Self-awareness scenarios for kids: 24 situations to practise

Friend's Success

Ages 6–14

Your best friend wins an award you also applied for. You’re happy for them — but when everyone congratulates them, you feel a sting in your chest and catch yourself saying, “It’s fine, I didn’t even want it.”

Later, you realise you did really want it, and you feel a bit jealous. What do you do?

Also practises: empathy, resilience

The Goal that didn't count

Ages 6–14

You kick the ball into the goal during a family soccer game, but your older brother says it didn’t go in — even though you think it did. Everyone’s watching. What do you do?

Also practises: integrity, self-control

The Participation Medal

Ages 6–14

At a fun family race, you don’t win a medal — but your little brother does. You feel jealous when everyone cheers for him. How should you respond?

Also practises: optimism, self-control, social awareness

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-control, confidence, courage

Argument Echo

Ages 8–14

You get into an argument with your parent about screen time. They raise their voice — and you yell back. An hour later, you notice your heart still racing and your mind replaying every word. What do you do?

Also practises: self-control, responsibility

New Group. New You?

Ages 8–14

You’ve joined a new group of friends who like things you’re not really into. They joke about people who study too hard or help teachers. You laugh along — even though it makes you uncomfortable. That night you think that you've changed a little since hanging out with them, and you don't like it. What do you do?

Also practises: belonging, integrity, courage

You Snap. You regret

Ages 8–14

You’re doing homework when your little brother bursts into your room and accidentally knocks over your water bottle onto your project. You yell, “Get out!” — louder than you meant to. He runs away crying. A few minutes later, you realise he didn’t mean to — and your throat feels tight with guilt. What do you do?

Also practises: self-control, empathy, kindness

Secrets Spread

Ages 10–14

You shared something personal in a private chat. Later, you hear people whispering about it. A screenshot may have been shared. What do you do?

Also practises: kindness, online safety, self-control

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: confidence, resilience, focus

Bright Colors, Big Decisions

Ages 6–14

It’s pyjama day and you forgot. Everyone else is in bright colors. You've gone to school with your normal school uniform. What do you do?

Also practises: courage, empathy, optimism

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, confidence, optimism

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: confidence, courage

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: confidence, courage, resilience

Taking Turns

Ages 8–12

You’re in a play and supposed to share lines. Your partner keeps trying to say all of them. What do you do?

Also practises: relationship skills, empathy, courage

Feeling a little lonely

Ages 8–14

You've been increasingly ignored by more and more of your friends. You don't know why. What do you do?

Also practises: social awareness, self-control, optimism

Friend Next Door?

Ages 8–14

You and your neighbour have been best friends for years — you hang out almost every day after school.

One morning you call out over the fence like usual, but this time he says, “I’ve got a friend over today — maybe another time.” As the day goes on, you see them laughing and playing together, and you start wondering if he likes his new friend more than you. What do you do?

Also practises: resilience, kindness, relationship skills

Movie without me?

Ages 8–14

You and your two closest friends always hang out on weekends — it’s your thing. On Friday afternoon, you overhear them talking excitedly about going to the movies the next day. You wait for them to mention inviting you… but they don’t. What do you do?

Also practises: kindness, resilience

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, confidence, resilience

Silent Treatment

Ages 8–14

You accidentally said something in a group chat that embarrassed your friend. You apologised right away, but since then, they’ve stopped talking to you — no replies, no eye contact at school.

Days turn into a week. You start wondering if the friendship’s over.

What do you do?

Also practises: online safety, relationship skills, resilience, integrity, empathy

Unchosen

Ages 8–14

Your teacher announces a surprise class project — “Pick your own partners!” — and the room bursts into noise. You quickly turn to your best friend, but they’ve already teamed up with someone else. You look around and see a classmate sitting alone — someone who’s usually quiet and not very confident. You feel disappointed, and part of you wants to just work alone. Then the classmate looks up and says softly, “Do you… want to work together?”

Also practises: resilience, empathy, kindness

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, confidence, resilience

The Argument you weren't in

Ages 10–14

You’re in your room doing homework when you hear your parents arguing loudly downstairs.

It’s about money — again.

You hear your name come up. One of them says,

“We can’t keep paying for all these extras — they don’t even appreciate it.”

The room goes quiet.

A few minutes later, your mum knocks on your door, eyes red, and says softly,

“Hey, everything’s fine. How’s your homework going?”

You want to yell, cry, and ask what’s really happening — but you also don’t want to make things worse.

What do you do?

Also practises: integrity, self-control, empathy, resilience

The Version of you

Ages 10–14

You’ve noticed that when you act funny and carefree, people include you more.

When you’re quiet or serious, they scroll on their phones or ignore you.

You’ve started performing — always joking, always upbeat — even when you don’t feel like it.

Lately, you’re exhausted and not sure which version of you is real anymore.

What do you do?

Also practises: integrity, belonging, self-control

Video post

Ages 12–14

You’re at your friend’s house, and everyone’s joking around. Your friend secretly records you dancing and uploads it to their story with a funny caption.

You laugh at first - but later notice people at school commenting on it and tagging you. Some are kind, but others make fun of it.

Your friend says, “Relax, it’s just a joke - everyone loved it.” What do you do?

Also practises: online safety, courage