Storytelling for Self-Awareness: A Guided SEL Writing Tool for Building Growth Mindset.

I

I

was substituting in a grade 2 classroom when I decided to try something new. As a substitute teacher, I love when elementary teachers leave a bit more flexibility, those days when I get to choose the book I’ll read and a writing activity I can try if I want. This was one of those days, and I just loved it.

“Today,” I told the students, “you’re going to write your own growth mindset story. And guess what? You get to be the main character.”

A few heads tilted, a few pencils tapped. But first, we read Think Big together. The kids immediately connected with Maria’s story and the voices of Mr. Big and Mr. Small. After that, we created a simple mind map of challenges they faced and the voices they might hear in those moments.

Then came the writing. The moment I reintroduced Mr. Big and Mr. Small—the voices inside our heads that cheer us on or hold us back—the room shifted. Laughter bubbled up, hands shot into the air, and suddenly everyone wanted to share what their Mr. Small might say.

“Mr. Small tells me I’ll never score a goal in soccer. ”Mine says I’m not good at spelling.”“Mr. Big says I should try again.”

One student wrote about being nervous to read aloud in class. Mr. Small whispered that everyone would laugh. But then she gave Mr. Big the last word: “They might cheer instead.” Another child wrote about struggling with multiplication. Mr. Small kept saying, “You’ll get it wrong again,” but on the next page, Mr. Big reminded him, “Every mistake means you’re learning.”

Watching the kids capture their stories was powerful. They weren’t just writing; they were discovering how to give words to their doubts—and then choosing a stronger, kinder voice to answer back.

Of course, one little girl raised her hand. “But what if I spell the words wrong?” she whispered, almost afraid to start.

“That doesn’t matter,” I reassured her. “Today isn’t about spelling, it’s about your story.” Her shoulders relaxed, and soon she was writing too, her Mr. Big cheering her on from the page.

That day of substituting sparked an idea in me. I thought what if there was a clear template that could make it easier for kids to brainstorm their own feelings with Mr. Big and Mr. Small? That’s when I created Storytelling for Self-Awareness: A Guided SEL Writing Tool for Building Growth Mindset.

I love creating resources where kids can learn more about themselves in an easy and fun way. With this template, they don’t just write a random story, they uncover their own voice, explore their challenges, and practice choosing the mindset that helps them grow.

Inside the template, there’s even a dedicated page for Mr. Small’s voice and another for Mr. Big’s voice because when kids write them side by side, their ideas come alive. The students that day filled those pages with creativity, honesty, and courage.

By the end of the activity, their papers weren’t polished stories with perfect punctuation. But they were filled with something far more important: self-awareness and the realization that doubts don’t define us.

Writing Templates

If you’d like to try this at home or in your classroom, I’m sharing a free brainstorming pages from the guide to help kids get started. (Simply enter your email on my website in the “Snag Free Resources” section, and you’ll be all set to download this resource!) It’s a simple way to begin the conversation about mindset and a powerful reminder that every child has a story worth telling.

Because in the end, it’s not about perfect

spelling. It’s about a mindset that says: I can try, I can learn, and I can grow.

At the end of the resource, I’ve also included a guideline for caregivers and educators on how to use this tool effectively whether in a classroom or at home. It offers gentle prompts and tips for encouraging reflection, not perfection.

You can find Storytelling for Self-Awareness: A Guided SEL Writing Tool for Building Growth Mindset on my website shop or on Teachers Pay Teachers. Whether you’re an educator looking to build SEL moments in your classroom or a parent guiding reflection at home, this resource is designed to make storytelling meaningful, personal, and fun.