Meet Voicing Viv! Viv is learning that her voice is powerful. When someone treats her unkindly, she can stand tall, speak up, and explain how she feels. Viv teaches children how to use strong, respectful words, set boundaries, and ask a trusted adult for help when needed. Through her story, children discover that speaking up for themselves and others is an important life skill.
Positive Self-Talk
“I use a strong voice.”
How to Use This Lesson
1. Meet Voicing Viv
Introduce Voicing Viv and her important skill of speaking up when someone is being unkind. Talk about how Viv is learning to use a strong, calm voice to stand up for herself and others. Remind children that everyone deserves to feel safe and respected.
2. Breathe & Stretch
Choose a simple stretch from the Breathe and Stretch on the Beach book or use Viv's FREE movement video. Practice standing tall, taking a slow breath, and speaking in a calm, confident voice.
3. Read the Powerful You Story
Read Viv's story from the Powerful You book. Pause to discuss the feelings that arise. Ask, “How does it feel when someone is unkind? Who can help us when we feel unsafe?”
4. Practice Positive Self-Talk
Say Viv's positive self-talk phrase together, first aloud and then quietly in your head. Encourage children to memorize the phrase and practice using positive thoughts when facing difficult situations.
5. Write or Draw
Choose an activity from the Powerful You book. Invite children to draw themselves being brave and speaking up. They can finish the sentence, “When someone is unkind, I can ______.”
6. Role-Play
Use the laminated scenario cards or create simple situations children might experience on the playground or in the classroom.
Practice saying:
“Please stop!”
“I don't like that.”
“That makes me feel sad.”
“I'm going to report this to a grown-up.”
Let children practice using a strong but respectful voice. Remind them that if someone continues being unkind or they feel unsafe, they can walk away and tell a trusted adult right away.
7. Display the Skill Sign
Display Voicing Viv's Steps to Handling Unkind Behavior where children can see it.
Review Viv's four steps:
Stand tall and tell them to stop.
Tell them how you feel.
Warn them that you will report the unkindness.
If it doesn't stop, report it.
Practice the words on Viv's sign together. Explain that children never need to wait or give a warning before asking an adult for help.
8. Collect & Celebrate with Digital Brag Tags
Notice children speaking up respectfully, asking for help, and standing up for others. Celebrate these moments with Digital Brag Tags and say, “You used your Powerful You thinking!”
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