Introduction

Positive self-talk is a powerful tool that can help students build confidence, improve self-esteem, and overcome challenges. As educators, we can teach our middle school students how to engage in positive self-talk to navigate through difficult situations and foster a healthy mindset. This blog post will provide an overview of positive self-talk, suggest a no-prep activity for educators, offer discussion questions, and highlight related skills for students.

No-Prep Activity: Positive Self-Talk Journaling

One simple and effective activity to encourage positive self-talk in middle school students is journaling. This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator. Instruct your students to take a few minutes each day to write down their thoughts and feelings, focusing on positive self-talk. They can use I-statements such as “I can do this” or “I will get it next time.” Encourage them to reflect on their day and identify moments where they could have used positive self-talk to improve their mindset.

Journaling not only promotes positive self-talk but also helps students develop self-awareness and self-reflection skills. It provides them with a safe space to explore their thoughts and feelings, making it an excellent tool for social-emotional learning.

Discussion Questions

1. How can positive self-talk help you overcome challenges in school or personal life?
2. What are some examples of negative self-talk, and how can you reframe them into positive statements?
3. How does practicing positive self-talk impact your self-confidence and self-esteem?
4. Can you think of a time when positive self-talk helped you or someone you know? Share your experience.
5. What are some strategies you can use to remind yourself to engage in positive self-talk throughout the day?

Related Skills

Positive self-talk is just one aspect of a broader set of social-emotional learning skills. Other relevant skills for middle school students include:

• Self-awareness: Recognizing and understanding one’s emotions, strengths, and weaknesses.
• Self-regulation: Managing emotions and behaviors in different situations.
• Growth mindset: Believing that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
• Resilience: Bouncing back from challenges and setbacks.

Next Steps

Now that you’re familiar with the concept of positive self-talk and its benefits for middle school students, it’s time to take action. Encourage your students to practice positive self-talk by implementing the journaling activity in your classroom. To explore more social-emotional learning resources and activities, sign up for free sample materials from Everyday Speech. These resources will help you create a supportive and nurturing learning environment for your students, empowering them to reach their full potential.