The Enduring Power of Affirmations

When I step into a classroom, I feel the energy immediately. Some rooms feel warm; students know they are valued and seen, and there’s an invigorating energy. Others, despite best intentions, feel more sterile, cold, and not quite as welcoming. One small, often ignored shift that can transform any classroom is the power of positive affirmations.

Recently, I’ve observed many classrooms where the use of affirmations (simple words of encouragement and recognition) has started to fade. This is common after the holidays when teachers begin focusing more on test-taking strategies and getting all standards covered.

I’ve seen teachers, with a simple adjustment and a few fresh ideas, rediscover how transformative this small shift back to affirmations can be. When teachers consistently notice and affirm their students, it creates a ripple effect, which promotes enthusiasm, belonging, and a positive feeling by everyone in the classroom.

Feeling Seen

We know that students even at the college level who feel a sense of belonging in school are more engaged, more motivated, and more likely to take academic risks. Affirmations work because they reinforce a feeling of belonging for the entire class.

This small shift changes the focus from individual work to contribution, and from mundane to positive recognition.

Small Words Lead to Meaningful Impact

It doesn’t take elaborate systems or fancy reward charts to implement affirmations. The most unstructured, sincere comments often have the greatest impact. Here are some simple affirmations that help elementary students feel seen.

• “I noticed how you kept trying, even when that problem was difficult. That shows real perseverance.”
• “Thank you for following directions the first time. It helps us continue learning without interruptions.”
• “I love the creativity in your answer—thinking differently is an important skill.”
• “That was a great question. You’re really making us all think!”
• “You made it to school today, and I’m so glad you’re here.”

Affirmations are powerful, creating intentional structures for recognizing students that can ensure that all learners feel valued, a part of the classroom family, and seen as an individual who brings value to the school. Here are a few simple ways to integrate affirmations into your daily routine.

• Morning meetings: Start the day with a “Good News or a Gratitude” moment, when students and teachers can affirm one another.
• Exit tickets: Ask students to share something they are proud of that day or an effort they noticed in a peer.
• Affirmation walls: Dedicate a space in the classroom where students and teachers can post affirmations for each other.
• Journals or notes: Write a quick note of encouragement to students. Write it in their notebook or on their desk, or send a postcard home.

Affirmations matter at every stage of learning, and they can be tailored to fit different grade levels:

• Primary (K–2): Use quick, playful affirmations like “I love how you’re sitting crisscross applesauce and ready to learn!” or “You’re showing kindness by helping your friend.”
• Upper elementary (grades 3–5): Recognize effort and participation with “I see how much focus you’re putting into your writing” or “That was a great strategy you just used—thank you for sharing it with us!”

Classroom Transformation

I’ve worked with teachers who were skeptical at first. They told me they simply didn’t believe such a small gesture would make any real difference and thought they would be wasting their breath. But after trying it consistently, they noticed real changes in their students. They quickly became more engaged, more willing to try to work at something longer, and even more supportive of one another.

A fourth-grade teacher told me, “Once I started intentionally affirming my students, I saw a change in how they encouraged each other. They started using affirmations, too.” I help teachers realize that this tiny shift can impact the entire classroom environment, especially the way the teacher feels.

A powerful moment happened in a fifth-grade classroom I visited. The teacher began regularly affirming students for their efforts to follow directions the first time they were given, quick transitions, attention to detail, and demonstrating integrity.

One day, a quiet student who had rarely participated shared during a math discussion. Another student turned to them and said, “That was a great idea—you helped me understand that better.” The teacher later told me it was the first time in months the student had shared their thinking in front of the class. This is the power of affirmations. This small shift can transform the classroom into a space where students feel safe taking risks.

Notice and Affirm

The best part about affirmations? They cost nothing and take only seconds. My challenge to every teacher is to set a goal to intentionally affirm at least three students every day for something beyond classwork—affirm their effort, curiosity, kindness, or resilience. Watch how it shifts your classroom climate and brings a feeling of joy to you and your classroom.

If you want to take it one step further, consider making affirmation checklists or sticky notes for students to use with each other. When students are encouraged to notice and affirm one another, the impact can be powerful.

Noticing students is a simple move, but it has a major impact. A few words of encouragement might be the difference between a child feeling invisible or feeling like they belong. And when students feel like they belong, they bloom.