Do you notice that your children use negative self-talk? Do they call themselves dumb or stupid? Children are not wired to bad-mouth themselves. It is an unhealthy habit, but one that can be broken!
The good news is that simply starting fresh can change this behavior! Help your children start anew by giving them positive feedback for a job well done; for an answer they pulled from the back shelf of their memories; for the joke they were able to tell start to finish; or for remembering to return their books and movies to the library. Teach them that it’s time to start saying “Good for me!”
And to make it stick, use this little physical movement in addition to the positive self-talk. When your children have done something desirable – behaved in a positive way, kept quiet when they would normally have made a unwelcomed comment; or remembered something important for the day, teach them to kiss their hand and tap their head – up where their brain lives. Yes, kiss the brain for a job well done! Give this strategy a go and see how the brain responds. You all may be surprised when you notice the desirable behavior continuing to improve! Positive strokes are important for our emotional and mental health. You can help your children do this – and modeling is a great way to start – go ahead, kiss that beautiful brain of yours!