Amen University
Raising emotionally healthy kids isn’t just about what you teach them in school. How you model self-kindness, emotional resilience, and compassion in everyday moments counts more than you may realize.
In today’s fast-paced digitized world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the parenting advice that comes at you from every direction. But at the heart of it all lies a simple truth: teaching kids self-compassion early on lays the foundation for lifelong mental well-being.
Kids need to understand that others have feelings too, that we all have strengths and struggles, and that we can work together to make the world—and their inner world—a better place. That’s why learning how to teach kids to be kind to themselves is one of the most powerful tools for their growth.
In this blog, you’ll learn how to help kids manage negative self-talk, be more kind to themselves, and improve emotional health.
The Truth About Improving Mental Health for Children
Kids today are navigating challenges that are drastically different from what previous generations experienced. From the pressures of early academic performance to the effects of screen time, social comparison, and overstimulation, children's mental health is being tested in unprecedented ways. That’s why raising emotionally healthy kids is essential now and in the future.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one in five children in the U.S. experience a mental health disorder in a given year. Even more concerning, children who lack emotional intelligence and self-compassion are more likely to struggle with anxiety, depression, poor school performance, and social withdrawal.
Fortunately, research shows that early intervention and mental health education can significantly reduce these risks and improve outcomes well into adulthood.
That’s why teaching kids self-compassion, teaching emotional resilience to kids, and giving them the tools to understand and express their feelings is so important. When kids feel safe to express themselves and are taught how to help manage negative self-talk, they develop the emotional intelligence needed to thrive throughout their lives.
Benefits of Building Confidence in Kids
One of the greatest gifts we can offer a child is confidence—not the kind that’s rooted in perfection or constant praise, but the kind that grows from self-awareness, compassion, and resilience. Helping kids build self-esteem at a young age not only improves their sense of identity and emotional health but also strengthens their ability to make healthy choices.
Research shows that children with higher self-esteem tend to have better academic outcomes, stronger peer relationships, and are more likely to avoid risky behaviors.
Other studies found that children with strong self-worth are 40% more likely to eat healthy foods and 60% more likely to stay physically active, which directly supports brain health and emotional balance.
By building confidence in kids and integrating brain-based strategies like the ones found in Amen University’s digital course Brain Thrive Pre-K – Grade 1, you’re shaping better students and healthier future adults.
That leads to more humans who are mentally strong, compassionate, and capable of leading with empathy. These are essential traits for both personal fulfillment and professional success.
How to Help Kids Manage Negative Self-Talk
Even at a young age, kids often internalize self-critical thoughts. Without proper guidance, they can begin to believe false narratives about their worth and abilities.
That’s why teaching kids positive self-talk is one of the most effective ways to promote emotional resilience and long-term wellness. Here are four brain-healthy strategies for how to help kids manage negative self-talk:
1. Name the Feeling, Then Reframe It
Teach kids to label their emotions by saying things like:
“I feel sad about…”
“I feel frustrated with…”
“I feel mad because…”
Once the feeling is identified, help them reframe it with kindness:
“It’s OK to feel sad.”
“I’m learning to share what I’m feeling.”
“I’ll get better with practice.”
2. Use Affirmation Practice
Encourage children to use daily affirmations that allow them to speak words of positivity and resilience to themselves. Here are a few examples:
“I am kind.”
“It’s OK that I didn’t______. I can try again.”
“I’m doing my best.”
These simple yet powerful phrases can help shift a child’s inner dialogue from harsh to hopeful. You’ll be surprised to see just how much this affects their brain function as they learn at school, with friends, and at home.
3. Create a “Kind Mind” Journal
Invite your kids to write or draw one kind thing about themselves each day. Drawing can be more fun and feel less like homework.
Plus, studies show that drawing has major benefits for their learning development and brain health in the most crucial phases. This habit fosters a pattern of self-kindness for children, especially when combined with reflective moments.
4. Model Compassionate Language
Kids absorb what they hear. If they hear you say, “I messed up, but I’ll try again,” they learn that failure isn’t final and instead part of growth. Modeling this behavior is crucial when teaching kids self-compassion.
Helping kids reframe their inner thoughts from criticism to encouragement is one of the most effective tools for teaching emotional resilience to kids.
How to Teach Kids to Be Kind to Themselves
Teaching children to be kind to themselves starts with one central message: You are worthy of love, even when you make mistakes.
When kids internalize that belief, they treat themselves and others with more empathy. And that’s when the magic of connection begins. Teaching kids self-compassion influences how they feel on the inside and transforms how they relate to their peers, teachers, and communities.
As children learn that everyone has strengths and struggles, they develop more patience, understanding, and a desire to work together. This sets the tone for inclusive classrooms, strong friendships, and better conflict resolution—something every parent, guardian, teacher, and friend wants.
Research shows there’s a connection between social-emotional growth and self-kindness for children. When children are guided to treat themselves with compassion, they extend that compassion outward which leads to stronger emotional intelligence in children and a healthier social environment for all.
Why Self-Compassion Is the Foundation for Raising Emotionally Healthy Kids
When you prioritize mental health for children, you're solving short-term problems that build a foundation for a lifetime. Teaching emotional resilience to kids helps them understand that setbacks are opportunities, not failures.
By helping kids build self-esteem, they become brave enough to take healthy risks or make better choices. When kids engage in positive self-talk, they learn how to self-soothe, bounce back, and believe in themselves through the hard moments.
Whether you’re a parent trying to help your child navigate big feelings or an educator looking to add social-emotional skills to your curriculum, the course offers clear, engaging, and research-backed strategies for every stage of early development.
Raise Kinder, More Confident Kids Today for Tomorrow
If you want to learn how to teach kids to be kind to themselves in ways that are simple, effective, and brain-smart, Amen University’s Brain Thrive Pre-K – Grade 1 course is your go-to resource. Designed by mental wellness and brain health expert Dr. Daniel Amen, this course gives you everything you need to support mental health for children with practical tools you can use every day.
From boosting emotional intelligence in children to teaching kids self-compassion, the course is filled with engaging activities and expert advice to help your child thrive mentally, emotionally, and socially. Don’t wait for kids to struggle before you support their emotional needs.
Sign up for Amen University’s Brain Thrive Pre-K – Grade 1 course today and give thekidsm the tools to believe in themselves, befriend their thoughts, and build a kind, resilient brain.
