Methods for Motivating Kids' Moods

This unit helps kids understand that feelings and emotions put them in a mood, and their mood influences their choices. The lessons in this unit will build awareness of what it means to “motivate your mood.” Download the Positivity Posters and Positive Self-Talk Coloring Pages to help your students understand the power of positive self-talk and choices they can make to motivate their mood, such as recharging their energy, getting active, doing a fun activity, or doing something with a friend.

Ask, “What is one thing you don’t like to do?” Have kids turn and talk to a partner to share their dislike. Revisit at the end of the lesson to have kids rework this dislike with how they could change their view on this.

To use this with your students click here.

How Can Kids Motivate Their Mood?

View the slideshow for examples of kids turning an “I won’t” mood into an “I will” mood. Draw students’ attention to the choices each kid can make:

• Anna can stay upset or decide to motivate her mood and do something like dance to music.
• Liam can stay sad or relax with a book.
• Gemma can stay bored or play outside.

Teach Kids to Self-Talk

Key points:

• Negative self-talk, like “I can’t," or “it’s too hard," or “I don’t want to,” are examples of thoughts that make it hard for you to do things that are good for your body and brain. Positive self-talk, like  "I will try my best," or "I can do hard things," or "I believe in me," help you to motivate your mood and make healthy choices.
• You can take charge of your mood and motivate yourself to make a fit choice.

Check for understanding: When might you use self-talk to motivate your mood?

Help Kids Turn Their Mood Around

Ask students to share what they will do the next time they need to motivate their mood. What will they talk themselves into doing?

• A move choice?
• A recharge choice?
• A combination of fit choices?
• Who will they talk to if assistance is needed?

Students record their ideas on the Healthy Choices printable.

Today we learned about using positive self-talk to motivate your mood. Next we will learn about the many choices you can make when you decide to motivate your mood.