YOUTH PROGRAMS

STUDENTS WILL:

Use art journaling supplies to create a unique affirmation project

Learn about positive affirmations

Build confidence and self esteem using I AM affirmations

Practice outspoken affirmations

Learn creative ways to connect with one’s emotions

Projects provide tools to increase mental + social wellness

PROJECTS

PROJECTS CAN BE CUSTOMIZED FOR YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS

THE FOUNDATIONS PROGRAM

A Practice Of Resilience: Empowering Youth Through Journaling + Affirmations

This class is designed to equip participants with essential mindfulness tools and practices that foster mental and emotional well-being. Students will be guided through the Foundations of the Art Of Daily Practice and create their own unique interactive guide to continue their daily practice.

THE FOUNDATIONS

Students will learn about the art of practicing and be introduced to the word “practice” to help them navigate their personal journey. They will declare out loud they have a daily practice together. Students will create their interactive practice guide. Once guide is created students will be introduced to the practices of “For-Give + Release, I AM Affirmations, #Wins and Daily Journaling. They will have the opportunity to meet their journals and spend most of the time in applied practice. Some practices have an outspoken component. The remaining part of the class students will use art journaling supplies to personalize their guide. This part of the practice allows student to establish a connection to their guide/journal increasing the opportunity to continue their practice at home.

STUDENTS WILL:

• INCREASE SELF AWARENESS + DEEPEN THE CONNECTION TO ONES SELF

• BUILD SELF CONFIDENCE, BOOST SELF ESTEEM + MOTIVATION

• ENHANCE ONE’S RESILIENCY SKILLSET

• IMPROVE EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

• POSITIVE HABIT FORMULATION FOR LONG TERM WELLBEING

• CREATIVE EXPRESSION AS A TOOL TO PROCESS THOUGHTS + EMOTIONS

“I have had the pleasure of collaborating with the Artist Nichole Rae in my time as a school counselor at Jefferson Elementary School in Fargo,ND. She was a wonderful instructor to me as well as our students. She demonstrated and guided our students after school in different art media like various papers, washi tape, glue, oil pastels, stamps, and more.

The students created their own I AM affirmation boards. This was powerful self exploration and wordsmithing activity. I still have mine displayed in my counseling office and use the technique in small groups with students . After they created their own boards we took this same idea and created a school banner to share in the library what it meant to be a BOBCAT with our Bobcat school beliefs defined and displayed in an artistic way.

The work Nichole can do with students is impactful in a creative, yet also self -esteem, self- awareness, and SEL platform as well. I hope she has the opportunity to share her gifts with schools in your area as it was a valuable experience for our students and myself personally.

She is also a light, a joy, and a positive force of energy that is such a empowering experience for those who can work with her, something that is very needed in our schools right now for staff and students alike.”

Laura Sokolofsky Horizon 5th Grade Counselor M.Ed. NCC LAPC

FOR TEACHERS

CONNECT YOUR STAFF TOGETHER FOR A PRACTICE

Teachers will learn the foundational practices of the Art Of Daily Practice

These tools will provide creative ways to help increase self care, heal burnout and negative stress using journaling and affirmation practices.

CULTIVATE TEAM BUILDING | BUILD RELATIONSHIPS + SOCIAL CONNECTIONS | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

PROJECTS

“As I was unpacking boxes and setting up my classroom, I came across my I AM AFFIRMATION name tag. I smiled as I was reminded about the day that it was made.

Artist Nichole Rae was coming to the classroom to work with my students! As the kids came back to the room and saw papers, oil pastels, and Nichole’s smiling face, the room started to buzz in excited anticipation. Nichole invited them to their seats and began talking with them as if they were old friends. Soon the class was calling back positive affirmations, “I AM brave”, “I AM smart”, “I AM creative”. Tears rushed to my eyes as I listed to those strong positive words fill the room. In that moment Student 1 could forget about being up at 4:00 am taking care of her baby sister. Student 2 had something stronger than his depression filling his thoughts. Student 3 was able to block out the constant arguing and fighting he was surrounded by when at home. 

Soon the kids were busy building their I AM AFFIRMATION name tags. Nichole could see how difficult it was for the kids to select positive affirmations about themselves. She quickly adjusted her plans and instructed the class to read one of the affirmations in front of them and then give it to a classmate that demonstrated that quality. The positive atmosphere kept rolling as kids approached their classmates, read them an affirmation, and then handed them the words as if presenting them with a gift to add to their name tag. 

The experience of watching the kids read affirmations and gift them to their classmates is one of those memories that a teacher remembers years later. As I secure my I AM AFFIRMATION name tag to my desk I start planning when Artist Nichole Rae can come work with this year’s class.” 

- Rachel Jaeger, 5th Grade Teacher