Triggers and cravings worksheet
Reviewing a list of client strengths in therapy can boost self-esteem and confidence, leading to improved well-being. This article provides an overview of the benefits of discussing client strengths and a strengths list for kids.
We’ve included a free downloadable positive traits for kids worksheet that you can save to your electronic health record (EHR) and use in your practice.
What are positive traits?
Positive traits are the qualities and characteristics that make up the core components of our personality. These traits, or character strengths, are reflected in our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Most parents, teachers, and cultures encourage positive character traits in children and youth to support good outcomes, build resilience, and help them lead happier, more purposeful lives.
What are the benefits of reviewing client strengths?
Helping clients identify positive traits is particularly beneficial for those who struggle to recognize their strengths and qualities or have low self-esteem. Using a strengths-based approach that identifies their positive traits supports clients to use their inner resources to overcome challenges, cultivate positive strengths, and build resilience.
Research from the Greater Good Science Center links character strengths to multiple aspects of well-being, including:
Academic achievement
Life satisfaction
Greater happiness
Mental and emotional health
Enhanced social relationships
Fewer psychological problems and reduced symptoms of depression
Improved social functioning
Physical fitness and healthy behaviors
Strengths list for kids
The following strengths list for kids contains a range of positive personality traits, strengths, and qualities appropriate for kids, adolescents, and youth:
Active | Adventurous | Affectionate |
Ambitious | Artistic | Brave |
Bubbly | Calm | Careful |
Caring | Charming | Cheerful |
Compassionate | Confident | Considerate |
Courageous | Creative | Curious |
Dependable | Eager | Empathetic |
Enthusiastic | Fair | Fast |
Flexible | Forgiving | Friendly |
Fun | Funny | Generous |
Gentle | Good leader | Good listener |
Graceful | Happy-go-lucky | Hardworking |
Helpful | Honest | Humble |
Imaginative | Kind | Kind-hearted |
Loving | Loyal | Mindful |
Open-minded | Optimistic | Organized |
Patient | Persevering | Playful |
Polite | Positive | Reliable |
Resilient | Respectful | Responsible |
Self-aware | Self-controlled | Sensitive |
Smart | Sociable | Strong |
Supportive | Sweet | Talented |
Talkative | Team player | Thankful |
Thoughtful | Tidy | Trustworthy |
Understanding | Witty |
Prompts to help clients identify their strengths
Child-friendly prompts include the following. The downloadable positive traits for kids worksheet includes the first seven, followed by a strengths list kids can circle:
What are you most proud of?
What do your teachers say you’re good at?
How do you help others?
What is a problem you solved?
How would your friends describe you?
What do you like about yourself?
Who do you look up to and why?
What is your greatest achievement?
What makes you a good friend?
What do you most like about your friends?
What do your parents say you do well?
What makes you happy?
What do you find really easy to do?
How do you solve problems on your own?
What do your parents thank you for?
How to use the positive traits for kids worksheet
You can download and use the positive traits for kids worksheet in several ways:
Use the worksheet to provide psychoeducation about character strengths.
Use the worksheet prompts to create a list of client strengths and weaknesses, then focus on how those strengths can support areas for growth.
Ask the client to review the list of personal strengths PDF, circle the words that describe them, and share what they notice at their next session.
Use the worksheet or strengths list for kids in group therapy sessions to encourage clients to share more about themselves with other participants.
Combine this worksheet with other strengths-based and positive psychology resources, such as our values worksheet, positive traits worksheet, strengths worksheet, self-esteem sentence completion worksheet, and positive experiences worksheet.
Share the positive traits for kids worksheet with coworkers or leave copies in your office.
Use this worksheet to provide training to interns or supervisees on strengths-based therapy.
Sources
Azañedo, C. M., Artola, T., Sastre, S., & Alvarado, J. M. (2021). Character strengths predict subjective well-being, psychological well-being, and psychopathological symptoms, over and above functional social support. Frontiers in Psychology.
Greater Good Science Center. (n.d.). Learn more about character strengths.
Lai, M. K., Leung, C., Kwok, S. Y., Hui, A. N. N., Lo, H. H. M., et al. (2018). A multidimensional PERMA-H positive education model, general satisfaction of school life, and character strengths use in Hong Kong senior primary school students: Confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis using the APASO-II. Frontiers in Psychology.
How SimplePractice streamlines running your practice
SimplePractice is HIPAA-compliant practice management software with everything you need to run your practice built into the platform—from booking and scheduling to insurance and client billing.
If you’ve been considering switching to an EHR system, SimplePractice empowers you to run a fully paperless practice—so you get more time for the things that matter most to you.
Try SimplePractice free for 30 days. No credit card required.
