Direct Dalia helps children understand how to speak honestly while being thoughtful of others' feelings. Through positive communication and self-awareness, kids learn to express themselves clearly, respectfully, and with kindness.
Self-Talk
“I am direct and honest with my words.”
How to Use This Lesson
1. Meet Direct Dalia
Introduce Direct Dalia and explore why it's important to speak directly to someone when there's a problem.
Help children understand that talking about someone behind their back can hurt feelings, damage friendships, and create unnecessary drama.
Dalia reminds us that we can solve problems by communicating respectfully with the person involved.
2. Practice Positive Self-Talk
Say Dalia's positive self-talk phrase together:
“I am direct and honest with my words.”
First, say it out loud. Then practice saying it silently in your mind.
Encourage children to use these words when they feel tempted to gossip or need courage to have a respectful conversation.
3. Share the Skill Sign
Print and display Direct Dalia's Gossip Facts where children will see it often.
Explore what Dalia teaches us about gossip:
Gossip means talking badly about others.
Someone who gossips about others may also gossip about you.
Gossip can be used to put others down.
Gossip often involves more people and creates drama.
Gossip goes around a problem instead of directly to the person involved.
Talk about how speaking directly and kindly can help prevent misunderstandings and protect friendships.
4. Breathe and Stretch
Take a few minutes to breathe and move together.
Use the stretches from the Breathe and Stretch book or follow Direct Dalia's movement video.
Encourage children to notice how their bodies and minds feel before and after moving.
5. Read the Story
Bring Direct Dalia to life! Read her story from the Powerful You book with expression and enthusiasm.
Invite children to notice what Dalia learns about gossip, friendship, and communicating directly.
6. Reflect and Connect
Use Dalia's Reflect & Shine questions from the Powerful You book to encourage meaningful conversations.
Invite children to talk about how gossip can affect friendships and what they could say when someone starts talking badly about another person.
Help them connect Dalia's message to everyday experiences.
7. Explore Optional Activities
Choose an activity from the Powerful You book to reinforce Dalia's lesson.
You can also practice simple phrases children can use to avoid gossip, such as:
“Let's talk to them about it.”
“I'd rather not talk about someone who isn't here.”
“Maybe we should ask what really happened.”
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 practice what they might say when someone begins gossiping, when a friend feels left out, or when they need to solve a disagreement respectfully.
Remind children that if a situation involves bullying, threats, or danger, they should seek help from a trusted adult rather than handle it alone.
Keep it playful, encouraging, and fun!
Remember: Go directly to the person, not around them!
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.
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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
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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.
