Adjusting Anna helps children navigate changes in their lives, understand the feelings that come with new experiences, and develop flexibility and confidence when things don't go as planned. Through storytelling, movement, positive self-talk, and practice, children develop tools they can use at school, at home, and with others.
Adjusting Anna’s Self-Talk
“I adjust to change.”
How to Use This Lesson
1. Meet Adjusting Anna
Introduce Anna and her special life skill: navigating changes in life, understanding the feelings that come with new experiences, and developing flexibility and confidence when things don't go as planned. .Talk about how sharing kind words and recognizing positive choices can brighten someone's day.
2. Practice Positive Self-Talk
Say Anna’s positive self-talk phrase together:
“I adjust to change.”
First, say it out loud. Then practice saying it silently in your mind. Encourage children to use these words throughout the day as they notice kindness and positive choices.
3. Share the Skill Sign
Print and display Reporting Roxy's skill sign on your refrigerator, bulletin board, or another place children will see it often.
Revisit the sign throughout the day to help children remember and practice these important life skills.
4. Breathe and Stretch
Take a few minutes to breathe and move together. Use the stretches from the Breathe and Stretch book or follow Adjusting Anna’s movement video.
Encourage children to notice how their bodies and minds feel before and after moving.
5. Read the Story
Bring Adjusting Anna’s story to life! Read her story with expression and enthusiasm. Let children get to know Anna and discover what she learned about navigating Change.
6. Reflect and Connect
Use the Reflect & Shine questions from the Powerful You book to encourage meaningful conversations.
Invite children to turn and talk with a friend, share with a family member, or reflect quietly.
Help children connect Anna’s experiences to their own lives.
7. Explore Optional Activities
Choose an activity from the Powerful You book to reinforce the lesson.
8. Lights, Camera, Action! — Role-Play
Bring the lesson to life with role-playing!
Use the Powerful You laminated scenario cards or create your own everyday situations. Invite children to become movie stars as they act out what they might say or do.
Keep it playful, encouraging, and fun.
Powerful You! In The Middle Cookie Game is a fun memory-style matching game designed to help children understand an important message:
Kids are the good stuff in the middle of divorce.
Created for ages 5+ and playable with 2–6 players, this engaging game is played like Concentration while gently opening the door to emotional expression and healing conversations.
Children match:
Feeling words
Coping strategies
Empowering phrases
As they play, they learn to identify emotions, talk about difficult changes, and build resilience.
“Life is like a pickle. Sometimes it’s sweet & sometimes it’s sour.” — Patricia Kienzle
This game helps children recognize “sour pickle” feelings while discovering healthy ways to cope and grow stronger.
Perfect for:
School counselors
Teachers
Parents
Therapists
Small groups
Family support settings
Benefits:
Encourages communication
Builds emotional awareness
Supports children through divorce transitions
Makes hard conversations easier through play
Strengthens confidence and connection
Why Families Love It
Easy to learn, meaningful to play, and created with heart, this game reminds every child:
You are the good stuff in the middle.
