That’s why we emphasize self-talk in everything we do. But here’s something important—there’s more than one way to talk to yourself. While positive affirmations (“I’ve got this!”) are incredibly powerful, research shows that asking yourself questions (“Can I do this?” “How can I do this?”) can be just as, if not more, effective—especially as kids get older.

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So how do we help kids shift their inner voice to one that builds grit, confidence, and self-belief? It starts with knowing when to use each type of self-talk.

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The Power of “I’ll Try” vs. “I’ve Got This”

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There’s nothing wrong with saying, “I’ll give it a go” or “I’ll try.” In fact, that’s often the hardest step—taking action. When kids are faced with something new or uncertain, even just stepping forward and saying, “I’ll try,” is a victory.

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Action comes before confidence. We don’t expect kids to feel 100% certain before they take a leap. The key is to recognise that trying is just the beginning. That first step is where growth begins.

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From Trying to Believing

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Once they’ve started—once they’ve attempted something, even if they haven’t mastered it yet—that’s when it’s time to change the language.

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✅ When something is new → “I’ll give it a go!”
✅ Once they’ve started → “I’ve got this!”

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At Kids in Motion, we help kids recognise when they’ve moved from uncertainty to ability. If they’ve already tried climbing partway up the rock wall, or they’ve done a skill before but are struggling with a harder variation, we encourage them to step into belief.

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Instead of saying, “I’ll try,” they now say, “I can do this!”

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When to Introduce Interrogative Self-Talk

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Positive affirmations (“I can do this”) are important, but as kids grow, interrogative self-talk (asking yourself a question) can be even more powerful.

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Research shows that when people ask themselves “Can I do this?” instead of simply stating “I can do this”, their brains start working on solutions. They don’t just rely on blind confidence—they start coming up with ways to succeed.

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🔹 For younger kids (4-7 years old) → Stick with positive, action-based self-talk.

• “I can do it!”

• “I am strong and capable!”

• “I’m going to keep trying!”

• “I can do hard things!”

🔹 For older kids (8+ years old) → Start introducing interrogative self-talk.

• “How can I do this?”

• “What’s the best way to try this?”

• “What have I done before that worked?”

• “What can I do differently this time?”​

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This shift helps kids take control of their learning and problem-solve rather than panic when things get tough.

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How We Use This at Kids in Motion

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I teach these concepts in our weekly Team Training for our coaches and leaders. But to teach it effectively, we also have to embody it.

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We don’t just talk about self-belief—we live by it.

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💡 Did you know? Three of our coaches have a tattoo that says "I can do hard things" as a daily reminder that they are capable of overcoming challenges. I even have my own reminders inked—"You’ve got to roll with the punches to get to what’s real."

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Because no matter how strong or experienced you are, life will always throw challenges your way. What matters most is how you respond.

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Why This Approach Matters for Your Child

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It took me a long time to realise that what you achieve in life is directly influenced by what you create—and what you create is a result of what you think.

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Right now, children are bombarded with thousands of messages every day—from social media, advertising, and peer pressure. If we don’t actively shape their self-talk, the world will do it for them.

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By introducing positive, empowering language early on, we give them the tools to navigate challenges with strength, confidence, and self-belief.

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How Parents Can Support This at Home

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🔹 Encourage “I’ll give it a go” for first attempts. The first step is action, not perfection.
🔹 Celebrate progress. Remind your child when they’ve already taken a step forward.
🔹 Help them shift from “I’ll try” to “I’ve got this.” When they’ve already put in effort, encourage them to own their capability.
🔹 As they get older (past age 7), start introducing interrogative self-talk.
🔹 Ask questions to help them problem-solve. Instead of “Don’t give up,” try “What’s one thing you could try differently?”
🔹 Model it yourself! Show them how you use self-talk in your own daily challenges.

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The Kids in Motion Commitment

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We are more than a movement program—we are a confidence program. Every session, every challenge, and every skill learned is an opportunity to develop not just physical strength, but mental strength.

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We take our role in your child’s growth seriously. And just in case you ever need the reminder, we believe in you as a parent too.

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You’ve already proven you have great instincts by choosing the right program for your child.

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Keep going. Keep encouraging. Keep believing.

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And remember—You Got This! 🚀