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.

1. Divide students into pairs or small groups.
2. 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.
3. Have each student share their situation with their partner or group.
4. 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.”
5. Have students practice saying their positive affirmations out loud to their partner or group.
6. 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.