“Reflecting” on Feelings

How can we use positive affirmations to be kind to ourselves?

Objectives:

Materials needed:

Examples of reflective surfaces: laminated paper, picture frame, water droplets, etc.
1 foot aluminum foil
1 page of construction paper
Craft glue
scissors
markers/crayons

Background:

We can see different kinds of surfaces because of the way light hits them. When you can see through something, like a glass cup, it means some light can go through the object. When we can see through something, it’s called transparent. Other things, like solid wood, don’t let any light through. We can call those things opaque.
Some things reflect light back! That means the light hits the object and bounces backward.
Smooth surfaces, like a mirror, reflect the light rays at the same angle they come in, which makes a clear picture (but in reverse!)
- Demo this: imagine your body is a smooth surface. Hold your left arm out at an angle and imagine it is a ray of light hitting your body. Now put your left arm out at the same angle in the other direction – this is a ray of light being bounced back. If you widen your left arm, widen your right arm so the angles are the same, like a small and big V

Less smooth surfaces mean the angles the light is being reflected aren’t the same, which makes the picture reflected less clear. Imagine you are looking at a smooth puddle, and you see your reflection perfectly. What happens if you step in the puddle and it causes a ripple?
The mirrors we make today might not reflect a clear picture, but we will still be able to see ourselves in them
It is important, when we look in the mirror, to say positive things to ourselves: you might have heard this called positive affirmations before.
Affirmations are positive statements that can help overcome bad/negative thoughts
It’s normal to have negative thoughts sometimes: everyone has them! But when we listen to those negative thoughts, we have a harder time doing our best.
Using positive language about yourself, even if you don’t always believe it at first, can help make you less nervous, give you more confidence, and have a positive day. Eventually, you will believe it.
Your positive affirmations can be anything you want them to be as long as they’re kind words. A great way to start them is with “I am….” or “I can….”
For example, they can be about your behavior, like “I can do anything I try to do!” or, about your appearance, like “I love my curly hair!” or about some other characteristic, like “I am confident!”

Activity

Cut out the shape of a hand mirror out of construction paper – this can also be an oval with a handle shape taped on.
Cut a smaller oval out of tin foil and glue it inside the mirror shape. Try to smooth it out, but it’s okay if it still has wrinkles.
Optionally, write some words of affirmation around the edges to remind you to say positive things to yourself.

Book Connections

I am Enough by Grace Byers, read aloud here