, if a child is facing a difficult task, a positive affirmation such as "I can do this" can help to boost their confidence and encourage them to keep trying. 

There are several benefits of using positive affirmations with babies and toddlers. In the short-term, they can help to calm and soothe an upset child. They can also be used to encourage and motivate them to try new things or to overcome challenges. In the long-term, positive affirmations can help to build a child's self-esteem and confidence, and can also help them to develop a more positive and optimistic outlook on life. 

There are numerous ways to incorporate positive affirmations into your interactions with babies and toddlers. One simple and effective way is to use them as part of your daily routine. For example, you can say a positive affirmation to your child each morning as they wake up, or each evening as they go to bed. You can also use positive affirmations during diaper changes, meal times, or any other time when you are interacting with your child. The key here is to build a habit of using positive affirmations, so that as your child grows independence they are used to practicing them in challenging situations. 

Affirmation cards or posters are a unique way to incorporate positive affirmations with babies and toddler. These can be placed around the house in areas where your child spends a lot of time, such as their bedroom or playroom. Seeing the affirmations on a regular basis can help to reinforce the positive messages and can help to embed them in your child's mind. 

One option for using affirmation cards is to create a set of cards with different affirmations on each one. You can then rotate the cards on a regular basis, so that your child is exposed to a variety of affirmations. Alternatively, you could choose a single affirmation that is particularly relevant or meaningful to your child, and display it prominently in a place where they will see it frequently. 

Wall art can also be used to incorporate positive affirmations into your child's environment. Wall art can be a more permanent way to display affirmations, and can add a decorative touch to your child's space. You can choose wall art with affirmations printed on it, or you could create your own wall art by writing affirmations on a piece of paper or canvas and hanging it on the wall. 

Olli+Lime has some fun wall art that can be used to help teach about positive affirmations, such as the Be Brave, Little Man, the Be Strong, Little Woman, or the Dream Big, Little One wall art pieces. 

Children often times learn best by modeling, so it is important to model positive affirmations for your child. Start by using positive affirmations yourself and show your child how to use them as well. For example, if you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, you can say a positive affirmation to yourself out loud, such as "I am calm and in control," or "I am capable and competent." By seeing you use positive affirmations, your child will learn how to use them themselves and will be more likely to internalize the positive messages. 

To further the impact of positive affirmations, it is important to provide a positive and supportive environment for your child. This means that you should try to minimize negativity and criticism, and instead focus on praising and encouraging your child for their efforts and accomplishments. By creating a positive and supportive environment, you can help to reinforce the positive messages of the affirmations and can help to build your child's self-esteem and confidence. 

Be sure to choose affirmations that are age-appropriate and relevant for your child. For example, affirmations for babies and toddlers might include statements such as "I am loved and valued," "I am strong and capable," or "I am worthy and deserving of happiness." While babies may not be able to talk just yet, hearing you use positive affirmations and teaching them early on can build a great foundation as they grow. As your child grows and develops, you can adjust the affirmations to be more age-appropriate and relevant to their current stage of development. 

Using positive affirmations with babies and toddlers can be a powerful and effective way to shape their self-esteem, confidence, and outlook on life. By incorporating affirmations into your daily routine and providing a positive and supportive environment, you can help to nurture and support your child's emotional and psychological development.