Raising Confident Children: Mantras for Self-Esteem

Nov 29, 2023

When I ask parents what’s most important to them for their children, their response often has to do with the ability to make good choices out in the world and to feel confident in who they are. 

Confidence is a feeling based on a belief. Beliefs are repeated thoughts. Repeat something enough and it becomes your truth. So, one way to cultivate confidence is to repeat self-affirming thoughts.

Positive affirmations have been a part of popular psychology and have even been parodied on Saturday Night Live by the character Stuart Smalley played by Al Franken. Remember? “I’m Good Enough, I’m Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!” 

Some researchers estimate that the average brain produces about 60,000 thoughts a day. Many of these thoughts are unconscious and most are negative. The primitive part of the brain is looking for what’s wrong in order to stay safe. A child’s confidence may be affected by these negative thoughts. Thoughts like, “I’m no good. Nobody likes me. This sucks.” 

Since our thoughts are creating our reality, personal development includes becoming aware of thoughts and choosing positive thoughts. Affirmations do this. 

They program your mind for positivity. 

English words are helpful. Words like, “I am confident. I am brave. I am peaceful. I am kind.” We shout out these positive affirmations in yoga poses in our kids yoga classes. 

Sanskrit words, however, and specifically energetically potent mantras, have superpower.

Mantra is the repetition of a sound that contains an energy as well as meaning. It’s like sticking an oar into this torrent of thoughts and directing those thoughts in a certain way. All the mantras used in yoga are directing thoughts to something lighter and more positive.

Since Sanskrit mantras are so powerful, use them with care. We have selected the most basic and safe ones for children that can be used again and again. There are thousands of mantras but only a few will do.

There are three aspects to consider when chanting these mantras:

• Pronunciation: Learn from a teacher or a recording that is a trusted source. With a slight mispronunciation you could be saying, “mice” instead of “nice.”

• Meaning: When you understand what you’re saying, it has more power. Say the word, “ice” to yourself. How does that feel in your body? Now, say, “sunshine” to yourself and notice how that feels. You know what these words mean and they have a different feeling. 
• Intention: Of the three, intention is most important. Hold these sounds in your mind like a precious gem given to you by The Divine Mother herself. Repeat them with devotion and care and they will unfold in your life like a wonderful gift.

Here are two that are very popular with children all over the world.

This first one is asking the most beloved character in Indian mythology, the elephant headed Ganesha, to protect us. He is the remover of obstacles and has a very earthy energy so this is grounding as well.

The mantra is: Ganesha Saranam Saranam Ganesha

Listen to this lively rendition from a famous Indian spiritual teacher, Sai Baba.

This is a beautiful version as well.

Okay, one more. It’s such a popular chant!  

You can sing along or just listen. Go ahead and dance around the room if you like! 

Another delightful, positive mantra is Om Namo Narayanaya. It’s a mantra for world peace. I was wearing a T-shirt with this mantra printed on it when some children in my class asked me what it meant. I told them and they were very interested to sing it! They could feel the peaceful feeling it gave them and were very pleased when I told them that chanting this mantra was a way to send out peace to the whole world. Children care and want to help. This is a way to help them feel like they are doing something good for others.

You may even have this one in your collection of popular yoga music.

Both of these mantras do refer to Indian Gods. They’re very popular and have this powerful energy. Kids love myth and are typically exposed to Western mythology. If you’re open to other culture’s myths then try these out.