Affirmation Warm-Up

Time: 3 minutes
Purpose: Center the mind and highlight personal strengths before creating affirmations.

1. Mindful Breathing (1 minute)

• Guide two deep breaths together:
  • Inhale slowly for a count of 4, hold for 2, exhale for 6.
  • Repeat once to help calm and focus.

2. Personal Value Prompt (2 minutes)

• Ask the student: “What is one thing you enjoy or value about yourself?”
• Invite them to speak or jot down their answer.

Response:

3. Transition to Affirmations

• Acknowledge their response: “That’s wonderful—you value ___!”
• Explain: “We’ll use this strength as a foundation to craft your positive affirmations.”

Affirmation Creation Worksheet

Time: 7 minutes
Purpose: Brainstorm and craft personalized positive affirmations to counter negative thoughts.

1. Identify Negative Thoughts

List one or two negative thoughts you notice in yourself:

1. ____________________________________________
   
   
   
2. ____________________________________________
   
   
   

2. Brainstorm Positive Statements

Think of 5–6 positive, supportive statements you could tell yourself to challenge those thoughts. Write each below:

1. ____________________________________________
   
   
2. ____________________________________________
   
   
3. ____________________________________________
   
   
4. ____________________________________________
   
   
5. ____________________________________________
   
   
6. ____________________________________________
   
   

3. Select Your Top Three

Review your list and choose the three statements that feel most meaningful or powerful. Write them here and explain why you picked each one:

1. ---

   Reason: ____________________________________________
   
   
   

2. ---

   Reason: ____________________________________________
   
   
   

3. ---

   Reason: ____________________________________________
   
   
   

4. Finalize Your Affirmations

Write your three affirmations clearly below. These will go on your index cards:

Affirmation 1: ____________________________________________



Affirmation 2: ____________________________________________



Affirmation 3: ____________________________________________

5. Plan for Use

When and how will you use these affirmations? (e.g., every morning, before tests, when feeling upset)

______________________________________________________________

6. Reflection

After writing your affirmations, how do you feel? What do you notice about your thoughts or mood?

______________________________________________________________

Affirmation Creation Activity

Time: 7 minutes
Purpose: Guide the student through brainstorming, refining, and selecting positive affirmations using the Affirmation Creation Worksheet.

Steps

1. Identify Negative Thoughts (Section 1 on Worksheet)

   • Prompt the student to recall moments this week when they felt down or worried.
   • Ask: “What kind of thoughts tend to run through your mind in those moments?”
   • Have them write 1–2 common negative thoughts in the worksheet.
   • Follow-up: “How strong do you feel these thoughts are on a scale from 1–5?”

2. Brainstorm Positive Statements (Section 2 on Worksheet)

   • Explain the qualities of a strong affirmation:
     • Begins with “I”
     • Uses present tense (e.g., “I am…”)
     • Is positive (avoids “not”)
     • Feels believable yet uplifting
   • Provide 1–2 examples:
     • “I am capable of learning new things.”
     • “I deserve kindness from myself and others.”
   • Invite the student to list 5–6 statements that directly counter their negative thoughts.
   • Encourage creativity and honesty.

3. Select Your Top Three (Section 3 on Worksheet)

   • Review the list together.
   • Ask: “Which statements feel the most powerful or true?”
   • Have the student choose three and write each on the worksheet, along with a short reason for their choice.
   • Prompt: “How might each affirmation help you when you notice a negative thought?”

4. Finalize Your Affirmations (Section 4 on Worksheet)

   • Ask the student to rewrite their three chosen affirmations clearly and confidently.
   • Remind them that these exact words will go on their affirmation cards.

5. Plan for Use & Reflection (Sections 5–6 on Worksheet)

   • Discuss when they will say these affirmations (e.g., morning routine, before tests, during stressful moments).
   • Have them note their plan in Section 5.
   • After writing, invite them to reflect: “What do you notice about your mood or self-talk now?”

Tips for the Educator

• Offer gentle prompts if the student is stuck (e.g., “What would you tell a friend feeling this way?”).
• Reinforce effort over perfection; affirmations can be adjusted later.
• Encourage the student to keep the worksheet for future review and edits.

Once complete, move on to the Affirmation Flip game to practice and internalize these statements.

Affirmation Flip

Time: 5 minutes
Purpose: Practice internalizing and confidently voicing positive affirmations to counter negative thoughts.

Materials:

• 3 Index cards
• Pen or pencil

Instructions

1. Copy Your Three Affirmations

   • On each index card, write one of your finalized affirmations clearly and legibly.

2. Shuffle the Cards

   • Place the three cards face down and mix them up.

3. Flip & Read

   • Choose one card and flip it over.
   • Read the affirmation aloud with enthusiasm, using a strong voice.
   • After reading, place the card back face down and shuffle again.
   • Continue until all cards have been read at least once.

4. Enhance Your Practice

   • After reading each affirmation, take a deep breath and visualize yourself living out that statement (e.g., imagine yourself overcoming a challenge).
   • Optionally, say the affirmation while standing or with a confident gesture.

Reflection Questions (2 minutes)

• Which affirmation felt most powerful to say aloud?
  
  
  
• How did your body feel when you spoke each statement?
  
  
  
• When will you use this game or these cards in the future?
  
  
  

Encourage the student to keep these cards visible and play Affirmation Flip regularly to reinforce a positive mindset.

Affirmation Reflection Discussion

Time: 2 minutes
Purpose: Reflect on the impact of affirmations and plan for ongoing use.

1. How did saying your affirmations aloud make you feel?

• Follow-up: Did you notice any changes in your mood, energy, or posture when you read them?
  Response:
  
  
  

2. Which affirmation felt most meaningful or powerful? Why?

• Follow-up: How could this statement help you when you notice a negative thought?
  Response:
  
  
  

3. When and where will you use your affirmation cards?

• Prompt: Think about times you often feel worried or stuck (e.g., morning routine, before tests, after school).
  Response:
  
  
  

4. What challenges might come up when you try to practice your affirmations regularly?

• Follow-up: How could you remind yourself to use your cards or adapt the practice if it feels hard?
  Response:
  
  
  

5. How will you know your affirmations are helping you over time?

• Prompt: What changes in your thoughts, feelings, or actions will you look for?
  Response:
  
  
  

Next Steps:

• Keep your cards visible (e.g., on your desk, mirror, or in a planner).
• Consider journaling one sentence each day about which affirmation you used and how you felt.
• Revisit and revise your statements as you grow and learn more about your strengths.