Unconfident children can improve their performance in math tests simply by saying nice things to themselves, a study suggests.
A total of 212 fourth to sixth graders, aged between 9 to 13 years old, took part in the research. The children completed a math test in two parts. At the end of the first half, researchers asked the first group of kids to talk to themselves about the amount of effort they would put into the second half of the test before carrying on. The children quietly told themselves: ''I will do my very best. '' Another group was told to consider their ability, by repeating the phrase: ''I am very good at this. '' The children were instructed to write down their given phrase, and repeat it to themselves while working on the problems, particularly when they found the work challenging. The rest of the children acted as the control group, and weren't required to say anything. A few days before completing the test, all the kids completed a survey on how they viewed their own and others' abilities.
Compared with kids who didn't do what is known as self-talking, those with low self-confidence who spoke about the effort they'd make did better in the second half of the test. The data led the researchers to conclude children who struggle with negative thoughts about their competence could improve their achievements in school by telling themselves they will put effort into a task.
However, the team said they did not find the same result among children with low self-confidence who spoke to themselves about ability, for self-talk about effort is the key. Meanwhile, they pointed out the findings may not relate to children of other ages, and more research is needed to explore this.
