Objective: To help students notice their inner self-talk and practice turning critical thoughts into supportive, encouraging ones.
Instructions:
1. This activity can be done individually, in pairs or in small groups.
2. Think of a recent moment that felt difficult (keep it light—like forgetting homework or feeling nervous in class).
3. Silently notice what your inner voice said.
4. Write down a few examples on paper, such as: “I’m so bad at this,” or “I’ll never get it.”
5. Now introduce the Kind Coach: a friendly inner helper who speaks with care and encouragement, like you would to a close friend.
6. Rewrite each critical statement as your Kind Coach would say it. For example:
7. “I messed up again” → “Everyone makes mistakes; This one mistake does not define me. I can try again.”
8. If working in pairs or small groups, the students may share their inner voice statements or help each other in reformulating the statements in the Kind Coach voice.
Reflection Questions:
1. What did you notice when you changed your words?
2. How did your body respond to your Kind Coach’s voice?
3. Which version helped you feel more motivated or relaxed?
4. When could you use this skill in the future?
5. Reference: Inspired by Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens (MSC-T) and MindUP’s Positive Self-Talk activities.