NLPS Developed Resources
Our Mental Health Team (Student Advocacy Counsellors and SFSK Wellness Coaches) have developed the following resources for our NLPS families:
This tool can help you process your thoughts and feelings and make you aware of the tools you have to cope and handle different circles that arise.
Create fidgets from popsicle sticks, beads, and pipe cleaners that you can use to focus your attention or calm down an emotion.
Decorate any jar at home and use the link below to access printable daily positive mindset affirmations. Cut out the ones you like and add them to your jar. Choose one every morning and let it be your family’s mantra for the day.
Positive Mindset Poster
How do you support your children in changing their language to create a more positive mindset? Print this Positive Mindset Poster and have your children put it up in their bedroom, locker, or anywhere they may need a little reminder.
Play this game to help practice muscle relaxation.
Don't have dice at home? You can make one out of paper by using a template like this one.
A space-themed breathing technique to try with your child!
Practice this technique to help remove negative or difficult thoughts.
Curated Resources
All of the resources below have been reviewed and recommended by our Mental Health Team (Student Advocacy Counsellors and SFSK Wellness Coaches).
- 7 Activities to Help Your Child Develop a Positive Attitude
Big Life Journal
Provides suggestions for simple activities you can do with your children to help them develop a positive mindset. Also includes a link to a 7-Day Positivity Challenge. - 19 Top Positive Psychology Exercises for Clients or Students
Positive Psychology
While activities such as gratitude journaling and loving-kindness meditation have been shown time and again to lead to positive outcomes, the goal of this article is to provide a variety of new and novel ways to include positive psychology in your work with clients. - 45 Growth Mindset Mantras
Big Life Journal - Accomplishment Box Starter Kit
Understood
Instructions on how to make an accomplishment box with your child and how to use it. - Positive Journal
Therapist Aid - Positive Statements
Get Self Help UK - Strengths Chain: Hands-On Activity to Help Kids Identify Their Strengths
Understood
Instructions on how to make a strengths chain with your child to help them recognize their strengths and how they link together. Requires markers or crayons, scissors and tape. - Stress Catcher
The National Institute of Mental Health Information Resource Center
This stress catcher “fortune teller” offers some strategies children can practice and use to help manage stress and other difficult emotions. - Strengths Exploration
Therapist Aid
- MindShift CBT - Anxiety Relief
Anxiety Canada
Free app that provides scientific strategies for stress and anxiety.
- 6 Ways to Reduce Stress with Positive Thinking
Wild Simple Joy
Steps you can take to use positive thinking to reduce anxiety. - 16 Simple Ways to Relieve Stress
healthline
Suggestions to bring optimism into your life and help reduce anxious feelings. - Anxiety 101
Anxiety Canada
Offers anxiety resources for youth and caregivers - A Child Therpaist's Favorite Resources for Calming Anxiety in Children
Coping Skills for Kids
Learn some tips and strategies to help your child learn to calm themselves when they are feeling anxious. - Fixed vs. Growth Mindset: Biggest Differences
Big Life Journal - Growth Mindset: Believing you can improve your abilities
Character Lab
Learn more about how having a growth mindset helps you focus on developing your abilities rather than proving how smart or talented you are. - How to Have a Positive Attitude (for Teens)
wikiHow - How Parents Can Instill a Growth Mindset at Home
mindset works
Research shows that parents can have a powerful impact on their childrens’ mindsets. The language you use and the actions you take show your children about what you expect. Giving process praise, talking about the brain, accepting mistakes as learning opportunities, and understanding the role of emotions in learning are all practices you can begin today. - How Positive Thinking Can Improve Your Mental Health
better sleep
A more positive outlook on life is beneficial to your mental health. You can reduce your risk of depression, manage stress, and be happier by focusing on the positive. - How to Reduce Stress Through Positive Thinking: 5 Methods
chopra
Putting attention to specific ways of thinking and reacting can help you to feel less stressed. - The Importance of Self-Care
Anxiety Canada
Learn why taking care of yourself is an important step for managing anxiety. - Mental Health Meter
Canadian Mental Health Association
Resource to help you understand more about how mentally fit you are. - Positive Mindset: How to Develop a Positive Mental Attitude
Positive Psychology
Learn about the benefits of a positive mindset and tips and techniques to cultivate a positive mindset. - Positive Thinking Helps Anxiety
Healthy Place
Intentionally thinking positive thoughts is a beneficial way to help lessen, reduce, and even eliminate anxious thoughts that can become overwhelming. - Promoting Positive Mental Health in Children
Alberta Health Services
Ideas for parents and caregivers to promote positive mental health. - Unleashing the Power of Positivity in Your School
edutopia - What is Positive Thinking?
Web MD
Positive thinking, or an optimistic attitude, is the practice of focusing on the good in any given situation. It can have a big impact on your physical and mental health.
The books listed below can be requested at your local library or purchased at the retailer of your choice. Many are also available as audiobooks and we have included read aloud YouTube videos when available.
- 10 books that promote positive thinking in teens
Brightly - Wonder
by R.J. Palacio - Wonder (film)
Preston's Positive Thoughts
by Jenelle French
Preston is having a really bad day. All day he tells himself he can't do something well, and that's what happens. His negative thoughts lead to negative actions and outcomes. But what would happen if Preston were to change his thoughts? Instead of thinking negative thoughts, what if he thinks positively about himself?
We're All Wonders - Read Aloud
- Overcoming Emotions
Dr. Caroline Buzanko
Podcast for all mental health professionals, educators, parents and anyone who wants to help children and teens become masters over anxiety and other big feels while strengthening their courage and resilience.
Best Video on Positive Thinking for Students 2021
Break Your Negative Thinking and Increase Self-Confidence
Developing a Growth Mindset
How to make stress your friend
How to Manage Stress Using Positive Thinking
Just Breathe
by Julie Bayer Salzman and Josh Salzman (Wavecrest Films)