Literacy 4-6

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Positive Self-talk

Overview

When students reframe negative thoughts and tell themselves kind self-statements, they practice positive self-talk. Positive self-talk or self-reinforcements can help students shift their focus to what they can do and approach even stressful situations with more coping strategies. Research has shown that positive self-talk can improve self-confidence and Motivation while also reducing anxiety. Encouraging students to evaluate their writing and self-reinforce when they meet or surpass their expectations fosters positive Emotion towards writing.

Use It in the Classroom

Starting at 0:22, watch how this elementary student and teacher talk through positive self-talk as a strategy to tackle a difficult task. By role-playing the situation, the student recognizes the difference between positive and negative self-talk and is able to use words of encouragement to overcome the challenge.

Teachers can work with students to monitor their inner dialogue, recognize negative self-talk, and practice reframing those messages into positive, productive thoughts. Using positive, motivational self-talk after a setback or failure, like telling oneself "I can do it" or "I can get through this," can be powerful in changing one's mood, overcoming these experiences, and building resilience. Over time through frequent, repeated practice, students can develop a positive self-talk habit.

Design It into Your Product

Products can encourage positive self-talk through modeling positive messages of feedback. They can also help students build the habit of practicing positive self-talk through repeated opportunities.

View References

Resources

Below are additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.

Examples

How to Teach Positive Self-Talk

Blog with activities to teach and practice positive self-talk

Examples

Positive Self-talk

Lesson plan with multiple activities to prompt positive self-talk

Examples

Self-Regulation Skills

Video on how to encourage self-reinforcement for self-directed learning

Examples

Self-Reinforcement

Strategies for implementing self-reinforcement

Examples

Self-Talk

Middle and high school lesson plan to recognize, challenge, and change negative self-talk

Research

Metacognition & Self-Regulated Learning

Subtopic that includes research on metacognitive processes that help learners plan what and how to learn on Digital Promise's Research Map

Research

Self-Efficacy

Subtopic that includes research on the factors that lead people to develop self-efficacy on Digital Promise's Research Map

Factors Supported by this Strategy

Student Background

Adverse Experiences

Physical Well-being

Safety

Cognition

Literacy

Foundational Writing Skills

More Metacognitive Supports Strategies

Reflect on Learning

Providing space and time for students to reflect is critical for moving what they have learned into Long-term Memory.

Self-instructions

When students engage in a dialogue with themselves, they are able to orient, organize, and focus their thinking.

Self-monitoring

When students monitor their comprehension, performance, and use of strategies when reading and writing, they build their Metacognition.

Checklists & Rubrics

Checklists and rubrics help students develop their abilities to self-assess and revise their writing.

Goal Setting & Monitoring

Setting overall goals, as well as smaller goals as steps to reaching them, encourages consistent, achievable progress and helps students feel confident in their skills and abilities.

Journaling

Journaling allows students to reflect on their thinking and feelings, process their learning, and connect new information to what they know.

Literacy 4-6

Positive Self-talk

Overview

Use It in the Classroom

Design It into Your Product

Resources

Factors Supported by this Strategy

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