Positive Self-Talk Outdoor Activities
Materials Needed: Cones or natural markers to set up a course, and a list of positive phrases.
Instructions:
Create a Relay Course: Design an outdoor course with different "checkpoints" that require teamwork (e.g., a section to hop on one foot, trust fall, a balance task, a mindfulness pause or a blindfolded trust activity with a non blindfolded partner providing verbal cues).
Positive Talk Partners: Participants work in pairs. One person completes the physical challenge while their partner offers positive self-talk aloud (e.g., “You’re doing great—just one step at a time!, You got this!, Take you time!, We’re in this as a team!, You can trust me”).
Switch Roles: After each checkpoint, partners swap roles.
Debrief Together: Gather as a group to discuss how hearing encouraging words from a peer affected their confidence and performance.
Reflection Questions:
How did hearing someone else’s encouragement impact your confidence?
What phrases felt the most motivating?
How can we be better at encouraging both ourselves and others?
Creative Extension: As a group, create a "Team Encouragement Poster" by writing down the most inspiring phrases from the activity to display in a shared space.
SEL Connection: Builds social awareness and relationship skills. This activity emphasizes the power of language to uplift others while reinforcing internal dialogue that fosters self-assurance and team support.
