Introduction
As educators, we understand that learning is a process that involves both successes and setbacks. It’s essential for students, especially those in special education, to develop resilience and a growth mindset. One powerful way to help students overcome challenges and bounce back from mistakes is by teaching them positive self-talk. This blog post will guide you through an easy, no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help your students build resilience and embrace their learning journey.
No-Prep Activity
This activity, called “Positive Affirmations,” requires no preparation or materials from the educator. It is designed to help students practice positive self-talk and develop a growth mindset.
- Divide students into pairs or small groups.
- Ask each student to think of a situation where they made a mistake or faced a challenge. It could be a recent event or something from the past.
- Have each student share their situation with their partner or group.
- Next, encourage students to come up with three positive affirmations or self-talk statements that they can use to remind themselves that making mistakes is a natural part of learning. For example, “I may not know the answer now, but I can learn it,” or “It’s okay to make mistakes; that’s how I grow.”
- Have students practice saying their positive affirmations out loud to their partner or group.
- As a class, discuss how using positive self-talk can help students build resilience and overcome challenges.
Discussion Questions
- How did it feel to share a mistake or challenge with your partner or group? Did you notice any similarities in your experiences?
- How can positive self-talk help you overcome challenges and learn from mistakes?
- Why is it important to remember that no one is perfect and that making mistakes is a natural part of learning?
- How can you practice positive self-talk in your daily life?
- What other strategies can help you build resilience and a growth mindset?
Related Skills
Positive self-talk is just one component of Social-Emotional Learning. Other related skills that can help students in special education develop resilience and a growth mindset include:
- Goal-setting and tracking progress
- Developing coping strategies for stress and anxiety
- Practicing empathy and understanding the perspectives of others
- Building strong communication and collaboration skills
- Cultivating gratitude and focusing on the positives
Next Steps
Now that you have learned about the power of positive self-talk and its role in building resilience, we encourage you to explore more resources and activities to support your students’ social-emotional growth. To get started, sign up for free samples of skill-building materials and activities at Everyday Speech. You’ll find a wide range of resources designed to help students develop essential life skills, including communication, empathy, and self-awareness. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your students’ learning journey and foster their resilience in the face of challenges.
