words of encouragement for kids

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Inside: These words of encouragement for kids will make a difference in their life, help them build a strong self-esteem and make them feel loved and appreciated.

words of encouragement for kids

I heard some loud steps in the hallway and then a little knock on the door. My son was coming back home from preschool with his dad.

I opened the door and I expected him to jump in my arms as he usually does after school. Instead, he entered the house without even looking at me and threw his backpack on the floor.

I knew that something was bothering him. I asked him about his day but I didn’t get too many answers. He looked upset and he didn’t seem willing to talk.

He took off his shoes, sat on his little table and started building a road from playdough. I sat on the floor next to the table and watched him play.

After a few minutes, he seemed more relaxed and I felt that I have better chances to find out what happened to him.

“I’m so glad that you came home. I’ve missed you today!”, I said as he was taking more playdough out of the box.

He looked at me and didn’t say anything.

“This house is not the same when you are gone. You bring so much joy to our home!”, I continued.

“Really?”, he asked, even though he heard this before many times.

I know that he needed to hear me say those words because they made him feel loved.

“Of course you do!”, I answered. “And I’m sorry to see that you had a bad day! I’m here for you if you want to talk about it!”

He stopped playing. He was looking down and a few tears came out of his eyes. I took his hands into mine and we both stayed there quietly for a few moments.

Then he started telling me what was making him so upset. He told me about a new ball game they played at school and how he didn’t manage to score like some other kids. I couldn’t really understand all the details but I knew how engaged he gets in games and I imagined how upsetting this was for him.

I hugged him tightly. He hugged me back and put his head on my shoulder.

“Do you know what I think? You were really brave to try something new today.”

“But I wanted to score not just to try!”, he answered.

“I know you did! But do you remember when you first played soccer with dad? You couldn’t play well because it was something completely new to you. And look how well you play now! Many things are hard at first but the secret is to keep trying.”

He stayed quiet for a little while.

“What if I ask the teacher to let me try again tomorrow?”, he said and jumped out of his chair.

“That’s a great idea! I’m so proud of you for not giving up!”

He smiled. For the first time since he came home, I could see joy in his eyes. And it felt so good!

That night, before bedtime, he gave me a big hug.

“I’ve missed you too today!”, he said. “I love how you say things that make my heart happy!”

It was so nice to hear this! And it made me think about the huge power that our words have on our children.

Words of encouragement for kids: Why they are so important

I remembered a quote by Peggy O’Mara saying that “the way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice”. This is so true!

As parents, we have such a big influence on the way kids see themselves. At early ages, they believe everything we say about them. And this plays a huge role in developing their self-esteem and confidence!

Our words can lift them up or hurt them. It’s in our power to use our words to motivate and inspire them!

Here are some of the benefits of using words of encouragement every day:

  • They boost the child’s self-esteem. The child will feel important and appreciated and this will reflect in their level of self-esteem.
  • Words of encouragements for kids help them build resilience and perseverance. A child that hears words of encouragement on a regular basis will be more determined to keep trying when things get hard.
  • These words will increase the child’s intrinsic motivation. Encouraging kids doesn’t have to do with common praises and sticker charts. It’s about helping them feel motivated and empowered to overcome challenges.
  • Children who regularly hear words of encouragement from their parents will also have more confidence when it comes to facing new experiences. This will help them develop a growth mindset and deal easier with obstacles and setbacks.
words of encouragement for kids

photo credit: Oksana Kuzmina / shutterstock.com

30 words of encouragement that kids need to hear from their parents

I’ve gathered here a list of my favorite words of encouragement for kids. I’m sure that you already use many of them with your kids but I hope that you’ll also find some good inspiration on this list.

If you want to create a habit of using words of encouragement on a daily basis, you can download the printable list at the end of the article and keep it at hand. Your kids will be happy to hear you say these words to them! These simple phrases can make a big difference for children and they are so easy to say!

Showing love

As parents, we assume that our kids know how much we love them. But the truth is they need to hear us say it! A simple “I love you” can brighten their day!

Here are some nice words of encouragement for letting the little ones know how loved they are!

1. I love spending time with you!

2. Thank you for making my day so happy!

3. I will always love you no matter what!

4. My world is so much better because of you!

5. You are loved.

6. I enjoy the things that we do together!

7. Thank you for making me smile every day!

8. I miss you when we are apart!

9. I am very grateful to have you in my life!

words of encouragement for kids

photo credit: Evgeny Atamanenko / shutterstock.com

Showing acceptance

One important thing that every child needs to know is that they are loved and accepted for who they are. This teaches them that they always deserve love and respect.

10. I’m very proud of you!

11. You inspire me in many ways every day.

12. I will always be your biggest fan!

13. Thank you for bringing so much joy to our family!

14. I’m happy to talk to you.

15. I am so glad that you are my child!

Building self-esteem

Showing kids love and acceptance is fundamental for helping them build self-esteem. Here are some other great words of encouragement that contribute to kids’ self-esteem.

16. I want to hear what you have to say about this.

17. Your opinion is always important to me.

18. You are a wonderful friend! I would have loved to have a friend like you when I was your age!

19. I am so proud that you are such a good and kind person!

20. You are strong and capable!

21. You are an awesome person!

22. I’m curious to see what you think about this.

23. You’re such a fun company!

words of encouragement for kids

photo credit: Sergiu Birca / shutterstock.com

Building confidence

Words of encouragement are also perfect for helping kids build confidence. Also, they can help them become more perseverant and resilient.

24. You are such a great problem solver!

25. You are so brave when you try new things!

26. Mistakes are just opportunities to learn new things!

27. You are important.

28. I believe in you!

29. You can make a difference!

30. Your ideas matter.

Download the printable list of words of encouragement for kids

words of encouragement for kids

If you liked this list of ideas and you want to keep it at hand, you can download it using the below link.

>> Click here to download the printable list

I’m sure that your kids will love each and every one of these phrases! They will help you make them feel loved and appreciated and this matters so much!

More inspiration from Playful Notes

>> Want to remember this? Share these ideas to your favorite Pinterest board!

Discover an awesome list of 30 words of encouragement for kids to help them feel loved and motivated. Saying these positive things to your child on a regular basis will help them develop their self-esteem and confidence! --- Parenting tips | Words of encouragement | Positive things to say to kids | Gentle parenting | Raising kids | Advice for mom #RaisingKids #GentleParenting
Check out this wonderful list of positive things to say to your child! These words of encouragement will make a difference in their life and help them build a strong self-esteem. --- Parenting tips | Words of encouragement | Positive things to say to kids | Gentle parenting | Raising kids | Advice for mom #RaisingKids #GentleParenting
Discover a wonderful list of positive things to say to your child! These words of encouragement will make a difference in their life, help them build a strong self-esteem, and make them feel loved and appreciated. --- Parenting tips | Words of encouragement | Positive things to say to kids | Gentle parenting | Raising kids | Advice for mom #RaisingKids #GentleParenting

photo credit preview photo: EpicStockMedia / shutterstock.com – photo credit mockup photo: maximleshkovich / depositphotos.com

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One Comment

  1. It usually happens when I go to the park with my daughters: I hear so many parents discouraging their kids when they’re trying to achieve something “too ambitious” by climbing on a staircase or going on a swing. Words like : “Ooh, you’re too little to do this . Or, Oh, you’re not strong enough to do that”. I cringe every time because I would never say this to my daughters and this is exactly the opposite of encouraging words. So yes, I think you’re totally right. We should always find words of encouragement for our little ones because they are so necessary!