Self-reflection provides an opportunity for our learners to reflect, not only, on their learning progress, but also consider other areas such as personal growth, their evolving identity, and more! We’d recommend facilitating introspective sessions at least once a week to encourage your students to tap into their thoughts and feelings to grow as students as well as individuals. Here’s an outline of 90 varied prompts that are sure to inspire them to get started.
7 Personal Growth Prompts
These prompts aid learners in stepping out of their comfort zones, handling stress more effectively, and breaking down personal barriers. They’re fantastic for encouraging students to learn from their failures, celebrate their successes, and enjoy their personal growth journey.
1. What is something you’ve always wanted to try but have been too scared to?
2. What can you do today to step out of your comfort zone?
3. How can you better handle stress and pressure?
4. What are some personal barriers you can work on breaking down?
5. What is a recent failure, and what did you learn from it?
6. What is a recent success, and how did it make you feel?
7. Describe an accomplishment that made you feel incredibly proud.
5 Prompts to Investigate Feelings & Emotions
Focus on prompts that tap into feelings and emotions if you’re looking to encourage your students to become more mindful of their emotional state. Exploring the themes below will equip them to better navigate their emotional landscape.
8. What emotions have you been feeling the most lately?
9. When do you feel the happiest?
10. Write about a situation that made you very angry.
11. What activities make you feel most at peace?
12. Write about a time you felt anxious and how you handled it.
Dream Big with 5 Prompts on Hopes & Goals
Encourage your kiddos to think big and work toward achieving their goals. The prompts below focus on guiding your students in the process of articulating their dreams, understanding the steps to achieve them, and visualizing their end successes.
13. What are your biggest dreams and goals?
14. How can you work towards your goals every day?
15. What are some smaller goals you can set to help achieve your big dreams?
16. If you knew you couldn’t fail, what would you do?
17. Write about a dream you had and how it made you feel.
5 Prompts for School & Future Career Dreams
These prompts help students reflect on their educational journeys and consider their future career aspirations. They’ll be able to explore subjects they enjoy, consider their dream jobs, and contemplate challenges faced in school.
18. What do you like most about school? What do you like least?
19. Write about your favorite teacher and what makes them special.
20. What subjects do you enjoy the most and why?
21. What is your dream job and why?
22. Write about a time when school was hard and how you overcame it.
5 Prompts to Reflect on Relationships with Friends & Family
Focusing on friends and family, these prompts urge students to appreciate their relationships. They explore the qualities valued in friends, memories with family, and acts of kindness.
23. Who are your closest friends and why do you love them?
24. Write about a fun memory with your family.
25. What do you appreciate most about your family?
26. What qualities do you value in your friends?
27. Write about a situation where a friend showed up for you in an unexpected way.
Traverse Self-Identity with 5 Purposive Prompts
These prompts encourage students to explore their self-identity. They focus on confidence, beliefs, and moments of feeling different. Reflecting on them can foster self-esteem and self-awareness whilst helping learners gain a better understanding of their place in the world.
28. What qualities do you love about yourself?
29. Write about a time when you felt very confident.
30. How would you describe yourself to someone who doesn’t know you?
31. What are some beliefs you hold strongly?
32. Write about a time when you felt different from everyone else.
5 Probes for Considering Hobbies & Passions
These prompts invite students to write about their hobbies and passions. As they write, they’ll be pushed to consider how these activities influence their lives and can help them cultivate interests.
33. Which hobby of yours brings you the most joy and why?
34. Write about a hobby you’d like to try and why.
35. What are some books/movies/songs that have had an impact on you?
36. How do your hobbies and passions influence your life?
37. Write about a time when you felt extremely passionate about something.
5 Prompts to Strategize Self-Care & Wellness
These prompts guide students in thinking about both their mental and physical health. They focus on relaxation, self-care routines, and moments of well-being. In responding to them, students are encouraged to develop strategies for maintaining their health and wellness.
38. What are some ways you take care of your mental health?
39. What are your top three go-to activities when you need to relax?
40. How do you maintain your physical health?
41. What does self-care look like for you?
42. Write about a time when you felt physically and mentally healthy.
Remold Mindset & Attitude with these 5 Prompts
Reflecting on these themes aims to promote a positive attitude and emotional resilience. They guide students in combatting negative thoughts, handling tough situations, and developing affirmations to repeat in trying times.
43. What are some negative thoughts you often have and how can you combat them?
44. How can you cultivate a positive mindset?
45. Write about a time when you had a negative attitude and how it affected you.
46. What are some affirmations you can tell yourself when you’re feeling down?
47. Write about a time when you faced a tough situation with a positive mindset.
5 Motivation & Inspiration-centric Prompts
Exploring these prompts can foster determination and a sense of purpose. They focus on influential people, motivating quotes, and maintaining motivation during rough patches.
48. What motivates you the most?
49. Write about a person who inspires you.
50. What are some quotes that motivate and inspire you?
51. How do you stay motivated when things are tough?
52. Write about a time when you felt inspired.
Ponder Personal Achievements with 5 Unique Prompts
These prompts encourage students to celebrate their achievements and visualize their future success. By engaging with them, learners will be prompted to reflect on moments they’re proud of, achievements thought impossible, and methods of celebration.
53. What achievements are you most proud of?
54. Write about a time when you achieved something you didn’t think you could.
55. Paint a picture of what your version of success looks like.
56. How do you celebrate your achievements?
57. Write about a recent success and how it made you feel.
5 Prompts for Dealing with Challenges & Difficulties
These prompts guide students through reflecting on challenges and difficulties. Reflecting on them can foster resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.
58. What is a recent challenge you’ve faced?
59. Write about a time when you overcame a huge obstacle.
60. How do you handle failure?
61. What can you do when you encounter a problem you can’t solve?
62. Write about a time when you had to face a difficult truth.
Explore 5 Prompts that highlight Personal Relationships & Love
These prompts focus on love and relationships. By reflecting on them, learners can enhance their understanding of and appreciation for the varied relationships they have with those around them.
63. What does love mean to you?
64. Write about a time when you experienced heartbreak.
65. How do you show love to others?
66. What qualities are important to you in a partner?
67. Write about a time when you felt very loved.
Explore Fear & Courage with 5 Introspective Questions
These prompts guide students to confront their fears and understand courage. By exploring them, learners will be prompted to consider their biggest fears and moments of bravery.
68. What are some of your biggest fears?
69. Write about a time when you were very scared.
70. What steps can you take to confront and overcome a fear you have?
71. What does bravery mean to you?
72. Write about a time when you were brave.
5 Considerations that Highlight the Importance of Values & Beliefs
These prompts are perfect for helping your learners articulate their values and beliefs. They focus on having learners stand firm in their beliefs, respect others’ beliefs, and stand up for their own personal values. By engaging with them, your students will be able to better understand their moral compass and cultivate respect for others.
73. What values are most important to you?
74. How do your beliefs affect your life?
75. Describe a situation where you had to stand firm in your beliefs despite opposition.
76. How do you respect others’ beliefs and values?
77. Write about a time when you stood up for what you believe in.
5 Prompts to Guide Decisions & Choices
These prompts encourage students to reflect on their decision-making processes. They center around challenging decisions, learning from poor choices, and praiseworthy decisions.
78. Recount a time when you had to make a decision that challenged you deeply.
79. Write about a time when you made a poor choice and what you learned from it.
80. How do you make decisions?
81. What was a decision you made that you are proud of?
82. Write about a time when you struggled with indecision.
Dive into 5 Travel & Adventure-related Prompts
Give your students an opportunity to explore memorable travels, dream destinations, try new things, and experience different cultures. Reflecting on these prompts is sure to foster a sense of adventure and appreciation for diversity!
83. What was your most memorable travel experience?
84. Detail your dream travel destination and the reasons why you want to go there.
85. What was the most adventurous thing you ever did?
86. How do you feel when you try new things?
87. Write about a time when you experienced a different culture.
3 Prompts that Focus on Creativity & Innovation
Guide your learners to think about their creativity and innovation. By doing so, they’ll focus on ways to express their creative side, how to convey unique ideas, and the emotions experienced during their endeavors.
88. What are some ways you express your creativity?
89. Write about a time when you had a unique idea.
90. Express the emotions you experience when you engage in creative activity.
The Gratitude Express: 43 Vibrant Journal Prompts for Kids