Self-Awareness Dialogue Script

Hello there! Today we're going to have a conversation about how you talk to yourself, especially when things get tough. I’m here to help you notice when your self-talk might be bringing you down, and how you can change it to feel better and do better.

Step 1: Introduction

Teacher: "Can you tell me what you think self-talk is? How do you think it affects the way you feel and act in school and with friends?"

(Allow the student some time to think and share their thoughts.)

Teacher: "That's a great way of looking at it. Self-talk includes the little voices in our head, and sometimes they can be really positive, while other times they can be negative. Let’s explore this together."

Step 2: Identifying Negative Self-Talk

Teacher: "Have you ever caught yourself thinking, 'I'm not good enough,' or any other negative statements? What did you do when you noticed those thoughts?"

(Encourage the student to describe a personal experience. You may need to give examples if they’re having trouble.)

Teacher: "It’s important to notice these moments because they can make us question ourselves. Today, we’re going to learn some ways to transform these thoughts."

Step 3: Transforming Negative to Positive

Teacher: "Imagine a situation where you felt you weren't capable of doing something. Let's take that moment and think: How might you rephrase that thought to make it empowering? For example, instead of saying 'I can't do this,' what could you say instead?"

(After the student suggests an alternative, respond with supportive feedback.)

Teacher: "That’s a wonderful way to put it! Maybe you could also try, 'I’m learning to get better at this day by day.' How does that sound to you?"

Step 4: Reflecting on Impact

Teacher: "Think about what happens when you replace a negative thought with a positive one. How do you feel and act differently when you use positive self-talk?"

(Allow time for reflection. Ask follow-up questions such as: "What differences do you notice in your mood or actions?" or "Can you share a recent time when positive self-talk helped you?"

Step 5: Encouragement and Closing

Teacher: "Remember, it’s completely normal to have negative thoughts sometimes. The goal is not to eliminate them entirely, but to recognize them and gently replace them with more supportive ideas."

Teacher: "Before we wrap up, do you have any questions or thoughts about what we discussed today?"

Teacher: "Great! Try to practice this method each day. The more you do it, the more natural it will become. I’m proud of you for taking these steps toward more positive self-talk. Keep up the good work!"

(End the session with a supportive note and encourage the student to keep practicing this dialogue internally.)

Why Self-Talk Matters Activity: Social Scenario Practice

This activity is designed to reinforce the lesson by using role-play scenarios in which you will practice transforming negative self-talk into more positive, empowering phrases. Work through the following guidelines and prompts to get the most out of your practice session.

Guidelines

1. Setup: Ensure you have a quiet, comfortable space for role-play. If you're working with a teacher or a partner, assign roles to simulate a natural conversation or social situation.
   
   
   
2. Review: Briefly recall what you learned from the Impact of Self-Talk lesson plan and the Self-Awareness Dialogue Script. Focus on connecting with the idea that self-talk influences how you feel and act in social situations.
   
   
   
3. Scenario Introduction: Choose one of the following scenarios or create your own based on real-life situations. Read through the scenario and think about any negative internal dialogue you might experience in such a situation.
   
   
   

Prompts and Scenarios

Scenario 1: Class Participation

Imagine you are in class and you’re about to answer a question. You suddenly think, "I’m going to say something wrong, and everyone will laugh at me."

• Questions for Reflection:
  

  • What emotions do you feel when you have that thought?
    
  • How might this thought affect your willingness to speak up?
    
    
    

• Activity Step:
  

  • Role-play the scenario with a partner. The partner can act as the teacher or fellow student. Practice replacing the negative thought with a positive affirmation such as, "I have good ideas to share, and it's okay to learn if I make a mistake."
    
    
    

Scenario 2: Group Project

Imagine you are working on a group project and you think, "I’m not contributing enough; everyone else is much smarter than me."

• Questions for Reflection:
  

  • What impact do these thoughts have on your participation?
    
  • What is one positive statement you could use to remind yourself of your strengths?
    
    
    

• Activity Step:
  

  • Role-play a conversation with a partner who is a group member. Practice affirming, "I have unique strengths that add value to our project. I'm learning and contributing in my own way."
    
    
    

Scenario 3: Social Interaction

Picture a situation where you’re about to join a new group of friends, but a voice inside your head whispers, "I don’t really belong here."

• Questions for Reflection:
  

  • How does this thought affect your behavior in social settings?
    
  • What could be a supportive affirmation to counter that thought?
    
    
    

• Activity Step:
  

  • Role-play the initial interaction in a social setting. Replace the negative self-talk with a positive affirmation such as, "I am worthy of friendship and I bring a lot to this group."
    
    
    

Follow-Up Discussion

• Reflection: After each role-play scenario, discuss what you noticed about your feelings and behaviors when you replaced negative self-talk with positive self-talk. Write down a few observations in your journal or on a piece of paper.
  
  
  

• Questions to Consider:
  

  • How did changing your internal dialogue affect the outcome or your feelings during the role-play?
    
  • Were there any challenges in making the change?
    
  • How can you apply this practice in a real-life situation?
    
    
    

Remember, it might feel a little uncomfortable at first, but with practice, positive self-talk will become a natural part of how you approach challenging situations. Keep practicing, and note the improvements in your confidence and overall well-being!