Optimistic October Wheel

The Optimistic October Wheel is a simple, child-led activity that helps children recognise the people, places, activities, thoughts, and moments that help them feel hopeful, positive, confident, and ready to look ahead. Using the blank wheel, children can draw or write words, short phrases, or simple sentences about things they are looking forward to, things that give them hope, people who encourage them, activities they enjoy, achievements they feel proud of, or possibilities they would like to explore.

The focus is on gentle self-awareness and recognising what helps each individual child experience optimism. Being optimistic doesn’t mean feeling positive all of the time or ignoring worries, disappointments, or difficult feelings. It is about noticing the good things that happen, recognising possibilities, remembering times when things have worked out, and finding reasons to feel hopeful about what comes next. There are no right or wrong answers. Children are encouraged to complete the wheel at their own pace, making it a flexible and inclusive tool that supports emotional awareness, confidence, resilience, positive thinking, and wellbeing.

We offer two versions of the Optimistic October Wheel:

Optimistic October Wheel – Designed for the month of October, this version encourages children to think about things they feel hopeful about, what they are looking forward to, people who encourage them, and positive

All-Year Optimistic Wheel – A flexible, season-neutral version that can be used at any time to help children explore the things that give them hope, confidence, encouragement, and a sense of possibility throughout the year.

Both wheels are suitable for use in ELSA sessions, classrooms, small groups, or at home. Drawing is encouraged but optional, and minimal writing is required, so children of all ages and abilities can engage confidently with the activity.

Download your Optimistic October Wheel today! Print it, colour it, and fill it in, and children can return to their wheel whenever they need a reminder of the people, experiences, possibilities, and little moments that help them feel hopeful and positive about what comes next.

Download: Optimistic October Wheel