Inside/Outside Self-Discovery for Teens:

Strategies to Promote Resilience, Relationships, and Positive Body Image

The teen years are a critical time for prevention efforts aimed at strengthening self-esteem and resilience, so that young adolescents can resist the pull of drugs, alcohol, sex, and body image obsessions.

This dynamic curriculum was designed to help young teens develop the skills required to successfully navigate the challenging terrain of early adolescence. Through a series of activity-based lessons, teens learn skills that enhance self-awareness, empathy, coping mechanisms, communication tools, strategies for constructive self-talk, methods for managing stress and tension, recognition of the forces that drive social comparison and cause insecurities, and media literacy (especially messages in the media pertaining to body image and dissatisfaction with oneself).

Inside/Outside Self-Discovery for Teens promotes emotional health and resilience by helping young teens to:

• increase internal resources that fortify healthy development
• build communication and conflict resolution skills for managing the ups and downs of peer relationships
• foster the ability to resist cultural pressures to be perfect
• develop supportive inner talk to counter self-criticism

Preliminary evaluative research suggests that participation in this program enhances the coping skills needed for resilience and self-confidence. Inside/Outside Self-Discovery for Teens is ideal for anyone working to empower teens.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Foreword
Introduction
Overview
1st Letter to Parents: Program Introduction
References
Lessons
   1. Why Self-Awareness Matters
   2. Looking at Myself from the Inside Out
   3. Owning, Accepting, and Managing Feelings
   4. Sharing Ourselves through Our Inside/Outside Boxes
   5. Negative Self-Talk: Thoughts That Undermine Our Self-Esteem
   6. Plus Stress, Minus Stress
   7. Don't Take It Personally
   8. Fairly Comparing
   9. Media Awareness
   10. Put Ups: Affirmations of Others
   11. Practicing Self-Affirmations and Learning about Positive Self-Talk
   12. Helpful Not Hurtful Communication
   13. Resolving Conflict: Keeping Friends and Keeping Peace
   14. Our Contract with Ourselves, Each Other, and Our Community
Warm-Up Activities
Appendix A Additional Parent Letters
Appendix B First Parent Meeting
Appendix C Second Parent Meeting
Appendix D Relationship Matters: Additional Activities to Promote Friendship and Prevent Bullying
Appendix E Strengthening Positive Body Image
Appendix F Ideas for Activities to Celebrate Community: Quilt-Making and Reunion Parties
Appendix G Meeting with Faculty
Appendix H Warning Signs for Eating Disorders and How You Can Help
Appendix I Warning Signs for Depression and How You Can Help
About the Authors