For the Classroom

Confidence

Trusting and acting on my own judgment and abilities

Confidence empowers educators and students to take risks in learning.

When teachers trust their skills and students trust their abilities, growth accelerates. Confidence creates classrooms where curiosity and courage thrive.

Essay

Confidence in the Classroom

by Jill Tomey

How many times have you started a test, a presentation, or an interview, and your mind went blank? The panic that ensues guarantees that your mind will stay blank. It takes Confidence to steady the nerves and allow the mind to recall. What about those times when negative thoughts crowd your head? It takes Confidence to push those aside and replace them with realistic and positive thinking.

Students today face these same challenges at a much younger age than I was. Encouraging Confidence in the classroom is needed now more than ever. Confidence allows them to take risks, try new things, and persevere in facing challenges. In the elementary classroom, where students are still developing their self-esteem and sense of self-worth, Confidence is essential to their mental health. Students who feel Confident in their abilities are less likely to feel stressed or anxious about schoolwork. This is because they believe in themselves and their ability to succeed.

How will you uplift your students with Confidence?

Affirmations for the Classroom

I learn when someone helps me.
I speak clearly and kindly.
I treat every day like a new start.
I am stronger than my worries. I picture myself trying my best.

Confidence Resource Library

The Links below will take you to Resources like activities, lessons, reflections, tools, and visuals you can use in the classroom or in homeschool to teach the Character Quality of Confidence.

Featured

Confidence as a Sidekick Quality

Descriptions of how Confidence supports the other qualities.

Reading List Roundup: Confidence Picture Books

A curated reading list for teaching Confidence—plus a printable download and a link to the full Confidence bookshelf on Goodreads.

Confidence as a Core Value

Descriptions of Confidence as a Core Value and how the other qualities support it.

Connecting Confidence to the History Curriculum

Use stories of historical figures from your History curriculum to teach Confidence.

Fun with Character: Confident People

A classroom activity to help understand Confidence by exploring the difference between self-assurance and self-doubt by categorizing behaviors into "Confident" or "Doubting" groups, and reflecting on how to shift toward a more positive and confident mindset.

Fun with Character: Affirmations

A classroom activity to help understand Confidence by exploring positive self-talk and mindset shifts by converting "I will" statements into personal affirmations, and reflecting on how repeating positive beliefs can build self-assurance.

Fun with Character: Describe Yourself

A classroom activity to help understand Confidence by exploring self-awareness and personal value by creating and "giving up" strips of paper representing personal qualities and skills, and reflecting on how these traits shape our identity and decisions.

Picture Book Pick: The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes

A featured Confidence picture book—The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes—with a read-along link and ready-to-use classroom discussion questions.

No Matter How You Say It: Confidence

A quick language-and-meaning snapshot of Confidence, showing the word origins, sign language, and common idioms anyone can discuss.

Confidence Quotes

Looking for reminders that Confidence makes a difference? Explore the full collection of Confidence Quotes and find the perfect line to share, post, or spark a conversation.

Quotes

Celebrate Character Qualities All Month

Use the holidays this month to celebrate our other qualities.

Featured

Juneteenth Activity

A simple Juneteenth activity.

June Character All Month

A list of classic and quirky holidays in June and their connection to a variety of character qualities.

Summersgiving

A simple Summersgiving activity.

Build Community in Your Classroom

Try these activities!

Featured

Getting to Know You: Fortunately, Unfortunately

This lighthearted Team Building activity uses stories to encourage people to express their identity and values in a fun, creative way—boosting connection, conversation, and a sense of belonging within any group or organization. Spark fun dialogue and collaboration, and help participants practice quick thinking, positive interaction, and group energy.

Getting to Know You: Read All About it!

This lighthearted Team Building activity uses paper to encourage people to express their identity and values in a fun, creative way—boosting connection, conversation, and a sense of belonging within any group or organization. Spark fun dialogue and collaboration, and help participants practice quick thinking, positive interaction, and group energy.

Confidence

Trusting and acting on my own judgment and abilities

Confidence empowers educators and students to take risks in learning.

Confidence in the Classroom

How will you uplift your students with Confidence?

Affirmations for the Classroom

Confidence Resource Library

Confidence Quotes

Celebrate Character Qualities All Month

Build Community in Your Classroom

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