Resource
Three Good Things—Or Something Else
Offer optional reflection without demanding positivity or personal disclosure. Includes a two-page A4 printable, specific educator guidance, adaptations and a cut-off quick-reference card.
Ready for a real OSHC session
Preview both printable pages
Download 2-page practical printableCheck the preview, printing notes and licence before use.
When this resource is useful
The page allows positive noticing while acknowledging that a child may not want or be able to identify three good things.
What children do
Use a real, fictional or general example. Skip any prompt and keep the page private.
Materials and preparation
Materials: Printed pages and pencils; use only the optional ordinary materials named on the page.
Allow about 2 minutes to print and place the resource. The activity itself usually takes 15 minutes and can pause when the group needs to transition.
Run the activity
Explain privacy and choice before distributing. Do not ask children to read responses aloud.
The child-facing prompts are:
- One thing that worked today
- One ordinary thing I noticed
- One person, place or activity that helped
- Something that was difficult
- Something I might try next
- A fictional character’s good thing
- Draw instead of writing
- Choose not to complete this page
Adapt participation
Simpler way to join: Choose one prompt and draw or dictate.
More challenge: Compare what “helpful” means in two fictional scenarios.
Children may draw, dictate, point, work beside a peer, observe or join later. Start, Explore and Extend labels describe task routes, not children.
Extend the idea
- Create a general good-things display with no names.
- Turn one observation into a practical plan.
Safety and privacy
Listen without interpreting or promising secrecy; follow safeguarding procedures when required.
Learning opportunities
Look for agency, communication, environmental awareness and help-seeking choices. Record what children choose, explain, test or revise rather than treating completion as proof of learning.
Checking an open-ended response
There is no single required answer. A useful response follows the printed condition and can be explained, demonstrated or revised by the child.
Printing notes
Print at actual size on A4 paper. Page one is child-facing. Page two contains educator guidance and a dashed cut-off reference card that can be kept with the activity or laminated.
