About This Lesson
Strengths are best when they are mindfully and intentionally put into action. Use this worksheet to help students document and reflect on their unique combination of strengths and how to share them with others.
Before getting started, have students and staff take the VIA Character Survey to discover their unique set of strengths. This is a great way to get your community thinking about what is RIGHT with them, how their strengths show up in their lives, and how to put them into action. Students will then reflect on what their unique Character Strengths look like across the various aspects of their lives. Finally, this reflection activity will help students share their strengths with those they love and spend time around. When friends, family, and colleagues know your strengths, they can help you spot them in action.
Here’s what you’ll get:
- Printable worksheet
- Guidance on implementing Character Strengths in the classroom
- Access to Character Strengths lesson plans and a unit study
Why you’ll love this activity:
*Focusing on what is right about ourselves and others has a tremendous impact on our wellbeing and community relationships and engagement.
* The activity is easy to read and implement
* You can use this resource as part of a comprehensive, science-based unit study.
* The associated free unit study for Character Strengths comes with activities, downloadable worksheets, and even IEP and BIP recommendations tailored specifically to students with autism.
Ways to Use
- Incorporate into SEL curriculum
- Integrate into small groups and/or individual counseling sessions
- Families can use this at home, too!
What are Character Strengths?
Positive Psychology researchers Martin Seligman and Christopher Peterson created the Values in Action Survey, or The VIA. This 96-item VIA survey identifies your capacity to exhibit each of 24 Character Strengths. These 24 strengths were identified as being valued by humans across many cultures and holding value throughout history.
The skill of identifying character strengths centers on the question of “What is RIGHT with me?” and “Who am I at my BEST?” The science of character strengths is clear — focusing on what is right about ourselves and others has a tremendous impact on our wellbeing, relationships, and engagement. This is true of everyone, including students with autism. Employing Signature Character Strengths can help empower students in all aspects of their lives. Let’s shine a light on what is RIGHT with us and those around us so we might all flourish together.
The Science of Character Strengths
The evidence is clear — knowing and using your strengths positively impacts your life. If you keep your strengths top of mind and live them each day, you're significantly more likely to thrive. Research indicates a three-pronged approach to character strengths is best — become aware, begin to explore, and continually find new ways to apply your strengths in order to thrive! Knowing and using your character strengths can:
- Improve mental, physical, and social health
- Boost greater happiness and overall wellbeing
- Increase work satisfaction and positive association with work
- Improve your relationships
- Buffer against the onset of mental health challenges
- Build psychological resilience
Looking for more Character Strengths resources?
* Explore the free Character Strengths Unit Studywith teaching slides, additional worksheets and activities, and even IEP and BIP recommendations tailored specifically to students with autism.
Proof Positive’s resources are and will always be free. Be well!
★Bonus access to full lesson plans and unit studies on the skills of happiness at our Skill Center
