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.
Example: Use This Strategy 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.
Design It into Your Product
Additional Resources
Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
Factors Supported by this Strategy
More Metacognitive Supports Strategies
Checklists and rubrics help students develop their abilities to self-assess and revise their writing.
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 allows students to reflect on their thinking and feelings, process their learning, and connect new information to what they know.
Providing space and time for students to reflect is critical for moving what they have learned into Long-term Memory.
When students engage in a dialogue with themselves, they are able to orient, organize, and focus their thinking.
When students monitor their comprehension, performance, and use of strategies when reading and writing, they build their Metacognition.