About This Lesson
When we reflect on each other's strengths, the whole community benefits from improved relationships.
Shift the focus to strengths with this printable journal and a visual list of Character Strengths. Bedtime is a great time for students to practice Strength Spotting by reflecting on what strengths they spotted in other people that day. You can encourage parents to do this with their child and you can use it at home with your family, too.
This printable resource can help you implement Strength Spotting, a positive intervention about noticing and celebrating what's right in yourself and others. Imagine the positivity that could ripple through our exchanges if we started leading with our own strengths and spotting the strengths of others.
Here's what you'll get:
- Printable journal template and visual Character Strengths list
- Digital resources for implementing Character Strengths & Strength Spotting in the classroom
- Access to Strength Spotting lesson plans and a unit study
Why you'll love this activity:
*Focusing on what is right about ourselves and others tremendously impacts our wellbeing and community relationships and engagement.
* The activity is easy to read and implement
* You can use this resource as part of a comprehensive, science-based unit study.
* The associated free unit study for Strength Spotting comes with activities, downloadable worksheets, and even IEP and BIP recommendations tailored specifically to students with autism.
Ways to Use
- Use before bedtime to end the day with a strengths focus
- Incorporate into SEL curriculum, small groups and/or individual counseling sessions to teach about the importance of strengths and how to use this journal activity before bedtime
- Families can use this at home, too!
What is Strength Spotting?
Humans have a biological need to be seen and appreciated for who we are at our core — in other words, our Signature Strengths. Positive Psychology researchers Martin Seligman and Christopher Peterson created the Values in Action Survey or The VIA. This 96-item VIA survey identifies your capacity to exhibit each of 24 Character Strengths. These 24 strengths were identified as being valued by humans across many cultures and holding value throughout history.
Strength Spotting builds on the skill of Character Strengths, moving you from simply becoming AWARE of your strengths to EXPLORING and APPLYING them more intentionally. Strength Spotting is the skill of noticing, describing, and appreciating the Character Strengths in yourself and those around you. This skill encourages you to see people as an orchestra of strengths by shining the light on what is best with the people around you and in your community. This practice not only benefits you—it also helps others, including students with autism, increase their capacity to put their strengths into action in beneficial ways. Let's shine a light on what is RIGHT with us and those around us so we might all flourish together.
The Science of Strength Spotting
The evidence is clear — knowing and using your strengths positively impacts your life. If you keep your strengths top of mind and live them each day, you're significantly more likely to thrive. People who know their strengths and utilize the practice of Strength Spotting experience:
- Enhanced overall wellbeing and life satisfaction
- Greater happiness and less depression
- Greater relationship satisfaction
- Less stress and reduced anxiety
- Higher levels of positive work experiences
- Increased intrinsic motivation and engagement
Looking for more Strength Spotting resources?
* Explore the free Strength Spotting Unit Study, which comes with teaching slides, additional worksheets and activities, and even IEP and BIP recommendations tailored specifically to students with autism.
Proof Positive's resources are and will always be free. Be well!
★Bonus access to full lesson plans and unit studies on the skills of happiness at our Skill Center
