Overindulgence

The developmental affirmations are ovals because the oval is a symbol of constantly renewing life and of hope. The sequence of colors reflects the rainbow, reminding us that moving through the developmental stages is a natural process.

• Stage 1 (peach) is “becoming” – prenatal
• Stage 2 (red) is “being” – birth to 6 months
• Stage 3 (orange) is “doing” – 6 to 18 months
• Stage 4 (yellow) is “thinking” – 18 months to 3 years
• Stage 5 (green) is “identity & power” – 3 to 6 years
• Stage 6 (light blue) is “structure” – 6 to 12 years
• Stage 7 (dark blue) is “identity, sexuality & separation” – 12 to 18 years
• Stage 8 (purples) are “interdependence” – adult years
• Stage 9 (white) is “integration” – end of life

Print out a copy of the developmental affirmations (pdf)

You can use them in any way that works for you. You can offer them directly to give support to children and to yourself. Here are some ideas. Be creative!

• Say them or sing them
• Post them­
• Make games with them
• Write down the one you choose each day
• Keep your daily chosen one close by as a reminder

Start Strong and affirmations

In addition to your Start Strong health and nutrition text messages, you will be receiving developmental affirmations, called Growing Healthy Children (affirmations for children) and Healthy Self Talk (affirmations for you).  A printable copy is available for a handout. Interested in receiving Start Strong text messages? Please fill out this form to sign up. Messages will be sent to you twice a week. They will come to you like your Start Strong messages and both messages will come to you monthly.

What are developmental affirmations? 

• They are positive, esteem-building messages for emotional health and growth.
• They are powerful, protective messages that give people permission to feel lovable and capable.
• They are nurturing and structuring messages that give people permission to continue to grow and to blossom throughout their lives.
• They are affirming messages that provide an atmosphere in which children and adults can "grow their gifts."
• They are lovable messages that greet the "child" within each of us with open arms.
• They are short reminders for people who take care of children to also take care of themselves. You can use these affirmations as self-talk for yourself.

How do developmental affirmations support growth at every age? 

They support:

• Children as they carry out the tasks of each developmental stage and foster positive self-esteem and resiliency. 
• Teenagers as they explore values and create healthy relationships on their journey from childhood to adulthood.
• Adults as they continue to grow and mature personally and in relationships. 

How should I use developmental affirmations?

You can use them in a way that works for you. You can offer them directly to give support to children and to yourself by:

• Saying them
• Singing them
• Posting them
• Making games with them

You give affirmations by the way you speak, touch, look, respond to, spend time with, interact with, and pay attention to people.  Don’t give an affirmation when you are angry or you don’t believe it. If you do give one you don’t believe, children may pick up the conflict in it and feel confused, or mistrustful, instead of affirmed. 

Developmental affirmations can remind you to provide, as well as you can, an environment in which children and adults can decide to trust themselves and you.