Hey there, Joyful Journey Makers! Today, we’re diving into something that can make a BIG difference in your classroom: positive affirmations. These little nuggets of encouragement aren’t just feel-good phrases—they have a real impact on students’ confidence, mindset, and growth. And when you teach them in two languages, you’re unlocking even more potential for your students to thrive! Let’s talk about why positive affirmations matter, how they work in the brain, and how you can make the most of them in your classroom.
Why Positive Affirmations Matter
We’ve all had those days when we need a little extra encouragement—and our students are no different. Positive affirmations are short, empowering phrases that help students build self-esteem and develop a growth mindset. By regularly hearing and speaking affirmations, students learn to believe in their abilities, embrace challenges, and take ownership of their learning.
But here’s where things get even more interesting: when students learn these affirmations in both English and Spanish, they’re not only developing their emotional well-being but also strengthening their language skills. Imagine the power of telling yourself “I am capable” in two languages—it’s like a double boost of confidence!
The Brain Benefits: Affirmations in Two Languages
Here’s the fun neuroscience part: when students learn empowering language in two languages, they activate different parts of the brain. Learning and speaking Spanish and English lights up both hemispheres, increasing memory retention and deepening understanding. The more parts of the brain that are activated, the more likely the affirmations will stick! So, when students practice positive affirmations in both languages, they’re not only growing their confidence but also building stronger brain connections.
Why Positive Affirmations Are Important for Growth
Positive affirmations help students:
- Develop a growth mindset: Instead of thinking, “I can’t do this,” they begin to believe, “I can learn and grow.”
- Build resilience: Encouraging language helps students push through challenges and see mistakes as part of the learning process.
- Foster confidence: Affirmations remind students that they are capable, valued, and powerful learners.
As Spanish or dual-language teachers, we have the unique opportunity to introduce these affirmations in multiple languages, giving our students an even broader foundation for emotional and academic success.
Get Your Resource: Bilingual Positive Affirmation Mini Posters
I’m so excited to share with you my full-color positive affirmation mini posters available in both English and Spanish! These 16 posters are designed to bring a burst of joy, encouragement, and positivity into your classroom. Whether you’re focusing on SEL (Social Emotional Learning), building language skills, or simply creating a positive classroom environment, these posters are perfect for you.
Want to know how to use them? Here are some fun ideas:
- Mirror of Confidence: Use these posters to decorate a mirror where students can stop by, see their reflection, and read an affirmation aloud to themselves. A simple “Yo soy capaz” (I am capable) can set the tone for the day!
- SEL Cool Down Corner: Place the posters on a ring in your cool down corner. When students need a moment to regroup, they can flip through the affirmations to find one that speaks to them, helping them reset their mindset in both languages.
- Morning Greetings: Greet each student at the door with a different affirmation every morning. Not only does this build routine, but it also helps your students start the day with a positive, growth-oriented mindset.
- Around the School: For traveling teachers, ask if you can display these posters in different classrooms or even around the school. This way, students can see empowering messages in both languages, even when they’re not in your class.
Affirmation Relay: A Fun Bilingual Challenge
Here’s a fun new game using your bilingual positive affirmation cards that gets your students up, moving, and practicing their affirmations in both English and Spanish!
How to Play: Affirmation Relay
- Set Up:
- Divide your class into two teams. Place the bilingual affirmation cards in a basket or spread them out on a table at the front of the room.
- Each card has both the English and Spanish affirmation on it.
- The Relay:
- One student from each team will race to the front, pick a card, and read the affirmation out loud in English.
- They must then run back and tag the next teammate, who will come up and read the same card out loud in Spanish.
- After they’ve read it, the next teammate picks a new card and repeats the process, alternating languages with each turn.
- Winning:
- The relay continues until all the cards are read. The first team to successfully read all their affirmations in both languages wins!
Bonus Fun:
- Add Actions: After reading each card, students can act out the affirmation (like a power pose for “I am strong” / “Soy fuerte”) before tagging the next teammate.
- Reflection Round: At the end of the game, gather the class in a circle and have them share which affirmation they liked best and why.
This game is a great way to get students moving, thinking in two languages, and reinforcing those positive vibes—all while having fun!
This game helps reinforce vocabulary, pronunciation, and meaning—while making affirmations even more fun and memorable.
The Gist of it All
Ready to bring some positivity into your classroom? Grab my bilingual positive affirmation mini posters and watch your students’ confidence grow as they practice affirmations in English and Spanish! Whether you’re decorating your classroom, using them in SEL activities, or playing games, these affirmations will bring joy and empowerment to your students every day.
Resources
Cascio CN, O’Donnell MB, Tinney FJ, Lieberman MD, Taylor SE, Strecher VJ, Falk EB. Self-affirmation activates brain systems associated with self-related processing and reward and is reinforced by future orientation. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2016 Apr;11(4):621-9. doi: 10.1093/scan/nsv136. Epub 2015 Nov 5. PMID: 26541373; PMCID: PMC4814782.
Escobar-Soler C, Berrios R, Peñaloza-Díaz G, Melis-Rivera C, Caqueo-Urízar A, Ponce-Correa F, Flores J. Effectiveness of Self-Affirmation Interventions in Educational Settings: A Meta-Analysis. Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Dec 19;12(1):3. doi: 10.3390/healthcare12010003. PMID: 38200909; PMCID: PMC10779329.