We are knee deep in mandated standardized testing here in Texas. Reading/Writing test the first week. Science the next. Math after that. Talk about intense! Talk about stress! Talk about stamina for staying calm and collected. It is a lot for students, teachers, admin, and families. Buckwild, to say the least!
It has me thinking about the power of teaching students in our classrooms positive self-talk, or pep talks.
The science is out on self pep talks. Among researchers and scientists it’s known as affirmations, but as a member of society I’m cautious naming it that due to the ‘woowoo’ self- help association (but that’s a whole other post). I’ll refer to them as positive self-talk or pep talks for our purposes.
Positive self-talk is simply saying a positive, value-affirming phrase or sentence to yourself.
The thing is, there have been many scientific studies that show an increase in human flourishing when we talk to ourselves in positive ways.
As an anxious test taker myself, I’ve had many moments of panic when a thought popped into my head during a test that threw me off balance. “You’re going to fail” was a record on repeat my Sophomore year of high school. Back then, I didn’t have a mindfulness practice to even be aware of those negative thoughts. They caused a lot of self damage and low self confidence in my teen years. Now I give myself pep talks and I have a lot more self confidence.
We can strengthen our resilience with positive self talk. It can decrease stress. It can develop a more optimistic way of looking at ourselves and our experiences.
But how we talk matters. The statement needs to be true to our values of who we are. We can try using our own name instead of ‘I’. Using your name instead of I, research has found, can help keep the body regulated and avoid major spin outs.
Writing down our values before a test has shown to lower stress levels the day before the test. It can also help improve problem-solving under stress, according to a 2013 study.
With all of the research out there on the benefits of positive self-talk, it only makes sense to teach this skill to students during this stressful season. I was lucky to have taught this lesson to two groups of 4th graders, tweaking it a bit. I used it as a chance to have them reflect on their feelings and write down some positive beliefs about themselves to use in the future. They were in between testing weeks and it was a great opportunity to reap the benefits of positive self-talk!
Here’s a peek at what it sounded like in the classroom:
Connection:
Mood Meter reflection for Reading STAAR test.
“I’m so proud of all that you’ve done with the reading/writing STAAR. I was reflecting on how brave and confident you are. This was huge. It was a first for all kids in Texas and you did it! You might have had some big feelings during the test. Will you reflect with a partner about your mood during the test that day? How were you feeling before, during and after?”
Show the mood meter and invite students to turn and talk.
“When I was thinking about you taking that test, I was so proud of each one of you. You’ve been working so hard! And the hard work paid off that day. That was a brand new kind of test for all kids in Texas (ECR and SCR). And you did it!
I wondered if you ever told yourself, ‘I’m so proud!’ or ‘You did it!’ Take a minute right now and, in your brain, tell yourself what a great job you did last Thursday!”
Teach:
Positive Self Talk
“Trying something new or working hard towards something, like a test, can leave us with big feelings. For me, I’ve started learning how to make pottery and it’s so hard. I want to give up because sometimes I don’t understand how to do it. Or I work really hard and then make a mistake. But you know what I’ve learned to do that really helps me in the moment? I give myself some positive self-talk! Let me show you what I mean.
Imagine you’re at the pottery studio with me. Before I start, I might be nervous. So I say to myself in my head, “I’m going to do my best” Say it with me… Then as I start the work, I might start feeling overwhelmed with all the things I have to get done. That’s when I have another positive self-talk statement. I might say something like “I’ve got this” or “I can take a deep breath to stay calm and focused” Say it with me. Take a breath. Then afterwards, I make sure to show myself gratitude for working hard and trying my best. I might say to myself, “I finished and I’m proud of myself!” Say it with me.
Positive Self Talk can be really helpful when you are working towards something big or trying something new!”
Active Engagement:
Positive Self Talk Brainstorm
“Take a minute and think about what your positive self-talk phrase might be before you take the Math STAAR test. What about during the test? What about after you finish? Turn and talk.”
Some students had trouble coming up with a phrase while talking with a partner, so I added in a little mentor text: Call Positive Self Talk phone line (707-873-7862) press #2
“On a post it, jot down a sentence of positive self-talk. Start with your name.
Ex: Sarah, you are great at taking deep breaths to stay calm and focused.”
Link:
Positive Self Talk Letter to Future Self
“Now I want you each to write a letter to your future self. I want you to write some positive self talk ideas to your future self for when you need it most. Maybe it’s for when you take the STAAR test next week. Maybe it’s for you to read when you try pickleball for the first time or you learn how to swim this summer. Maybe you save it to read right before you go to middle school! After we write it, we’ll seal it in an envelope, take it home, and then it’ll be up to you to open it whenever you need to remember how awesome you are! “
Writing Work time:
Students will write a letter to themselves, reminding them how awesome they are including positive self-talk statements and phrases. Encourage students to seal it in an envelope and write ‘Dear Future ___” on the outside.
Share:
Symphony Share Positive Self Talk Phrase
Invite students to get into a circle with their positive self-talk phrase they wrote on a post it. Students will read aloud their phrase, moving in one direction, until all students have shared.
Have you introduced positive self-talk to your students this year? Your lesson might sound way different than mine! Put your own spin on it. It’s never too late to explicitly teach this strategy and improve human flourishing. You never know how it might stick and impact a student’s life positively.