Confidence scenarios for kids: 17 situations to practise

By the Life Scenario team · Updated · For children 6–14

These 17 situations ask a child to trust themselves while others are watching: presenting in class, wearing the costume they chose, asking new friends to use their real name. Read one and ask what your child would do, then what they would like to be able to do.

Confidence grows from small wins, so these scenarios are mostly moments a child can handle with one sentence or one step: answering a classmate who teases them in front of others, finishing a presentation after losing their place, crossing the stage in a costume some kids laughed at.

The scenarios were written by the Life Scenario team together with child psychologists, and each one appears here exactly as it does in the game. To make a free printable, use your browser’s Print command: the page prints as a plain list.

All 17 confidence scenarios

  1. Quiet no more

    Ages 6–14

    At school, people call you “the quiet one.”

    You hear it so often that even when you want to speak up, you stop yourself because “quiet” feels like your role.

    But lately you’ve started to wonder if you’ve let that label decide too much about you.

    Also practises: self-awareness, courage

    Practise this one: Quiet no more

  2. Tryout Nerves

    Ages 6–14

    You’ve practiced for weeks to make the school sports team. On tryout day, you miss your first shot — then your second. You can feel everyone watching. Your coach frowns and writes something on their clipboard.

    You start to think, "Maybe I’m just not good enough." What do you do?

    Also practises: courage, resilience, self-awareness

    Practise this one: Tryout Nerves

  3. Playground nasty

    Ages 8–14

    A classmate teases you in front of others and says you always get things wrong. Your friends are watching how you respond. Some giggle, others look concerned. What do you do?

    Also practises: courage, social awareness

    Practise this one: Playground nasty

  4. Class Joke?

    Ages 10–14

    You answer a question in class, but you pronounce one of the characters wrong

    A few classmates laugh, and one whispers, “Nice one, genius.”

    Your cheeks go red — you want to disappear.

    You think you had a good point but the whole class is focussed on your pronunciation.

    Later, the teacher says, “Good try — at least you had the courage to speak up.”

    What do you do?

    Also practises: courage, self-control, resilience

    Practise this one: Class Joke?

  5. Costume Parade: Rainbow Unicorn Meets Superheroes

    Ages 6–10

    It’s Costume Parade Day at school! You decided to dress as a rainbow unicorn, because you love bright colors and magical things. When you arrive, some kids laugh a little at your costume. You feel a bit shy and wonder if you should’ve worn something “cooler.” Your teacher announces that everyone will walk across the stage to show off their costume. You're next. What do you do?

    Also practises: optimism, belonging

    Practise this one: Costume Parade: Rainbow Unicorn Meets Superheroes

  6. Group work isn't fun

    Ages 6–10

    Your teacher announces a new group project and says,

    “You can choose your own teams.”

    Within seconds, everyone starts pairing up. You turn around — the classmates you usually work with already grouped together without asking you.

    Someone glances at you and says,

    “Sorry, our group’s full.”

    You feel your face burn.

    You could go ask to join another group, but the thought of being rejected again makes your stomach twist.

    You consider pretending you’d rather work alone — but deep down, you don’t want to.

    What do you do?

    Also practises: belonging, optimism, resilience

    Practise this one: Group work isn't fun

  7. It doesn't add up!

    Ages 6–10

    You’re working on a tricky maths problem in class. You try a few times but keep getting the answer wrong. Some classmates finish quickly. You feel frustrated and want to give up. What do you do?

    Also practises: resilience, self-awareness, focus

    Practise this one: It doesn't add up!

  8. Nervous Performer

    Ages 6–12

    Your teacher asks if anyone wants to perform a talent for Friday’s class. You’re interested but nervous others will laugh. What do you do?

    Also practises: self-control, courage

    Practise this one: Nervous Performer

  9. Echoes of the Coach

    Ages 6–14

    During PE, your teammates repeat what the coach says in a mocking tone. The coach hasn’t noticed. You’re not sure if it’s funny or rude. What do you do?

    Also practises: relationship skills, social awareness, resilience

    Practise this one: Echoes of the Coach

  10. Juice Spill Giggles

    Ages 6–14

    Someone apologises quickly after spilling juice all over your artwork, but keeps laughing about it later. What do you do?

    Also practises: social awareness, resilience, self-control

    Practise this one: Juice Spill Giggles

  11. Mismatched Shoes

    Ages 6–14

    You rush to put on your shoes at school and realise too late that you’re wearing mismatched ones. A classmate points it out to the whole class and laughs. What do you do?

    Also practises: self-control, self-awareness, optimism

    Practise this one: Mismatched Shoes

  12. Taking Turns

    Ages 6–14

    You’re playing a board game and another student keeps skipping your turn by mistake. It’s happened twice. What do you do?

    Also practises: resilience, self-control

    Practise this one: Taking Turns

  13. Whispers and Glasses

    Ages 6–14

    You overhear a whisper about someone’s new glasses looking ‘weird.’ The student hears it too and goes quiet. What do you do?

    Also practises: self-awareness, self-control, courage

    Practise this one: Whispers and Glasses

  14. Public Eyes

    Ages 8–14

    You’re presenting in class, and halfway through, someone in the front row starts whispering.

    You suddenly forget your next line and can only think about what they’re saying.

    You freeze, trying to remember your words, but your brain feels blank.

    What do you do?

    Also practises: focus, self-awareness, resilience

    Practise this one: Public Eyes

  15. A New Start?

    Ages 10–14

    You’ve just moved to a new school where everyone already seems to have their own group.

    On your first week, a friendly group invites you to sit with them at lunch. You’re excited — until one of them starts teasing another student who walks past.

    Everyone laughs, then one turns to you and says,

    “You’re one of us now, right? We don’t talk to people like that.”

    The group waits for your reaction — smiling, testing you.

    Your heart races. You’ve wanted to belong for so long, but not like this.

    What do you do?

    Also practises: integrity, courage, social awareness

    Practise this one: A New Start?

  16. A Week of Silence

    Ages 10–14

    It’s been almost a week since anyone’s really talked to you at school.

    No one’s been mean — they just… don’t include you.

    At lunch, you scroll on your phone pretending to be busy.

    You laugh quietly at videos so it looks like you’re not alone.

    Each day you tell yourself, “Maybe tomorrow someone will sit with me.”

    But when tomorrow comes, it’s the same.

    Part of you wants to give up trying — another part whispers, “Don’t.”

    What do you do next?

    Also practises: optimism, self-awareness, resilience

    Practise this one: A Week of Silence

  17. Nickname?

    Ages 12–14

    Your new friends say your name is “too hard to pronounce” and start calling you by a nickname that isn’t really you.

    At first it seems harmless, but now everyone uses it — even teachers.

    You like being accepted, but it feels like you’re losing a part of who you are.

    What do you do?

    Also practises: social awareness, integrity, belonging

    Practise this one: Nickname?

How can you use these at home or in class?

  1. Ask two questions: what would you do, and what would you like to be able to do? The second answer tells you what to practise.
  2. Turn that into one short line and rehearse it until it comes easily, for example “My name is Siddharth. Please use it.”
  3. Practise standing tall and looking up while saying it. Many children know the words and lose them under pressure.
  4. When a real moment goes well, name it exactly: “You kept going after you lost your place.” A specific comment is easier to remember than “Well done.”

Questions parents and teachers ask

What are examples of confidence for kids?

Putting a hand up when unsure of the answer, carrying on with a presentation after a mistake, trying out for a team, and asking people to drop a nickname they don’t like.

How can I help a shy child with these scenarios?

Let them practise the line with you first, then with a sibling or friend, and only then in real life. Our guide to apps for shy kids covers other kinds of help too.

What is the difference between confidence and self-esteem?

Self-esteem is how a child feels about themselves overall. Confidence is belief in what they can do in a particular moment. Practising small moments builds confidence, and that can feed self-esteem over time.

Can teachers use these confidence scenarios?

Yes. Pairs take turns playing the child and the person who teases or interrupts, then swap. Printing the page gives you a set of cards.

Guides for parents on this

One situation in depth

My child freezes when presenting in front of the classHalfway through a presentation, your child’s mind goes blank. Lines to get going again for ages 6–14, and how to prepare at home for the next one.Classmates laughed at my child in classA wrong answer, a spilled bag or the wrong day for dress-up, and the class laughed. Lines to help a 6 to 14-year-old move on, and what to say at home.

More scenario lists

The whole scenario library