Honest Holden helps children learn the importance of telling the truth, taking responsibility for their actions, and building trust with others. 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 am honest.”
How to Use This Lesson
1. Meet Honest Holden
Introduce Honest Holden, a real Powerful You kid who is learning the importance of telling the truth. Look at Holden's face and ask, “How do you think Holden is feeling?” Talk about how telling the truth can sometimes be hard, especially when we're afraid of getting in trouble.
2. Breathe & Stretch
Choose a simple stretch from the Breathe and Stretch on the Beach book or follow Holden's FREE movement video. Practice taking a slow breath to help children feel calm and brave when they need to tell the truth.
3. Read the Powerful You Story
Read Honest Holden's story from the Powerful You Primary book or laminated cards. Talk about Holden's feelings and experiences. Ask, “Why is it sometimes hard to tell the truth?”
4. Practice Positive Self-Talk
Say Holden's phrase together: “I am honest.” Practice saying it aloud, then quietly in your mind. Encourage children to remember these words when they need courage to tell the truth.
5. Write or Draw
Choose a writing or drawing activity from the Powerful You Primary book. Invite children to draw a time when they told the truth or made an honest choice.
6. Role-Play
Let children hold Holden's laminated card and pretend to be Honest Holden! Act out a situation such as accidentally breaking a toy, spilling something, or making a mistake. Practice taking a breath and telling the truth, even when it feels uncomfortable. Remind children that everyone makes mistakes, and being honest helps us make things right.
7. Display the Skill Sign
Display Honest Holden's Honesty Facts sign where children can see it. Talk about how our brain sometimes wants us to hide the truth to avoid trouble, while our heart reminds us to be honest. Discuss how our bodies might feel shaky when we're not telling the truth. Explore the benefits of honesty: building trust, feeling calmer inside, making friends, and solving problems.
8. Collect & Celebrate with Digital Brag Tags
Notice children making honest choices, admitting mistakes, and telling the truth even when it's difficult. Celebrate their courage 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