Kids who seemed confident throughout childhood struggle to maintain self-assurance during the teen years. For many, adolescence is filled with self-doubt, a questionable body-image, and insecurity. The good news is, you can take steps to help  build self-esteem.  The Self-Confidence Project is a gentle way for your student to build confidence each week by first completing a skills building exercise and then a guided journal.  Students can choose drawing or writing, it is their choice.  When this class is over, the confidence building does not stop.  The Self-confidence Project turns into a weekly ongoing class that your student can join at anytime. 
In this introductory class, we first create self-portraits and decorate our journals, while getting to know one another with a conversation starter handout (on screen).  Students will have a chance to journal what they could say about themselves to help others get to know them and what they can ask others, while actively listening to their responses.  You do not have to talk if you are not ready, but I do ask that you show us your finished self-portrait at the end of class (it will be positive).  Our class will end by filling out the first page in our journal with a template provided by the teacher; this will be posted during the class, no printing required.  Each day until the next class, you will journal with ideas/handouts provided or you can put your own spin on your pages. The goal is to be as creative as possible. During our second class, we will share our journals, design mood trackers and if there is time, discuss seasonal bucket lists and habit trackers.

Please note that the introduction classes are an ice breaker.  We will be examining the positive things about ourselves while learning we do not have to be perfect. Students will learn class expectation and when the class is over I will make suggestions for the ongoing classes in terms of student needs by parent request.  Ongoing classes will include topics such as empathy, goals, body image, what is in my control, needs versus wants, conflict resolution, habits and other confidence building strategies.  

Note:  For our first class you do not need to print off anything, if you have time, have the student type words or small phrases that describe them.  Tell them they do not have to be humble, as this is just for them.  Go Big!  Before class, cut the words and phrases out so they can be glued into our journals after we design the initial page.


Here are 4 benefits of journal writing for students:

1.     Improves writing and communication skills. It goes without saying that the more a student writes her thoughts out on paper, the better she (or he) will be at putting her emotions into words and communicating her needs to others, but what many of us don’t realize is that journals for students also provide a fun and effective way for young adults to work on their writing, spelling, and grammar skills. Of course, a journal is meant to be a private, unedited place for stream-of-consciousness writing, but you will be surprised to see how your child’s skills improve when she continues to put pen to paper.
2.     Provides an outlet. Whether your child is stressed, or takes life in stride, there’s no denying that kids of all ages have worries, and journaling provides a fabulous outlet to help them address their feelings. Younger kids often like to share journals, but if your student chooses to keep her journal private, she’ll have a place to express herself freely without feeling as though she needs to censor her thoughts for the benefit of others.
3.     Promotes a sense of calm. Writing our thoughts out on paper forces us to come to terms with the things we’re feeling, working through her thoughts will typically bring her back to a state of calm.
4.     Provides solutions. There are tons of journal prompts and worksheets for students that are designed to help kids think outside of their comfort zones, and as your child writes, she will inevitably start to come up with solutions to her problems. (Source:  Meraki Lane).
     If your student chooses to continue after our two week introduction, they should enroll either in the preteen or teen class ongoing Self-Confidence Project Class.