Grades 2–5
Confidence Boosters
Match six times you might feel unsure, like a big test or a new team, to the affirmation that helps.
SEL worksheet · Affirmations and self-esteem
Put-Up or Put-Down?
Put-ups build people up and put-downs knock them down. Circle put-up or put-down for ten things kids say.
- Grade level
- Grades 1–4
- Time
- About 15 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Self-esteem, Positive self-talk, Knowing your strengths, Confidence
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- A put-up is a kind word that builds someone up. A put-down is a mean word that knocks someone down, even when it is said as a joke.
- Circle Put-up or Put-down for each one.
- “You’re a really fast runner!”
- “That’s a baby book.”
- “Your drawing looks weird.”
- “Thanks for helping me.”
- “I like how you shared your snack.”
- “You can’t play. You’re too slow.”
Teacher tip
Celebrate put-ups you hear in class for a week.
How to use it
- Model kind self-talk out loud when you make a mistake.
- Use it for morning meeting once a week.
- Model your own answer first. Kids open up more when the grown-up goes first.
Watch for
Kids who struggle to name anything good about themselves. Help them with a specific example you have seen.
Talk about it
- What do you say to yourself when you feel unsure?
- How might someone else see it differently?
Take it further
Record a class video of each child saying their favorite affirmation.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More affirmations and self-esteem worksheets
Grades 1–5
My Name Acrostic
Write your name down the side and a positive word or phrase about you for each letter.
Grades K–3
Roll an Affirmation
Roll a die, then say an affirmation out loud with an action, like “I am brave!” with a superhero pose. Great for morning meeting.
Grades 1–5
All the Ways I Shine
Fill an idea web with the ways you shine, at school, at home, with friends and at play, plus something you made and something you are learning.
Free for teachers
Get the free Classroom Drawing Kit
12 printable pages: six step-by-step lessons, a grid activity, draw-and-write sheets and teacher notes, sent with your welcome email. After that, new classroom printables by email.