We are a School Psychologist and Classroom Teacher, each with over 20 years experience working in Inner City schools. We are passionate about advocating for the exceptional abilities of educators, students and families, hoping to inspire others in the process!
We offer a range of educational and wellness resources, ranging from social stories, interventions, to lesson plans, digital prints and workbooks.
Please take some time to enjoy our Wellness Playground!
We are a School Psychologist and Classroom Teacher, each with over 20 years experience working in Inner City schools. We are passionate about advocating for the exceptional abilities of educators, students and families, hoping to inspire others in the process!
We offer a range of educational and wellness resources, ranging from social stories, interventions, to lesson plans, digital prints and workbooks.
Please take some time to enjoy our Wellness Playground!
Digital Product | Instant Download | JPEG & PDF Format
112 AFFIRMATION CARDS INCLUDED!
Positive Self-Affirmation Cards
This bundle comes with 112 Positive Self-Affirmation Cards suitable for use with children, youth and adults. They are formatted to business card-size, and so can be easily used and accessed at a desk, in a binder, pocket, wallet, etc. Each card is unique in it’s saying - and contains positive self-affirmations, paired with engaging visuals.
Use them as deck(s) of motivational cards in a classroom - have students pick cards throughout their day to offer reminders of their potential, and self-worth.
Use them to keep in your wallet - pull them out as you need a boost of positivity in your day
Have students choose cards to keep at their desk, in their bag or pocket - so they can access these positive statements throughout their day, as needed
Use the cards as a lesson - have students choose from the deck of cards, and describe how the message applies to them and/or others. Make each card a teachable lesson!
There are several uses and opportunities to expand the utility of these cards. Use you imagination and have fun!
What’s Included:
112 Unique Cards
1 Zip file with JPEG files
1 PDF file
How to Print:
A. Choose your desired Card(s)
B. Print at home, or
C. Use a local print/copy shop to print for you, or
D. Upload to an online printing service to have the prints delivered to your door
We recommend using high-quality card stock for best results
PERSONAL NOTE:
We love what we do, and do our best to provide a wide variety of options, fun products, and flexibility in printing our digital files, all in attempts to make your life easier!
Please provide your feedback, so we may continue to offer worthwhile products!
Taming Your Thoughts is a Fun, Simple and Interactive Activity that Helps to Empower Kids and Youth to Take Control of Their Thoughts. This 14 page resource is in Powerpoint format, in 8x11.5 inches, and so can be easily printed. It is best suited for approximately Grade 3 to 8, but can be used across all elementary and junior high levels.
Children, just like adults, can be hard on themselves when it comes to how they think about what they do or say. This is particularly true for kids with mental health issues or behavioural disorders who may be especially down on themselves. They can get stuck in negative thinking patterns that can make emotions seem overwhelming, and contribute to social/emotional difficulties, such as depression, anxiety, and social isolation.
These negative thinking patterns are also referred to as cognitive distortions, cognitive errors or thinking mistakes – and they are very common, but often times are unrealistic, and need taming.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), teaches us to recognize and catch thinking errors that may be making us feel negative about ourselves, and provides skills to change negative, debilitating thoughts into positive, empowering thoughts. CBT can be learned easily with enough practice, and can help us and the children we raise and work with, to live healthier and happier lives.
The following exercise is a simple strategy to empower kids to identify, challenge and control their thinking. The strategy is preceded by clear examples, followed by concrete and simple to follow instructions and templates that can be used across home and school settings.
The General Overview:
Child writes down their current negative thoughts in the thought bubbles provided
Then, they use the subsequent page to write down their positive replacement thoughts
They then cut out the positive replacement thoughts and glue the upper tab to the top portion of the negative thoughts (it will work like a flap).
In the end, child will have negative thoughts, with flaps over top, containing the positive replacement thoughts
They can use this tool to practice replacing negative thinking with positive thinking!
Have fun with it! And, as usual, please feel free to leave a comment/feedback/suggestion to earn credits towards future purchases, and to allow me to continue to provide practical resources to my fellow educators. Thank you!
Social Story: Respecting Personal Space
High-Quality Colour PDF File | 8.5"x11" Format
This is a social story meant to help children to respect others Personal Space.
Sometimes our students do not have awareness of their own and others personal space. They can intrude, touch others, and speak too closely, making other students feel uncomfortable and upset.
This 10-page social story guides the student through the meaning the Personal Space in terms of a Personal Space Bubble, explaining that this is the space in which we feel comfortable and safe. It notes that staying an arm’s length away will make others feel comfortable and safe.
It is presented in a simple, fun and visual format, that can be easily printed and laminated, and can be used across all ages and developmental levels. It is in Powerpoint format, but in 8.5 x 11 inches, so it can be printed on regular paper.
I have personally used it in individual and group format, in elementary and special needs junior high/high school classrooms. As always, please leave feedback so I may continue to provide practical resources to my fellow educators. Thank you!
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD | PRINTABLE SOCIAL STORY
High-Resolution PDF | 8.5"x11" Format
This social story on Personal Hygiene is a resource for teachers and parents to assist children and students with managing their own personal hygiene.
This resource is 9 pages, and in PDF format (8.5 x 11), and so can be easily printed. It contains developmentally appropriate language and engaging visuals in order to engage the child in a fun and interactive way.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
1 High-Resolution colour PDF file, in 8.5x11 format
HOW TO PRINT:
Following purchase, your file will be emailed to you for printing.
Simply Print, laminate if you wish, and staple, bind or place in duotang or folder to use with students and children.
Download, print, and enjoy!
PERSONAL NOTE:
We love what we do, and do our best to provide a wide variety of options, quality resources, and flexibility in printing our digital files, all in attempts to make your life easier!
PLEASE NOTE:
No physical product will be shipped, as this is a digital download. Colours may vary slightly due to different colour monitor/calibration.
This purchase is licensed for PERSONAL USE ONLY. All Digital Prints are copyright of The Wellness Playground.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CHECK OUT OUR OTHER LISTINGS, AND FOLLOW OUR PAGE FOR UPDATES ON NEW PRODUCTS AND SALES. THANK YOU FOR VISITING!
When Someone I Care About, Dies: Grief Journal
In response to our brief social story on supporting a grieving student, we were asked if we had a more in-depth resource for our grieving kids - and, after a lot of thought, work and care, we finally have published a comprehensive grief journal!
This 43-page comprehensive journal is meant to act as a guide to assist children and youth through their grief journey. It is intended to answer some of children’s questions about death, and provide information about death and dying, and the feelings we may experience when someone we care about, dies.
Some examples of topics/questions covered include:
Why do people die?
Who is in our Circle of Support?
What is the Life Cycle?
Will the person come back?
What happens at a funeral?
Where does the person go?
Are my feelings normal?
Who can I talk to?
What happens in our bodies when we grieve?
What can make me feel better?
Will I feel happy again?
What are some self-care activities I can do?
What happens over time?
Grief glossary - what are some words I may hear when a person dies?
Self-expression page
The journal helps children to normalize the grief experience, and guides them through important topics and feelings related to the loss of a loved one.
The journal is in PDF (8.5" x 11") format, and so is easily printable and may be laminated and put in a binder or folder. It uses developmentally appropriate language, and engaging visuals.
It is presented as a social story, but also in a workbook-like format, where the child can contribute their own answers and fill in information that helps them to engage in and reflect on their grief experience. The intention is to work through the journal alongside a trusted adult, so they may be adequately listened to and supported.
As always, please leave your feedback and review so that we may continue to provide practical resources to our fellow educators. And, please follow our page so you may receive new and up to date materials. Thank you!
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD | INSTANTLY PRINTABLE | HIGH-RESOLUTION PDF FILE
Sometimes our students struggle with the need to move their bodies. This is a social story meant to teach students about Fidgeting, and what they can do to help themselves to fidget in healthy ways, without distracting themselves or others.
It is in PDF format (8.5"x11"), and so can easily be printed and/or laminated. It is presented in a simple, fun and visual format, and can be used across all ages and developmental levels.
I have personally used it in individual and group format, in elementary and special needs junior high/high school classrooms. Feel free to edit, as you feel is appropriate, to your specific situation/needs. I hope it helps you, help your students.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
1 High-Resolution PDF File, 8.5"x11"
INSTANT DOWNLOAD | 12 SOCIAL STORIES | PDF FORMAT |
RANGING FROM 3 to 8 PAGES EACH
This Social Story Bundle provides engaging social scripts for 12 common classroom behaviours. Each social story is in PDF (8.5x11") format, and uses engaging colours and visuals, and developmentally appropriate language for all elementary and junior high ages, as well as special education settings.
The 12 Social Story Topics Include:
Keeping My Hands to Myself
How to Ask for Help
Hitting is Not Okay
Kicking is Not Okay
Spitting is Not Okay
Running Away is Not Okay
Swearing (or saying mean words) is Not Okay
Throwing Things is Not Okay
Yelling is Not Okay
No Interruping
Waiting My Turn
What to Do When I Get Upset or Angry
Each story can be easily printed, laminated and either stapled, placed in duotang or binder, or professionally bound to use with students and children.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
1 Zip file containing, 12 High-Resolution colour PDF files, in 8.5x11 format
This is a social story that aims to:
(a) Provide basic information about this unique situation we are in, and
(b) To hopefully alleviate children’s anxiety and reassure them that they will be okay
The social story explains what Coronavirus/Covid-19 is, in basic terms, how it may affect the people around us, what symptoms to look for, what this means for school and social interactions, and how to ultimately keep safe and healthy. It goes on to normalize feelings of anxiety and worry, and reassures children that things will go back to normal and they will return to school, their friends and their favourite activities.
Please Take Care, and Stay Safe and Healthy!
INSTANT DOWNLOAD | 10 PRINTABLE SOCIAL STORIES | HIGH-RESOLUTION PDF FILES
This Bundle consists of 10 resources to assist children with developing essential self-regulation skills. Each resource is easy to follow, practical, and uses simple language and engaging visuals to communicate concepts. They are tailored to elementary and junior high ages, but are suitable across all developmental levels, for regular and special education settings.
They are in PDF, 8.5 x 11, format, and and so can be easily printed and laminated, and/or presented on-screen to a classroom. Each story ranges from 3 to 16 pages long.
The range of topics include breathing techniques, mindfulness, sensory needs, managing strong emotions, modulating voice volume, and coping with high stimulation environments and events.
WHATS INCLUDED:
10 Social Stories
Each in High-Resolution colour PDF; 8.5"x11" Format:
Social Story- How I can Relax with Calm Breathing (Basic Concepts)
Social Story - My Sensory Needs (and How to Self-Regulate)
Social Story - Stimming is My Super Power
Social Story - How to Cope When Things are Too Loud
Social Story - What to Do When I Get Upset or Angry
Social Story - What to Do When My Body Needs to Fidget
Social Story - Controlling My Voice Volume
Social Story - Managing Strong Emotions
Social Story - 8 Easy Ways I Can Practice Calm Breathing
Social Story - Personal Space
We hope this resource is helpful to you and the children you work with! Enjoy, and please leave your feedback.
This Bundle provides 12 Social Stories covering some Essential Life Skills that students benefit from learning. Each story is thorough, and uses plenty of engaging visuals paired with developmentally appropriate language. I always invest lots of time into the quality of visuals, utility and practicality of the social stories I create.
They are in PDF format (8.5 x 11 inches), and so can be easily printed and laminated. They may be used with elementary students and/or with older students in a special education or life skills setting.
The Bundle includes the following:
Riding a City Bus
Street Safety
Brushing (& Flossing) My Teeth
Getting Dressed (Indoor & Outdoor)
Making a Sandwich
Self-Grooming (Hair & Nails)
Taking a Bath or Shower
Using the Washroom & Toilet
Washing My Hands
Using a Stove
Riding a School Bus
Traveling on an Airplane
You will receive a Zip file containing all 12 social stories, ready for instant download. Enjoy!
This is a social story meant to help children to navigate and deal with bullying in healthy and effective ways. This social story validates the student’s emotions, by acknowledging how bullying can make them feel, and identifies that bullying can be towards them or others, and affect them equally. The script goes on to present differences between ‘bad’ choices and ‘good’ choices, and outlines ‘good’ ways to deal with bullying, to keep themselves happy and safe.
It is in PDF, 8.5 x 11 inch format, and so can easily be printed and/or laminated. It is presented in a simple, fun and visual format, and can be used across all ages and developmental levels.
I have personally used it in individual and group format, in elementary and special needs junior high/high school classrooms. I hope it helps you, help your students!
I always appreciate feedback and comments, so please feel free to leave your opinions and suggestions! Thank you
Many of our students have difficulties navigating the classroom and assignments, and in particular, ASKING FOR HELP. This is especially true with our students who are more anxious, worried, and have learning, developmental and/or communication difficulties.
This is a social story meant to help students ASK FOR HELP in non-threatening, and easy-to-learn ways. It provides an overview of what asking for help looks like, and reminds us that everybody needs help sometimes, and that even if they feel unsure about asking for help, there are easy ways to do this, it gets better with practice, and teachers and classmates are there to help! The social story consists of 8 pages of visual teaching of these concepts.
It is in PDF format (8.5" x 11"), and so can easily be printed and/or laminated. It is presented in a simple, fun and visual format, and can be used across all ages and developmental levels.
I have personally used it in individual and group format, in regular elementary and special needs classrooms. I hope it helps you, help your students!
Please feel free to leave your review and feedback, as I am always striving to provide valuable resources to my fellow educators. Thank You!
This Social Story: Stimming is My Superpower, discusses the concept of Stimming, a common behaviour in children with. The story reframes stimming as a child’s SUPERPOWER - in that it helps students communicate their feeling and thoughts, and to self-regulate by calming their minds, bodies and voices. It talks about and validates the various moods that can bring on stimming behaviours, and how to best communicate (using words and/or pictures) to adults (teachers, parents) about their need to stim.
The social story provides 17 pages of visual, child-friendly content. It is in Powerpoint file, in 8.5x11 inch format, so it can be both presented (projector or Smartboard), and printed out on regular printer paper. It can be used individually or in small group or whole classroom settings. It is best suited for Grades K to 6, but can be used in junior high and high school settings as well, particularly with special education settings.
As always, please leave feedback and review so that I may continue to provide practical resources to my fellow educators. Thank you!
This is a social story meant to help children cope in healthy ways when things (e.g., their surroundings) get too loud!
Sometimes our students become anxious and overwhelmed when faced with too much noise, whether it be due to people or things. Settings such as busy classrooms, malls, recess and gym class, a noisy classroom, birthday parties (the list goes on!), can be simply too overstimulating and too loud for our students.
This social story guides the student through normalizing these experiences, and then providing some simple strategies to cope and calm down in healthy ways.
It is in PDF format (8.5" x 11"), and is presented in a simple, fun and visual format. This social story can be easily printed and laminated, and can be used across all ages and developmental levels.
I have personally used it in individual and group format, in elementary and special needs junior high/high school classrooms. I hope it helps you, help your students!
This brief social story/script: Keeping My Hands to Myself, encourages students to keep their hands to self, and to discourage less desirable behaviours (e.g., touching, poking, etc.).
It is in PDF format (8.5x11 inches), and so can be easily printed and laminated. It uses simple language and engaging visuals, and can be used across all grades and developmental levels.
I have personally used this social story in individual and group format, and across nursery, elementary and junior high levels, in regular and special education settings.
I hope this resource helps you, help your students!
I welcome your reviews and comments, as I am always striving to create valuable tools and resources for my fellow educators. Thank you!
Sometimes our students struggle with the loss of a loved one. This Social Story: When Someone I Care About Dies, is meant to teach students about death and dying - in particular, losing someone they care about.
The social story guides the student through the concept of death (in basic terms), what death means (being alive vs. not alive), what various feelings we can experience after a loved one’s death, and what we can do to help support ourselves. It also touches on the various beliefs around death, including the afterlife. It goes on to normalize these feelings and emphasize that the grief process is healthy and we can do this on our own time, and with the support of family and others who care for us.
It is in PDF format (8.5 x 11 inches) and so can easily be printed and/or laminated. It is presented in a simple and visual format, and can be used across all ages and developmental levels.
I have personally used it in individual and group format, in elementary and special needs junior high/high school classrooms. As always, please leave feedback/review so I may continue to provide practical and meaningful resources to my fellow educators. Thank you!
This is a social story meant to encourage students to learn to control their emotions and make good choices, when they get upset or angry.
Sometimes our students struggle with the day-to-day social demands presented at school, home and other settings. This social story validates the student’s emotions, by reminding them that it is okay to be upset or angry. However, it then goes on to show what bad and good choices look like, and how to problem-solve in order to self-regulate, and make themselves and others happy.
It is in PDF format, and so can easily be printed and/or laminated. It is presented in a simple, fun and visual format, and can be used across all ages and developmental levels.
I have personally used it in individual and group format, in elementary and special needs junior high/high school classrooms. I hope it helps you, help your students!
This is a social story meant to discourage students from Throwing Things, as a way to deal with strong feelings. The story goes through why a student may be feeling upset or frustrated, and outlines the potential dangers of Throwing Things. It goes on to present alternative behaviours and safe coping strategies, and allows the student to offer their own strategy ideas.
It is in PDF format (8.5x11 inches) and so can be easily printed and laminated. It is presented in a fun and visual format, that can be used across all ages and developmental levels.
I have personally used it in individual and group format, in elementary and special needs junior high/high school classrooms. I hope it helps you, help your students!
Please leave reviews, feedback and comments, so I may continue to provide resources to my fellow educators that are worthwhile in reaching our students. Thank you!
The sad reality is some of our students, in their already vulnerable state, lack the necessary coping mechanisms to manage strong behaviour, emotions and feelings, and events in their lives, and will choose to Self-Harm or Self-Injure in order to cope.
This is a Social Story meant to help children and youth to navigate and deal with Self-Harm/Self-Injury, by Choosing Safe and Healthy Alternatives, instead. This social story validates the student’s emotions, by acknowledging their desire to self-harm, but stresses that these are harmful choices, and that there are some very healthy and effective alternative behaviours that can keep them safe, while getting them the help they need. In addition to suggested strategies, there is a page for the student to list their own personal strategies, as well.
This is an important topic that warrants a frank discussion, and I hope this social story helps get the message across to youth, whether they be higher functioning or more developmentally vulnerable.
This 8-page social story is in PDF, 8.5 x 11 inch format, and so can easily be printed and/or laminated. It is presented in a simple and visual format, and can be used across all ages and developmental levels.
I have personally used it in individual and group format, in elementary and special needs junior high/high school classrooms. I hope it helps you, help your students!
I always appreciate feedback and comments, so please feel free to leave your opinions and suggestions! Thank you.
Many of our students have difficulties managing their worries and anxiety. This is especially true with our students who are more on-edge and emotionally sensitive, as well as our students who have diagnoses such as: Anxiety Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, FASD, and Communication disorders.
This is a social story meant to help students manage their worry/anxiety in healthy ways. It provides an overview of what Worry and Anxiety looks like, and explains how a person may feel, and react when feeling anxious, and outlines effective and practical strategies to help them manage their worry/anxiety across all settings, but particularly at school, and in the classroom. The social story consists of 12 pages of visual teaching of these concepts, including specific breathing and worry strategies that can be cut out, laminated and used directly with students.
It is in PDF format, and so can easily be printed and/or laminated. It is presented in a simple, fun and visual format, and can be used across all ages and developmental levels. I have personally used it in individual and group format, in regular elementary and special needs classrooms. I hope it helps you, help your students!
And, please feel free to leave your review and feedback, as I am always striving to provide valuable resources to my fellow educators. Thank You!