Embracing Courage and Positive Self-Talk with Gustavo the Shy Ghost
If you have not read the adorable book Gustavo the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago, you are truly missing out! This story offers a gentle yet powerful way to discuss courage and positive self-talk with children. Let’s dive into how you can use this wonderful picture book for a meaningful classroom lesson.
Story Time!
Begin your lesson by reading Gustavo the Shy Ghost to the students. This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of Gustavo, a ghost who is excellent at doing all sorts of ghostly things but struggles with making friends due to his shyness. The Day of the Dead is approaching, and Gustavo must find the courage to connect with others.
Discussion Questions
After reading the story, engage the students with the follow up questions and statements to help them reflect on Gustavo’s experiences and relate them to their own lives:
Start by asking how Gustavo's shyness made him feel, highlighting emotions such as fear, loneliness, and sadness.
Discuss his fear of making friends and talking to others, and encourage students to share times when they have felt shy or nervous.
Explore how Gustavo tried to connect with other monsters by hiding in plain sight and how it didn’t work, leaving him feeling even more isolated.
Reflect on his decision to put on a big concert, driven by his love for playing the violin, which ultimately helped him feel comfortable and confident.
By drawing parallels between Gustavo's story and their own lives, students can better grasp the concept of courage and the importance of taking risks to find happiness and connection.
Exploring Courage
Next, discuss how Gustavo showed courage. Despite feeling nervous, he decided to put on a concert to share his love of music and connect with others. Ask the students:
1. Can you think of a time when you were really nervous?
2. What happened when Gustavo finished the concert?
Explain to the students that courage means doing something hard even though you’re scared. Gustavo is a courageous ghost because he took a chance to be happy despite his fear.
Introducing Positive Self-Talk
Sometimes, showing courage requires positive self-talk. Positive self-talk involves talking to yourself in a positive way, which helps you feel happy, confident, and calm. Share some examples with the students:
I am smart.
I can do hard things.
Mistakes help me grow.
I am a good person.
I deserve to be happy.
I am kind.
Practice Positive Self-Talk
Present the students with scenarios where they can practice positive self-talk. Often, children default to negative self-talk, which can undermine their confidence and resilience. By presenting relatable situations, students can see how positive self-talk can be practically applied in their own lives. This approach helps children to internalize and adopt positive self-talk strategies. This shift from negative to positive self-talk can significantly improve their emotional well-being, academic performance, and interpersonal relationships.
Encourage students to come up with their own examples of positive self-talk and practice them regularly.
Wrapping Up
Wrap up the lesson by reminding the students that they can do hard things, even if it’s scary. Using positive self-talk can make a big difference in how they feel and help them show courage just like Gustavo did. Celebrate their efforts and encourage them to keep practicing these skills
Swirly Ghost Activity
Your students will LOVE this positive self-talk swirly ghost activity! There are different versions that you can use depending on the needs of your students, and they are ALWAYS a hit! I love seeing them in the hallways and hanging from desks and cubbies long after our lesson is complete. Look at how cute they are!
Conclusion
Gustavo the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago is a heartwarming story that beautifully illustrates the themes of courage and positive self-talk. Through Gustavo's journey, children learn that it's okay to feel scared, but finding the bravery to pursue what they love and using positive self-talk can lead to wonderful outcomes. This book serves as an excellent tool for counselors and educators to inspire young students to face their fears and build self-confidence.
