Positive Self-Talk · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Talking to Yourself the Kind Way

Personal & Social Development · Self-Regulation & Resilience · ages 7-9
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Which one is an unhelpful thought?

    • I can try a different way
    • I'm stupid
    • I've done hard things before

  2. Which is a helpful thought to say to yourself when something is hard?

    • This is hard, but I can keep trying
    • I'm terrible at this
    • I'll never get this right

  3. The words we say to ourselves can change how we feel.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. Which is an example of using positive self-talk during a challenge?

    • Saying 'This is hard, but I can keep trying' out loud
    • Saying 'I can't do this' and stopping
    • Ignoring the problem completely

  5. Leo drops his ice cream and thinks 'I always ruin everything.' What is a more helpful thought he could use?

    • I always ruin everything
    • I'm the worst at holding things
    • That's okay, I can get another scoop

  6. Saying harsh things to yourself, like 'I'm stupid', usually helps you try harder.

    Circle one:   True   False

  7. Ben says 'I'm rubbish at this' when he's stuck on a puzzle, then gives up. What could he say instead to help himself keep going?

    • I'm rubbish at everything
    • Puzzles are dumb
    • I just need to try a different approach

  8. Amara falls off the balance beam on her first try, then says 'I've done hard things before.' What is she doing?

    • Ignoring the problem
    • Using positive self-talk to keep trying
    • Making an excuse to quit
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Talking to Yourself the Kind Way W1-mt_35-DhMh_Yr-s1

  1. I'm stupid · 'I'm stupid' judges you instead of helping you solve the problem in front of you.
  2. This is hard, but I can keep trying · This thought admits it's hard but still leaves room to keep trying, instead of giving up.
  3. True · Kind words tend to keep you going. Harsh words tend to make you want to stop.
  4. Saying 'This is hard, but I can keep trying' out loud · Saying the encouraging thought out loud, right when things get hard, is positive self-talk in action.
  5. That's okay, I can get another scoop · This thought fixes the moment instead of turning one dropped scoop into a judgment about Leo.
  6. False · Harsh self-talk usually makes you want to give up, not try harder. Encouraging words work better.
  7. I just need to try a different approach · This swaps a judgment about Ben for a plan he can actually act on.
  8. Using positive self-talk to keep trying · She is reminding herself of a past success so she can keep going after a setback.
Worksheet · LightMySky