Self-confidence songs and stories for kids

Quick answer

Songs and picture books about liking yourself and trying hard things: Daniel Tiger's "Do It Your Own Way", Sesame Street's "I Love My Hair" and "We Can Do Hard Things", Jack Hartmann's "I Am Somebody!" and Storyline Online read-alouds like "A Bad Case of Stripes". Use Repeat one for a pep-talk song. The last video is for parents.

Play all on repeat

Videos in this playlist

  1. 1Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood | "Do It Your Own Way" Song | PBS KIDSDaniel Tiger's Neighborhood | "Do It Your Own Way" Song | PBS KIDSPBS KIDSPlay from here Loop
  2. 2Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood | O Skates His Own Way | PBS KIDSDaniel Tiger's Neighborhood | O Skates His Own Way | PBS KIDSPBS KIDSPlay from here Loop
  3. 3Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood | Try it a Little at a Time Song | PBS KIDSDaniel Tiger's Neighborhood | Try it a Little at a Time Song | PBS KIDSPBS KIDSPlay from here Loop
  4. 4Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood | It Can Be Hard to Try Something New! | PBS KIDSDaniel Tiger's Neighborhood | It Can Be Hard to Try Something New! | PBS KIDSPBS KIDSPlay from here Loop
  5. 5Daniel Striped Tiger Wonders If He’s a Mistake | Mister Rogers’ NeighborhoodDaniel Striped Tiger Wonders If He’s a Mistake | Mister Rogers’ NeighborhoodMister Rogers’ NeighborhoodPlay from here Loop
  6. 6Sesame Street:  Song -- I Love My HairSesame Street: Song -- I Love My HairSesame StreetPlay from here Loop
  7. 7I Love My Hair feat. H.E.R. | The Not-Too-Late-Show with ElmoI Love My Hair feat. H.E.R. | The Not-Too-Late-Show with ElmoSesame StreetPlay from here Loop
  8. 8We Can Do Hard Things | A Song About Trying and Persevering | Emotional Well-beingWe Can Do Hard Things | A Song About Trying and Persevering | Emotional Well-beingSesame WorkshopPlay from here Loop
  9. 9Elmo Learns How to Build Resilient | Social Emotional SkillsElmo Learns How to Build Resilient | Social Emotional SkillsSesame WorkshopPlay from here Loop
  10. 10Elmo & Rosita Are Good Friends to Themselves! | Emotional Well-BeingElmo & Rosita Are Good Friends to Themselves! | Emotional Well-BeingSesame WorkshopPlay from here Loop
  11. 11Mindful Monsters: Self-Love Mantras with Grover | Social Emotional SkillsMindful Monsters: Self-Love Mantras with Grover | Social Emotional SkillsSesame WorkshopPlay from here Loop
  12. 12I Am Somebody! | Jack HartmannI Am Somebody! | Jack HartmannJack Hartmann Kids Music ChannelPlay from here Loop
  13. 13Positive Power! | Jack HartmannPositive Power! | Jack HartmannJack Hartmann Kids Music ChannelPlay from here Loop
  14. 14Be the Best You Can Be! | Motivational Song for Kids | Jack HartmannBe the Best You Can Be! | Motivational Song for Kids | Jack HartmannJack Hartmann Kids Music ChannelPlay from here Loop
  15. 15Go For It! | Inspirational Song for Kids | Jack HartmannGo For It! | Inspirational Song for Kids | Jack HartmannJack Hartmann Kids Music ChannelPlay from here Loop
  16. 16You Go! | Jack Hartmann |  Motivation Song for KidsYou Go! | Jack Hartmann | Motivation Song for KidsJack Hartmann Kids Music ChannelPlay from here Loop
  17. 17Chin Up - Learn to Stay Positive | Meditations for Kids | GoNoodleChin Up - Learn to Stay Positive | Meditations for Kids | GoNoodleGoNoodle | Get MovingPlay from here Loop
  18. 18'A Bad Case of Stripes' read by Sean Astin'A Bad Case of Stripes' read by Sean AstinStorylineOnlinePlay from here Loop
  19. 19'The Most Magnificent Thing' read by Olivia Munn'The Most Magnificent Thing' read by Olivia MunnStorylineOnlinePlay from here Loop
  20. 20'Calvin Can't Fly' read by Jonathan Pryce'Calvin Can't Fly' read by Jonathan PryceStorylineOnlinePlay from here Loop
  21. 21'Ricky, the Rock That Couldn't Roll' read by Marissa Bode'Ricky, the Rock That Couldn't Roll' read by Marissa BodeStorylineOnlinePlay from here Loop
  22. 22'No Mirrors in My Nana's House' read by Tia & Tamera Mowry'No Mirrors in My Nana's House' read by Tia & Tamera MowryStorylineOnlinePlay from here Loop
  23. 23'Remember to Dream, Ebere' read by Cynthia Erivo'Remember to Dream, Ebere' read by Cynthia ErivoStorylineOnlinePlay from here Loop
  24. 24'Henry Holton Takes the Ice' read by Ray Romano'Henry Holton Takes the Ice' read by Ray RomanoStorylineOnlinePlay from here Loop
  25. 25'Rosie Revere, Engineer' read by Lea Michele'Rosie Revere, Engineer' read by Lea MicheleStorylineOnlinePlay from here Loop
  26. 26'Abdul's Story' read by Tramell Tillman'Abdul's Story' read by Tramell TillmanStorylineOnlinePlay from here Loop
  27. 27'The King of Kindergarten' read by Terry Crews'The King of Kindergarten' read by Terry CrewsStorylineOnlinePlay from here Loop
  28. 28The Day You Begin - Read Aloud Picture Book | Brightly StorytimeThe Day You Begin - Read Aloud Picture Book | Brightly StorytimeBrightly StorytimePlay from here Loop
  29. 29Patience, Perseverance, and Mindfulness | What's a Duck to Do? | Circle Time with Khan Academy KidsPatience, Perseverance, and Mindfulness | What's a Duck to Do? | Circle Time with Khan Academy KidsKhan Academy KidsPlay from here Loop
  30. 30How do I help my child build healthy self-esteem? I Child Mind InstituteHow do I help my child build healthy self-esteem? I Child Mind InstituteChild Mind InstitutePlay from here Loop

How do songs and stories build a child's confidence?

They give children simple words to say to themselves, like "I can try a little at a time", and show characters who feel unsure, keep going and are liked just as they are. A favorite story can be revisited before a test or a new activity.

How can RepeatWatch help a child learn a confidence song?

Choose Repeat one on a song like "I Am Somebody!" and slow it to 0.75× so new readers can follow the captions. Drag A and B around the chorus to practice it as a morning mantra, then set Stop after to end it after a few loops.

Frequently asked questions

Which video is for parents?

The last video, from the Child Mind Institute, explains how parents can help a child build healthy self-esteem. Everything else is for children in grades 1–2 (ages 6–8) and younger siblings.

What if my child often says they are bad at everything?

Everyone has down days, and praise for effort rather than results tends to help. If negative talk about themselves is frequent or lasting, talk with your child's teacher, doctor or school counselor.