Positive Affirmations

Overview

This lesson is designed for a class of 8 students, aged 9-11 (Upper Key Stage 2), as part of the PSHE unit "Embracing Change Together". The focus is on creating and using positive affirmations to support students' emotional resilience and confidence during times of change. The session runs for 60 minutes and aligns with the UK PSHE Association's Programme of Study for Key Stage 2.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand what positive affirmations are and their purpose in managing emotions related to change.
• Create personalised positive affirmations linked to their experiences of change.
• Develop strategies to use these affirmations to boost confidence and maintain a positive outlook.

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Curriculum Links

• PSHE Association Programme of Study - Key Stage 2:

  • Theme: Health and Wellbeing
  • Learning Outcomes:
    • Recognise that there are different types of change and how they can affect emotional wellbeing.
    • Use a variety of strategies to maintain and improve their emotional health and wellbeing.
    • Develop skills to manage feelings positively and constructively.

• British Values & Personal Development:

  • Promote self-awareness and mutual respect within a community undergoing change.

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Resources Needed

• Whiteboard and markers
• "Affirmation Cards" (blank card stock or printed templates with a decorative border)
• Colouring materials (pens, pencils, crayons)
• Smartboard or projector (optional) for video/audio demonstration
• A "Positive Affirmation Tree" display (large poster or wall space with a tree outline)

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Lesson Structure

Starter (10 minutes) – Setting the Scene

• Activity: "What is Change?" quick circle chat
  Ask students to share one change they have recently experienced (big or small). Write key words on the whiteboard.

• Introduce Positive Affirmations:
  Explain that positive affirmations are short, encouraging statements that help us feel stronger and more confident, especially when facing change.

• Engage: Play a brief (2-3 minute) audio recording or video clip of a child explaining a positive affirmation they use when scared or unsure.
  (Note: The clip can be teacher-created or a narrated reading of a simple affirmation.)

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Main Activity (35 minutes) – Crafting & Sharing Affirmations

Step 1: Understanding Affirmations (10 minutes)

• Teacher models 3 examples of positive affirmations related to change:
  • “I am brave when things feel new.”
  • “Change helps me grow and learn.”
  • “I believe in myself every day.”
• Discuss with the class why these might be helpful when they feel anxious or uncertain.

Step 2: Create Personal Affirmations (15 minutes)

• Provide each student with an "Affirmation Card."
• Guide them to write 1-2 affirmations tailored to their own feelings about change.
• Encourage them to decorate their cards with colours and symbols meaningful to them, enhancing personal connection.

Step 3: Sharing and Empathy (10 minutes)

• Students share their affirmations with a partner or small group (3 pairs or groups of 2-3).
• Partners reflect on what they find encouraging about each other's affirmations.
• Highlight the diversity in experiences and support strategies.

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Plenary (10 minutes) – Positive Affirmation Tree & Reflection

• Activity:
  Invite students to come up one by one to read their affirmation aloud and stick their card on the "Positive Affirmation Tree."
• Reflect as a class on the strength in diversity of positive thoughts, emphasising how each affirmation contributes to the group's resilience.
• Recap the key message: Using affirmations is a powerful tool to manage thoughts and feelings during change.

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Differentiation

• For SEND learners:
  Provide affirmation sentence starters (e.g., “I can...”, “I am...”) and offer one-to-one support during writing.
• For EAL learners:
  Use visual cues and simplified affirmations; pair with fluent English speakers to support understanding.
• High achievers:
  Challenge them to write a personal list of affirmations or create an illustration/story that demonstrates one affirmation in action.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observe participant engagement during group discussions and sharing.
• Review completed affirmation cards to assess understanding of positive affirmations and meaningful personal connection.
• Use reflective questions at the end, e.g., “How might you use your affirmation when you feel worried?”

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Extension Ideas

• Students keep a “Positive Affirmation Journal” to add new affirmations or reflections each week.
• Create a class affirmation video featuring each student sharing their own phrase.
• Link to mindfulness sessions where affirmations are paired with breathing or visualization exercises.

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Teacher Reflection Notes

• Was the concept of positive affirmations accessible to all students?
• Did the creative element promote deeper emotional engagement?
• How did students respond to peer sharing — did it foster empathy and mutual respect?
• Consider follow-up lessons incorporating affirmation practice and emotional skills.

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End of Lesson 9 – Moving forward with positivity to embrace change!