Using Positive Affirmations Towards Reducing/Eliminating the Suspension/Expulsion of African American Preschoolers

 

Affirmation.  Educators affirmations teach African American preschoolers to think positive about themselves.  Webster defines affirmation as a positive assertion or the act of affirming. With this definition in mind, it reiterates why educators, paraprofessionals, administrators, directors, parents/family members, community stakeholders and others the importance of incorporating positive affirmations to all children but particularly African American in working towards reducing/eliminating the suspension/expulsion of African American preschoolers. 

Within the African American culture community and extended family members are key in the child’s life towards being the best educationally then positive citizens of society.  One can hear a variety of sayings used to inspire the preschooler to greatness and share frequently until the can cite by themselves.  The early childhood educator will introduce the sayings and explain the meaning to the African American preschooler.

Using the computer type the following to post throughout the classroom and say periodically throughout the day:

1. It takes a village to educate a child.
2. I think I can … I know I could (referencing the book, The Little Engine That Could).
3. “Say in your head, I can do this, I can!”  (Reference the book Riley Knows He Can by
            Davina Hamilton).
4. You can be anything you want to be, but today I just want you to be the best you that  you can be!  (Line from the book Dad, Who Will I Be? By G. Todd Taylor).
5. “Every day, I look into my mirror. I am a king/queen.”

In case, you are seeking out some YouTube clicks to reinforce affirmations for African American children.  Here’s a list to get you started.

A.    Powerful Affirmations for Black Children (1:49) -- https://youtu.be/PUzUbmSfsoA

B.     I AM ... Positive Affirmations for Brown Boys (4:10) --https://youtu.be/58-9w3DnxwM

C.     Black dad speaks affirmations over his sons (5:17) --https://youtu.be/C6BBPCdBKIk

D.    Little Boy Goes Viral for Daily Affirmations (3:07) --https://youtu.be/TdkP7lT_k-A

 

As I read, More to Me:  The Story of a 7ft Tall 3^rd Grader by Nnamdi McDowell where on the fourth page is a silhouette of a person playing musical instrument with different color adjectives written to the caption “There is more in you than you know”.  Once at the end of the storyline is the same silhouette but blank with the caption “What’s inside of you?” where educators and/or family members can write descriptive adjectives where African American preschoolers can hear from adult one word in the statement such as “Child’s name, you are bright.  Let me see your brightness all today.”  Remember, educators you can take photo of child or one sent in from home, child can draw him/herself or create foil mirror with different affirmations on the frame that can be stated out loud and/or child can use inner voice of their selected affirmation(s).   

The above information has heightened your knowledge on the importance of using positive affirmations for African American preschoolers to look into self that they can accomplish all things which are culturally developmentally age appropriate and build their self-beliefs.  Yes, affirmation are positive statements that will help to overcome negative challenges through hearing repetitive affirmations the African American preschoolers will start and maintain positive changes.  

 

References

Black dad speaks affirmations over his sons at https://youtu.be/C6BBPCdBKIk

Hamilton, D.  (2018).  Riley knows he can.  The Ella Riley Group.  London.

I AM ... Positive Affirmations for Brown Boys at https://youtu.be/58-9w3DnxwM

Little Boy Goes Viral for Daily Affirmations at https://youtu.be/TdkP7lT_k-A

Piper, W.  (1976).  The little engine that could.  Platt & Munk, Publishers.  New York.

Powerful Affirmations for Black Children at https://youtu.be/PUzUbmSfsoA

Taylor, T.  (2015).  Dad, who will I be?  Taylor Made Publishing, LLC.  Greenville, NC.