Uplifting Uma helps children learn how to make friends, show kindness, include others, and build positive relationships through caring words and actions. Through storytelling, movement, positive self-talk, and practice, children develop tools they can use at school, at home, and with others.
Positive Self-Talk
“I uplift others.”
How to Use This Lesson
1. Meet Uplifting Uma
Introduce Uplifting Uma and her special skill of making others feel noticed and appreciated. Talk about how a thoughtful, genuine compliment can brighten someone's day. Ask children how they feel when someone notices something good about them.
2. Breathe & Stretch
Use the Breathe and Stretch book or Uma's movement video to practice breathing and stretching together. Invite children to think about someone they appreciate as they breathe in and send that person a kind thought as they breathe out.
3. Read the Powerful You Story
Read Uma's story from the Powerful You book or laminated cards. Discuss how our words can affect the way others feel.
4. Practice Positive Self-Talk
Say Uma's positive self-talk phrase together, first aloud and then silently. Talk about how we can choose kind, encouraging words even when others around us are being unkind.
5. Write or Draw
Choose an activity from the Powerful You book. Invite children to draw someone they appreciate and complete the sentence: “I like how you ______.”
6. Role-Play
Invite children to pretend they are Uplifting Uma and practice giving genuine compliments. Pair children up and have them notice something positive about their partner, such as their effort, helpfulness, creativity, or kindness.
Practice saying:
“I noticed how you helped your friend.”
“You worked really hard on that picture.”
“Thank you for including me.”
“You were brave to try something new.”
Let children practice receiving a compliment with a smile and a simple “Thank you!”
7. Display the Skill Sign
Display Uplifting Uma's Compliment Guide and practice her five steps:
Say their name. Make the compliment personal.
Look them in the eye. Give the person your attention, in a way that feels comfortable for both of you.
Use kind words that are truthful. Say something you genuinely mean.
Add detail. Explain exactly what you noticed or appreciated.
Say “Thank you” in return. Practice graciously receiving a compliment.
Use the example on Uma's sign to show how adding a detail makes a compliment more meaningful.
Challenge children to give someone a genuine compliment today. Encourage them to notice actions and character, not just appearance.
8. Collect & Celebrate with Digital Brag Tags
Notice children using thoughtful words, recognizing the goodness in others, and accepting compliments graciously. Celebrate these moments with Digital Brag Tags and say, “You used your Powerful You thinking!”