Why a “Strength Shield” Works
Children often focus on where they struggle — spelling, math, sports, etc. A Strength Shield flips that focus: it helps them see what they do well, what character qualities they value, and where confidence lies.
The Strength Shield Worksheet encourages kids to reflect on their strengths — creative, compassionate, courageous, curious — and place them like armor around their shield. This process promotes positive self-view, self-efficacy, and emotional resilience.
Used in OSHC sessions or classroom wellbeing blocks, this activity becomes a springboard for discussion, affirmation, and identity growth.
Download the Strength Shield Worksheet – Discover Your Strengths Activity
Print and guide children through naming, decorating, and sharing their strengths.
This simple tool helps empower them to own their value, grow confidence, and shape their own story — shield in hand.
🛠 How to Use the Worksheet
- Introduction & Reflection (5 min)
Gather children and ask: What are you good at? What kind of person do you want to be? Share examples: “I’m patient,” “I’m curious,” “I talk kindly.” - Worksheet Completion (10 min)
Give each child the Strength Shield Worksheet. They write or draw 4–6 strengths they see in themselves (or aspire to), placing them across the shield. - Artistic Decoration (5 min)
Encourage them to decorate their shield — colours, symbols, patterns that represent their strengths (e.g. a flame for courage, a leaf for growth). - Pair Sharing / Peer Affirmations (5 min)
Pair children to share one strength and explain why they chose it. Partners can affirm by naming something they see as a strength in their friend. - Extension Ideas
- Strength Wall: Display shields in a “Wall of Strengths” where children walk by and read others’ shields.
- Strength Stories: Write or illustrate a short story where their shield strength helps someone.
- Growth plans: Pick one strength and make a “strength goal” — e.g. “I will use my curiosity by asking one new question every day.”
- Circle of strengths: In a circle, each child names a strength and passes the shield (or object) with that strength to someone else.
🌱 Learning & Wellbeing Benefits
- Positive self-concept: Children label what they’re good at rather than fixate on weaknesses.
- Emotional literacy: Naming strengths helps them understand identity and values.
- Confidence & resilience: Acknowledging internal skills supports handling challenges.
- Community & kindness: Sharing and affirming strengthens connections and respect.
- Reflective thinking: Encourages metacognition — “Why is this a strength?” and “How can I grow it?”
🎯 MTOP Learning Outcomes
| Outcome | Connection |
|---|---|
| Outcome 1 – Identity | Builds sense of who they are, what they value, and what they can contribute. |
| Outcome 3 – Wellbeing | Fosters emotional strength, positive mindset, and self-esteem. |
| Outcome 5 – Communication | Encourages children to articulate internal qualities, share meaningfully with peers. |
| Outcome 2 – Belonging | Affirming and respecting others’ strengths builds a culture of appreciation and connection. |
✅ Download & Empower
👉 Download the Strength Shield Worksheet – Discover Your Strengths Activity
Print and guide children through naming, decorating, and sharing their strengths.
This simple tool helps empower them to own their value, grow confidence, and shape their own story — shield in hand.