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!

This social story, “staying focused during lessons”, is tailored to elementary students and teaches them that in the classroom, we learn many exciting things every day. Sometimes, it can be hard to pay attention, but focusing helps us understand and enjoy our lessons better. This story will share some fun tips and techniques that can help our students stay on track and be great learners. This social story conveys these themes using practical examples, engaging visuals, and developmentally appropriate language. It is best suited to K-6, and special education settings. We hope this social story helps you, help the children you work with! This 14-page social story conveys these themes using practical examples, engaging visuals, and developmentally appropriate language. It is best suited to K-6, and special education settings. We hope this social story helps you, help the children you work with! What You Will Receive: 1 high-quality PDF file 8.5"x11" in size 14 Pages How to Use: After uploading product, save file to your device Print either at home, or via local print provider or online print service Bind, laminate, or place in duotang to use with your students Personal Note: Should you require a different file format or size, let us know and we can do this for you. We love what we do and so would appreciate your feedback and review so we can continue to provide practical resources to our fellow educators. THANK YOU.

Social Story: Getting Ready for Recess Recess is an important part of every student’s school day. Teaching our students the rules and procedures for getting ready for recess and what to expect before, during and after, is an essential skill for our students to learn in order to be happy and safe. This social story reviews this topic, covering a variety of details around getting ready for recess, and provides a checklist for students to practice and follow. This 15-page social story conveys these themes using practical examples, engaging visuals, and developmentally appropriate language. It is best suited to K-6, and special education settings. We hope this social story helps you, help the children you work with! What You Will Receive: 1 high-quality PDF file 8.5"x11" in size 15 Pages How to Use: After uploading product, save file to your device Print either at home, or via local print provider or online print service Bind, laminate, or place in duotang to use with your students Personal Note: Should you require a different file format or size, let us know and we can do this for you. We love what we do and so **would appreciate your feedback and review **so we can continue to provide practical resources to our fellow educators. Thank you!

Social Story: What to Do in the Classroom Knowing what to do in the classroom is an essential part of adjusting to the school routine. This social story guides students through common classroom routines, including rules, behavioural expectations and responsibilities. Topics range from listening, raising hands, using a quiet voice, responsible use of school tools, sharing and taking turns, cleaning up, and having fun. This social story conveys these themes using practical examples, engaging visuals, and developmentally appropriate language. It is best suited to K-6, and special education settings. We hope this social story helps you, help the children you work with! What You Will Receive: 1 high-quality PDF file 8.5"x11" in size 14 Pages How to Use: After uploading product, save file to your device Print either at home, or via local print provider or online print service Bind, laminate, or place in duotang to use with your students Personal Note: Should you require a different file format or size, let us know and we can do this for you. We love what we do and so would appreciate your feedback and review so we can continue to provide practical resources to our fellow educators. 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!

Our students and children often struggle with managing their emotions and feelings, especially when these emotions are strong and overwhelming. It can be difficult to understand how to manage emotions in the midst of stress, and how to juggle more than one emotion at a time. This Social Story is meant to provide students with clear, step-by-step guidance and instruction around How to Manage Strong Emotions. This includes: A. Normalizing the experience of having strong emotions B. Examples of common emotions C. Examples of what being extremely excited, angry, and worried might look like, both mentally and physically D. Introducing effective strategies to Calm and Process strong emotions E. Offering space for the student to come up with their Own strategies F. Reinforcing the importance of learning this skill! This 11-page social story is in PDF format, and can be easily printed and laminated. It contains engaging visuals and developmentally appropriate language. It is best suited for elementary students (Gr. K-6) and students in special education/life skills classroom settings. As always, I encourage you to leave a review/feedback, so I may continue to provide practical resources to my fellow educators. Thank you!

Many of our students have difficulties modulating and controlling the volume of their voices. This is especially true with our students who have issues with language, impulse control, and limited social awareness (e.g., language disorder, deaf/hard of hearing, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, FASD, etc.). This is a social story meant to help children to practice controlling the volume of their voice, across all settings, but particularly at school, and in the classroom. The social story consists of 13 pages of visual teaching of these concepts. It provides an overview of what Voice Volume looks like, from Not Talking at all, to Soft/Quiet, to Medium, to Loud and Extra Loud. This story explains that each volume level can be appropriate, but only in the right place and situation, and right time - providing examples of what this looks like. Included in the story is a VOICE VOLUME METER visual, that incorporates a 1-5 rating scale, and corresponding visuals and descriptors. This visual aid can be laminated and used in the classroom and at home, either on the wall or in a binder. 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!

The Social Story: Coping with Change, was created in order to help students and children to learn about what change means, and more importantly, to share effective and practical ways to cope with change in our lives. The story cites several examples of what change means, what change looks like (seasons, weather, time, family, friends, where we live, where we go to school, how we feel, our thoughts, looks, etc.), and how change can affect our daily life. It speaks to normalizing change and reinforces that change is normal and okay! The story discusses how some change is expected and planned, while other change is unexpected and sudden. It goes on to outline how change may cause us to feel and react, and how we can self-regulate in order to handle change effectively at home and school, or other setting. This 10-page social story is in PDF format, 8.5x11, and can be easily printed and laminated. It uses clear language and engaging visuals, and while tailored for elementary years, is suited to all developmental and grade levels, across regular and special education settings.

INSTANT DOWNLOAD | PRINTABLE WORKBOOK High-Quality PDF | 8.5"x11" Format How to Tame Your Worry Monster: An Anxiety Workbook This 30-page anxiety workbook was created to educate and support children and youth with managing their worries and anxiety in a fun, creative, and engaging way. It may be used independently or with guidance from an adult. We hope it offers some strategies and a glimmer of hope to anyone who uses it. What You Will Receive: 30-Page Digital Workbook High-Resolution Colour PDF 8.5"x11" Format for Easy Printing This is a DIGITAL DOWNLOAD. You WILL NOT receive a physical product. How to Download: A. Download the PDF file 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 E. Bind or staple, or place in duotang or folder 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! 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!

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!

This Social Emotional Learning Journal is a resource meant to facilitate healthy conversations with students around their mental health and social emotional well being, in fun and interactive ways. It is ideal for students Grades 3-6, but may be used with older students as well. It is a great tool for educators, guidance counselors, school psychologists and therapists to use with their clients and students. It covers a variety of topics such as family health, self-esteem, interests/hobbies, passions, future-goals, strategies for recognizing and managing feelings, worries and behaviours, and many more topics related to mental health and wellness. This resource is 46 pages, and in High-Resolution 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 provide your feedback, so we may continue to offer worthwhile products! 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. FEEL FREE TO CHECK OUT OUR OTHER LISTINGS, and BE SURE TO FOLLOW OUR PAGE FOR UPDATES ON NEW PRODUCTS AND SALES.

This Social Story, entitled My ADHD & ME: Strategies for Life! is something I created in order to not only educate, but to empower children and youth with ADHD, in order to better understand themselves, to advocate for themselves, and learn strategies to utilize their many strengths, in life. Children and youth with ADHD need to be educated on what ADHD means, what it brings (both challenges and positive strengths) and how to best manage it, so that they may experience life to the fullest! This 20 page social story is more of a Success Guide for Life, for children and youth with ADHD. It can be used independently, as well as alongside teachers and parents. It includes the following: Description of ADHD, including explanations of Inattention, Hyperactivity and Impulsivity Analogy of ADHD as our brain and body being like a turbo-charged engine Discussion on how Revving so fast can affect our learning What feelings and emotions may come along with ADHD Validation and examples of different emotions and how this can look when it overwhelms us Analogy of learning how to apply the brakes to slow down, and be a happy driver and in control Discussion of several practical strategies to help with applying the brakes and regaining control, including space for child to list their own strategies Brief discussion on medication as a tool to help with staying on track Emphasis on the ADHD child’s strengths, with examples and space to list their own! Reminder that ADHD makes them extra special Page for child/youth to write or draw what it is like for them to live with ADHD. This 20 page story is in PDF format (8.5x11 inches), and is easily printable. It is full of engaging visuals, and uses developmentally appropriate language. It is geared towards elementary to early junior/secondary students, as well as students in special education and life skills settings. As always, please leave a review/feedback so I may continue to provide practical 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 resource called, FASD and ME: Social (Success) Story - Strategies for Life!, is really a manual and workbook for children and youth living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - to use in order to empower and educate themselves on FASD, identify with others with FASD, and learn strategies to live and cope with FASD in healthy ways. This resource can be used independently, or the child can be guided through with the support of an adult (Teacher, EA, parent, etc.) This resource is 37 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. There are Two Parts, with Part 1 focusing on Education on FASD, and Part 2 focusing on Strategies to Live with FASD. Part 1: Living with FASD - All About Me What is FASD Communication Socialization Attention, Hyperactivity, Impulsivity Sensory Emotions/Feelings Learning Difficulties Life Skills Managing Change & Transitions Emphasis on Strengths & Talents Part 2: Living with FASD - Strategies & Ideas Examples of Feelings and Emotional Reactions Strategies to Process Feelings and Emotions Strategies to Regulate Sensory Needs Strategies to Incorporate Routine and Structure Strategies for Communication Strategies for Social Interaction and Making Friendships Strategies to Navigate Bullying Behaviours Mention of Medication as means to Moderate Behaviours Emphasis on Strengths and Talents Opportunity to Draw and/or Write About What It’s Like Living with FASD As always, please leave feedback and review, so that I may continue to provide practical resources to my fellow educators. Thank you!

I created the Social Story: I Am Unique & Special with the purpose of teaching and showing children that they (as well as everyone they meet) are different and unique in many ways, and this makes us all special! The story helps to define what being different and unique means, and uses examples such as: a. The way we LOOK (e.g., hair, eyes, skin, etc.) b. They way we TALK (e.g., fast, loud, slow, quiet, etc.) c. They way we MOVE (e.g., fast, slow, fidgety, etc.) d. The way we ACT (e.g., excited, hyper, shy, etc.) e. The way we FEEL (e.g., happy, mad, sad, worried, etc.) f. Our ORIGINS: Where We Come From (e.g., country, culture, family, language, etc.) g. SKILLS and TALENTS We Have (e.g., subjects, music, art, sports, activities, etc.) h. The Ways We LEARN (e.g., visual, verbal, seeing, doing, etc.) i. The Ways We Handle STRESS (e.g., screaming, hugs, withdrawing, talking, etc.) j. The CONDITIONS We Live With (e.g., ASD, FASD, ADHD, physical handicaps, etc.) The Story concludes by reminding our students that Being Unique and Different is What Makes Us Special! And This is Okay, and Something to Be Proud of in Others and Ourselves. Format is 15 PAGES, colour PDF, 8.5x11, and so can be easily printed and laminated. The language is simple and visuals engaging for students of all ages, developmental and grade levels. And, please feel free to leave your review and feedback so I can continue to provide valuable resources to my fellow educators. Thank You!!!

This resource called, AUTISM and ME: SOCIAL (SUCCESS) STORY - Strategies for Life!, is really a manual and workbook for children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder to use in order to empower and educate themselves on ASD, identify with others with ASD, and learn strategies to live and cope with ASD in healthy ways. This resource is 40 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. There are Two Parts, with Part 1 focusing on education on ASD, and Part 2 focusing on strategies to live with ASD. Part 1: Living with Autism - ALL ABOUT ME Communication Socialization Sensory Emotions/Feelings Perseveration Repetitive Movements & Behaviours/Stimming Insistence on Sameness/Routine Splinter skills/Interests Emphasis on Strengths Part 2: Living with Autism - Strategies & Ideas Examples of Feelings and Emotional Reactions Strategies to Process Feelings and Emotions Strategies to Regulate Sensory Needs Strategies to incorporate Routine and Sameness Strategies for Communication Strategies for Social Interaction and Making Friendships Strategies to Navigate Bullying Behaviours Mention of Medication as means to moderate behaviours Emphasis on Strengths and Talents Opportunity to Draw and/or Write About What It’s Like Living with ASD While labeled a social story, this resource is really an in-depth manual or workbook on how to live successfully with ASD and to appreciate one’s strengths and talents, that do accompany living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. As always, please leave feedback and review, so that I may continue to provide practical resources to my fellow educators. Thank you!

DIGITAL DOWNLOAD | TEEN JOURNAL HIGH-RESOLUTION PDF FORMAT LIFE IS A JOURNEY: SELF-DISCOVERY JOURNAL FOR YOUTH This resource called, LIFE IS A JOURNEY: A SELF-DISCOVERY JOURNAL FOR YOUTH, is a journal and workbook for children and youth. The purpose of this journal is to provide youth with an opportunity to: explore their feelings discover their interests and strengths enhance self-esteem and mental wellness engage in future-thinking and goal planning practice self-care activities navigate topics of gratitude and self-discovery This journal is in high-resolution PDF (8.5"x11") format, and contains 46 pages of engaging content, with fun exercises and visuals. It can be easily downloaded, printed and bound or stapled to be used individually, with clients, or in group format. It is best suited for Grade 6 to Grade 12 students. WHAT’S INCLUDED: 1 High-Resolution colour 46-page 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. 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 provide your feedback, so we may continue to offer worthwhile products! 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. THANKS FOR VISITING, and FEEL FREE TO CHECK OUT OUR OTHER LISTINGS!

My Grief Journey: A Teen Guide for Managing Grief and Loss. Guided Prompts to Explore Feelings and Find a Path to Healing. This journal was created to help youth (ages 12-18) navigate the challenges surrounding death, loss and grief, and find a path to healing. Everybody processes grief in different ways and over their own timeline. This journal respects these differences and offers education, guided prompts, and strategies - acting as a healthy outlet to support youth along their grief journey. We poured much time and effort into this journal to make it an authentic and meaningful experience for the user. This 44-page grief journal conveys these themes using engaging visuals and practical examples, as well as developmentally appropriate language. This journal is not intended to replace therapy, but rather, is meant to act as a supplemental and supportive guide, and can be used individually or with a trusted adult such as a parent or counselor. We hope you find this journal helpful in your grief journey. What You Will Receive: 1 high-quality, colour PDF file 8.5"x11" in size 44 Pages How to Use: After uploading product, save file to your device Print either at home, or via local print provider or online print service Bind, laminate, or place in duotang to use with your students Personal Note: Should you require a different file format, let us know and we can do this for you. We love what we do and so would appreciate your feedback and review so we can continue to provide practical resources to our fellow educators. THANK YOU.

This Social Story "All About My Feelings” is a lesson designed to help young children understand and recognize their emotions. In this story, we explore different feelings like happiness, sadness, anger, fear, excitement, and confusion. Each page shows how we can express these feelings and what to do when we experience them. The social story speaks about how some feelings are small and mellow and easier to manage, while others are big and strong and more difficult to control. The social story provides opportunity to students to provide input and participate in providing answers. The lesson uses the analogy of filling a balloon with air to explain the healthy expression of feelings. Lesson Tip: In order to make this lesson more fun and interactive with students, we recommend using a physical balloon to demonstrate the analogy of how filling up a balloon too much is just like holding in our emotions for too long and letting them pile up inside of us. You may also use the balloon to show how letting our emotions out too quickly causes the balloon to fly around out of control just like when we let our own feelings out too quickly and act out with behaviour (the kids will get a kick out of watching the balloon fly around the room!); alternatively, letting the air out slowly results in a calmer experience, just like when we let our emotions out slowly and feel more in control. By learning about our feelings, we can better communicate with friends and family, find ways to calm down, and ask for help when we need it. This 36-page social story/lesson conveys these themes using practical examples, activities, engaging visuals, and developmentally appropriate language. It is best suited to K-6, and special education settings. Let’s dive into the wonderful world of feelings together! What You Will Receive: 1 high-quality PDF file 8.5"x11" in size 36 Pages How to Use: After uploading product, save file to your device Print either at home, or via local print provider or online print service Bind, laminate, or place in duotang to use with your students Personal Note: Should you require a different file format or size, let us know and we can do this for you. We love what we do and so would appreciate your feedback and review so we can continue to provide practical resources to our fellow educators. THANK YOU.