Animal Strength Cards – Item 204

A lovely set of 52 strength cards suitable for any age child from 4 or 5 up to 16+.

Strengths are for me the absolute basis of self-esteem. There is so much you can do with a set of strength cards. Some ideas:

• In a group ask one child to sit in the centre of the circle and ask the children to choose 5 strengths that represent the child.
• Ask the child to pick someone they admire. What strengths does that person have?
• Lay the cards facedown and ask the child to pick a card. Do they know anyone with that strength? Discuss the strength and what it means. How does that person show that strength?
• Use the strength cards as affirmations by adding ‘I am’ to the strength. ‘I am kind’, ‘I am caring’, ‘I am helpful’. Repeat daily.
• Pick one strength card and decide how you are going to use that strength today, tomorrow, next week or in the future.
• If the child has a problem. Which strength might help him or her to overcome that problem? Choose one or two useful strengths.
• Ask the child to make a list of all their friends then ask them to place a strength card next to each friend’s name.

I have also included an example lesson plan and supporting worksheets.