Silent counting is a breathe and stretch tool that can be used to distract you from worries in your brain. Fear can send a alarm to your body and tell you all the things that can go wrong. By focusing on the numbers while breathing, the chatter in your mind settles and you feel more peaceful.
This breath work can be used before a test or difficult conversation.
To practice this tool, sit or stand tall.
Align your shoulders over your hips. Lengthen the back of your neck.
Close your eyes or gently gaze down your nose. Become aware of how you are breathing.
Now start to silently count the breath. Breathe in and say in your head, “one.” Breathe out and silently say, “one.” Breathe in and say, “two.” Breathe out, “two.” Continue counting until you reach ten. If you lose count, simply start over.
Once you hit ten, silently count backwards in your head until you reach one.
Use silent counting before Powerful You Lessons. Mindful Maria (K-1), Quieting Quin (Grades 2-6), or Quieting Quincy (Teens) to help students recognize the power of silence.
Powerful You Primary (Kindergarten–Grade 1) is a colorful, hand-illustrated social-emotional learning resource designed to help young children find guidance, encouragement, and support for challenges they may experience at school or at home. Created from more than 30 years of educational experience, this engaging tool brings comfort, confidence, and joy to early learners.
Available as a book or laminated role-play card set, Powerful You Primary gives educators, counselors, and families flexible ways to teach essential life skills in fun and meaningful ways. Each lesson uses storytelling to capture attention and strengthen learning through role-playing, movement, thinking maps, games, and positive self-talk.
Children meet the 26 A–Z Powerful You Kids, memorable characters who model positive behaviors and healthy choices. For example, G – Goodsport Grady teaches teamwork and pitching in. Other lessons focus on honesty, independence, self-esteem, responsibility, taking turns, waiting to speak, ignoring distractions, and more.
Lessons align with ASCA National Standards developed by American School Counselor Association, making this a valuable resource for classroom guidance, school counseling lessons, small groups, and home support. Powerful You Primary helps transform classrooms and home environments by teaching social skills proactively and addressing concerns such as bullying at the core.
Companion Classroom Social Skill Signs that match every A–Z lesson are also available separately to reinforce learning visually throughout the day.
Created by an educator who has supported children for over 30 years, Powerful You Primary helps children build skills in:
Problem-solving
Teamwork
Listening
Self-confidence
Friendship skills
Emotional awareness
Respect
Responsibility
Powerful You is a grab-and-go counseling resource designed to make group and classroom counseling simple, meaningful, and effective. Packed with 26 short, easy-to-use themed lessons, this book helps counselors, educators, and support staff guide students through important life topics with confidence and care.
Each lesson begins with a true story that reflects real challenges children face, followed by engaging turn-and-talk prompts that encourage student reflection, discussion, and connection. Inspiring quotes, hands-on activities, and practical tips are also included for optional lesson extensions.
Created by a school counselor with more than 35 years of experience listening to and supporting children, these lessons align with ASCA National Standards and explore sensitive school and home issues through a child’s perspective. Powerful You gives adults ready-to-use tools to build emotional awareness, resilience, communication skills, and confidence in students.
To bring each lesson to life, companion Powerful You laminated role-playing cards and colorful classroom signs are also available separately. These engaging tools correspond with every lesson and provide an interactive way for students to practice skills, deepen understanding, and reinforce key concepts.
Help teens build confidence, connection, and essential life skills—one letter at a time!
Powerful You: Self-Built Teens is an engaging A–Z life skills workbook designed for parents, school counselors, educators, and anyone supporting teens.
Each lesson includes a short, relatable story and reflective turn-and-talk prompts that encourage meaningful conversations, self-awareness, positive choices, and stronger relationships.
What's Inside:
26 A–Z life skills lessons
Short stories that spark reflection and discussion
Turn-and-talk prompts that build connection
Mindful chair stretches to release tension and re-energize learning
Practical activities that encourage problem-solving and self-management
Inspired by Real Teens
As a district school counselor, Julie Frizzi listened to students share what would help them feel more connected at school. Their ideas included short movement breaks, time to reflect with classmates, and fun icebreaker activities.
Self-Built Teens brings those ideas together in an easy-to-use resource that helps teens discover their strengths, build relationships, and develop tools for everyday life.
Free Stretching Videos
Visit the Self-Built Teens section of the Powerful You website for free stretching videos that accompany each of the 26 lessons.
Want the Matching Life Skill Signs?
Explore the Self-Built Teens Bundle, which includes the printed book and a digital collection of all 26 matching life skill signs.
Format: Printed book
Powerful You — Breathe • Stretch • Life Skills