Telling your child “I love you” is one of the most important things you can say. Those words create a foundation of security. Yet, children benefit from hearing a wider vocabulary of affirmation. Specific, positive phrases can build their confidence, shape their identity, and equip them with a resilient inner voice. These phrases go beyond general affection. They highlight your child’s specific strengths and inherent worth.
The new book Words Are Powerful: Blessings For Your Little One by Kelly Culver is filled with exactly this kind of intentional language. Drawing from its pages, here are five powerful phrases to integrate into your daily routine. These statements do more than make a child feel happy for a moment. They help construct a positive self-image that will support them for a lifetime.
You Are Capable
This simple phrase is a powerful antidote to self-doubt. When a child hesitates before a new task, declaring “You are capable” affirms your belief in their skills. It separates their ability from the outcome. It teaches them that their potential is not defined by a single success or failure. Say this when they are trying to tie their shoes, learning a new math concept, or facing any unfamiliar challenge. It builds a mindset of perseverance and resourcefulness. Author Kelly Culver includes this sentiment in Words Are Powerful to help children internalize a can-do attitude.
You Are a Good Friend
This phrase affirms your child’s social and emotional intelligence. It praises their character, not just a single action. You can say this after you observe them sharing, offering comfort, or including someone in play. It helps them recognize kindness and empathy as core parts of who they are. Naming this trait encourages them to continue acting with compassion. It moves beyond “that was nice” to “you are a kind person.” This type of identity-based praise is central to the message found in Kelly Culver’s book, Words Are Powerful.
Your Feelings Matter
Validating a child’s emotions is crucial for healthy development. This phrase does not mean you agree with every outburst. It means you acknowledge their internal experience as real and important. Saying “Your feelings matter” teaches emotional literacy. It gives them permission to feel sad, angry, or frustrated while still feeling safe and loved. This builds trust and teaches them to manage their emotions effectively. It is a phrase that fosters emotional security and self-awareness.
You Make Me Smile
This phrase creates a direct link between your child’s existence and your joy. It is a powerful statement of positive regard. It tells them that they, simply by being themselves, bring happiness to others. Say this during ordinary moments. Say it when they are telling you a story, when they are concentrating on a drawing, or when you are just sitting together. This phrase builds a deep sense of belonging and significance. It is a cornerstone of the loving connection that the book Words Are Powerful aims to cultivate between the reader and child.
You Are a Creative Thinker
This phrase celebrates your child’s problem-solving ability and imagination. It applies to so many moments. You can say it when they build a unique block tower, find a new way to play a game, or ask an insightful question. It shifts focus from what they are making to how they are thinking. It values their process and their unique perspective. This kind of affirmation encourages innovation and intellectual curiosity. Kelly Culver, a former teacher, knows that such phrases help children embrace learning and see their own minds as amazing.
Weaving these phrases into your daily life takes only a moment, but their impact is profound. They provide your child with a toolkit of positive beliefs about themselves. Each statement is a brick in the foundation of their self-esteem. The book Words Are Powerful: Blessings For Your Little One offers a beautiful reservoir of similar affirmations to draw from every day.
To discover more essential phrases that build confidence and strength in your child, find the book Words Are Powerful: Blessings For Your Little One by Kelly D. Culver. It is available for purchase now on Amazon and at all major book retailers.