Communication Skills
Aligns with CASEL 5 & The ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards & Competencies
Direct Dalia is the third story from Powerful You (grades 2-adult). Dalia is used by schools and homes to encourage advocacy skills and the ability to assert self, when necessary. Dalia also fosters self-confidence and school success.
20-MINUTE LESSON PLAN
Launch Introduce the A-Z Powerful You theme.
Breathe and Stretch Practice self-awareness and self-management with the Powerful You free movement videos on this page. Simply hit play or gain a new movement idea for your toolbox.
Connect Read the true short story from the 8.5 x 11 laminated Powerful You Educator Cards.
Promote a Positive Mindset Stand tall and practice each story’s positive self-talk.
Reflect Social-awareness, relationship skills, and problem-solving skills escalate when students are given turn and talk time for each journaling prompt. Learn from them and allow optional sharing.
Role-play Students hold the Powerful You Educator Card and act out desired behaviors.
Leave an SEL Footprint Copy and display the Digital Powerful You Classroom Social Skill Sign.
Expand Use the Powerful You Kit or resources below. Make it your own! Be You! You are more powerful than you know!
When I started in education over 37 years ago, conflict scared me. I went around problems instead of going directly through them. With age I’ve realized that conflict can be a good thing. The angry parent is advocating for their child. The confronting administrator is guiding staff for improvement. The disagreeing partner is simply expressing himself/herself. Words are used to solve problems.
Many people add to words. They create stories around simple facts. They talk to everyone else and make the problem BIG, instead of going straight to the problem and using simple words. Drama grows, gossip spreads, and stories divide people. This toxic noise of instigating stories and talking behind others back is not necessary or useful.
Quotes About Gossip:
“Words are powerful. They can create or they can destroy. So choose your words wisely.”
“Say what you mean and mean what you say, but don’t say it mean.”
“Your words have the power to hurt, to heal, open minds, open hearts, and change the world. Never forget the responsibility you have over the words you speak.”
“How people treat other people is a direct reflection on how they feel about themselves.”
“You never look good trying to make someone else look bad.”
Much Appreciation,
- Julie Frizzi
The Powerful You Elementary Counselor Kit was created to keep your favorite Powerful You tools together in one easy-to-carry bag so you are always ready to support students.
Perfect for School counselors, educators, interventionists, and student support teams.
What’s Included
Intermediate Bundle (Grades 2+)
Powerful You Book
26 8.5×11 Laminated Role-Playing Cards
26 Classroom Skill Signs
Primary Bundle (Grades K–1)
26 8.5×11 Laminated Role-Playing Cards
26 Classroom Skill Signs
Digital Resources
26 Primary Brag Tags
26 Social & Emotional Thinking Maps for writing
Free online Breathe & Stretch videos
26 Primary videos
26 Intermediate videos
Mindfulness & Regulation Tools
Breathe and Stretch on the Beach Yoga activities (Grades K+)
Laminated Breathe and Stretch Sign
Tennessee Transition Chime
Feelings Chart
Powerful You Feelings Bag
Counseling & Life Change Support
Self-Talk Power When You’re in a Pickle
5-Step problem-solving guide for individual counseling (Grades 3+)Powerful You In the Middle Cookie Game
Supports changing family groups/divorce transitions (Grades K+)
Bonus Items
50 “I Am” stickers
Why Counselors Love It
Grab-and-go support kit
Ready for classroom lessons or counseling groups
Helps students regulate emotions
Builds confidence and self-talk
Supports divorce, transitions, and problem solving
Saves prep time for busy counselors
Perfect For
Elementary school counselors
MTSS / SEL support teams
Teachers
Small groups
Individual counseling
Calm corners
One Kit. Many Needs. Real Impact.
The Powerful You Elementary Counselor Kit helps children build coping skills, confidence, emotional vocabulary, and resilience in fun, meaningful ways.
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.
Breathe and Stretch on the Beach is an interactive listening and movement game that helps children build focus, confidence, calmness, and self-awareness through playful stretching and positive self-talk. Designed for ages 3 and up, this engaging resource can be used in the classroom, counseling groups, therapy settings, or at home by teachers, counselors, parents, and caregivers.
After learning the beach-themed poses, a leader calls out poses in any order, encouraging participants to listen carefully, move mindfully, and practice deep breathing, stretching, and relaxation. Children stay engaged while developing important social-emotional and self-regulation skills in a fun, active way.
Participants will:
Understand and practice controlled breathing
Respect personal space by moving safely without touching others
Strengthen self-control using nonverbal communication
Improve focus and attention
Increase self-awareness
Replace negative self-talk with positive self-talk
Build joy, strength, gratitude, and confidence
Each pose is paired with empowering affirmations so children can embody positive mindsets as they move. Examples include:
Coconut Tree, Eagle, Airplane – I am focused
Sports Boat, Charge Your Battery, Flying Fish – I am full of energy
Hurricane – I step aside for others
Crab – I let my light shine
Paddleboard – I am responsible for what I say, think, and do
Breathe and Stretch on the Beach is a joyful way to help children move their bodies, calm their minds, and grow strong from the inside out.
This long-sleeve V-neck Pickle Sun Shirt is more than a sun shirt—it’s a playful conversation starter and wearable feelings chart designed for adults who value wellness, mindfulness, and emotional connection.
Simply point to the pickle that matches your mood and say, “Today I feel ________.” It’s a lighthearted way to check in with yourself, communicate with others, and bring more emotional awareness into everyday life.
Perfect for beach days, boating, pickleball, poolside lounging, walks, travel, or casual everyday wear, this shirt blends fun, comfort, and meaning.
Great for:
Morning mindset check-ins
Stress awareness
Family communication
Classroom or counseling settings
Group retreats or wellness events
Playful connection with friends
Keep the fun going by singing the Pickle Feelings Song from the Self-Talk Power Book and celebrate life with your own Pickle Party.
Features:
Long-sleeve sun coverage
Flattering V-neck style
Lightweight comfort
Unique conversation piece
Supports mindfulness and emotional wellness
Great gift idea
A joyful, healthy, and totally unique way to express emotions, spark smiles, and spread positive energy.
Example of the Pickle Song here: https://youtu.be/TM0m5MFIT4U
Wear your feelings. Share your joy. Grab your Pickle Sun Shirt today.
Additional Educator Resources To Help Children Learn Direct Communication and Not Gossip
This story will help children see the value in giving a compliment instead of gossiping. Children can practice giving oral compliments by saying the person's name, the behavior they appreciate and how it affected them.
Girls will learn to develop healthy relationships, enhance their communication skills and discover that they can make a positive difference in the world.
