Family roles worksheet
A boundaries worksheet for kids is a helpful tool for therapists to use in their practice. This article includes sample activities, boundary examples, and a free downloadable boundaries worksheet for youth.
Teaching boundaries activities to kids and families is a great way to strengthen family communication and prevent potential conflict.
You can download a free boundaries worksheet for youth at the top of this article to save to your electronic health record (EHR) for repeated use with young clients.
Benefits of using a boundaries worksheet for kids
Teaching boundaries activities to kids is an important part of youth development. It’s never too early to talk to children about social rules and responsible limits for personal space, privacy, and other essential values and cultural norms—which is why a boundaries worksheet for kids can be a helpful tool for therapists to use in their practice.
Some boundaries are common sense, like not hitting other kids. However, as children age, they must develop a deeper understanding of boundaries supporting social interaction and essential life skills.
Teaching boundaries to children and using boundaries worksheets for youth have the following benefits:
Promotes healthy relationships
A boundaries worksheet for kids can help teach kids the importance of respecting others’ personal space, limits, and privacy. For example, kids learn it's OK to say they don’t want to be touched.
Improves self-esteem and confidence
When kids learn to set boundaries, they feel more in control of their lives, leading to increased self-esteem and confidence. For instance, children learn to say “no,” express what they are comfortable with, and assert their personal limits.
Encourages independence and autonomy
Teaching kids the importance of responsibility for their bodies, like bathing, dressing appropriately, and empowering them to make choices—like when they go to the bathroom or seek alone time—can foster a sense of independence.
Enhances emotional intelligence
Once children begin using boundaries worksheets for kids and get used to practicing their boundaries, they become more attuned to recognizing the boundaries, limits, and values of others. This can help them to navigate social situations more effectively and show empathy and mutual respect for others.
Improves communication skills
Learning boundaries teaches children how to clearly communicate their needs and feelings. By respecting others’ boundaries, they practice active listening skills, which are essential interpersonal skills that strengthen relationships and reduce conflict.
Examples of boundaries for kids
There are several types of boundaries to teach to kids using boundaries worksheets for kids:
Emotional boundaries
This might involve teaching children that it's OK to express their feelings and the limits of what is comfortable. For example, you might explain that asking someone not to yell at you is OK, as it makes you uncomfortable.
Physical boundaries
These are the physical limits of who and when people can touch us, and they instill the importance of having autonomy over our bodies. For instance, you can express to others not to touch you in a certain way by saying, “I don’t want to be hugged right now.”
Social boundaries
Teaching social boundaries enables kids to decide what they do or who they spend their time with. For example, in a group setting, they might express, “I don’t want to play this game. Can we play…?”
Time boundaries
These boundaries reinforce that it's OK to take a break or express when one needs time alone. For instance, if one feels overwhelmed during a social event, they could say, “I feel like I need some quiet time right now.”
Material boundaries
Learning about material boundaries relates to how we relate to our possessions and want others to interact with them. For example, kids might tell their peers, “That is my toy, and I am playing with it right now.”
Mental boundaries
When sharing intellectual or mental boundaries, we indicate to others what we agree with or where we disagree. For example, a teen might express, “I don’t agree with you, but I respect that you have a different point of view.”
Electronic/digital boundaries
These relate to kids' use of technology. For instance, parents may limit their screen time by saying, “You can use your iPad for 30 minutes today.”
How to use the boundaries worksheet for kids
Therapists can use the boundaries worksheet for kids in several ways:
- As a boundaries with parents worksheet to use in a family session
- As a visual aid used to provide psychoeducation about boundaries, to identify personal boundaries, and practice ways of expressing boundaries
- As a handout to remind kids of the boundaries they discussed in the session
- Provide adolescents with boundaries worksheets for youth as homework in between sessions
Sources
- The Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children. (2023). Talking to Your Child about Healthy Boundaries. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
- Jacobsen, R. (n.d.). Teaching Kids About Boundaries. Child Mind Institute.
- Scott Hoffman, M., Hanson, B. J., Brotherson, S. E., & Zehnacker, G. (2021). Boundaries: A Boundary Setting and Social Competence Program for Parents and Youth. Journal of Human Sciences and Extension, 9(3), 15.
