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Helping Children Share Their Feelings—One Story at a Time

In a world that moves faster every day, it’s easy to overlook the quiet struggles of children. Children may be small, but their feelings can be very big. That’s why helping children learn to express what’s in their hearts isn’t just important, it’s critical for their emotional and mental development. And one of the most powerful ways to do that is through stories!.

At Adventures in Wisdom®, we believe stories are more than entertainment; they are tools of transformation. 

Stories help create a safe space for children to explore their feelings, build confidence, and begin to understand the world within themselves and around them.

Let’s explore how children can learn how to share their feelings, build skills, and begin to thrive one story at a time. 

The Silent Struggle Kids Face Today

Before a child ever speaks about their emotions, they feel them deeply.

Disappointment, fear, embarrassment, rejection, these feelings often sit unspoken in a child’s heart. And when children don’t know how to process or talk about these emotions, they may act out, shut down, or internalize limiting beliefs like:

  • “I’m not good enough.”
  • “I’ll never get it right.”
  • “Nobody likes me.”

What’s heartbreaking is that many of these limiting beliefs form at a very young age, becoming the invisible script that shapes their self-worth and choices for years to come.

And with anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression affecting children at alarming rates, something has to change.

That’s where the right support matters. And what life coaching for kids is all about. 

Life coaching for kids isn’t therapy. It’s not tutoring. 

Life coaching for kids is a mindset-based, forward-focused approach that teaches children how to understand their thoughts and feelings, believe in themselves, and navigate life’s challenges so that they will be confident and prepared to thrive. 

And the key to effectively helping children develop these skills is coaching stories! 

 

Why Stories Are the Bridge to a Child’s Heart

Children naturally connect with stories. When a character faces a challenge, overcomes fear, or discovers their inner power, a child’s brain lights up. They don’t just hear the story, they feel it. Brain science confirms this: stories activate the emotional, sensory, and cognitive regions of the brain, which means children absorb lessons more deeply than through lecture, advice, or even well-intentioned pep talks.

This is the power of the Adventures in Wisdom® coaching program. WISDOM Coaches create an emotionally safe space where children feel seen, heard, and valued. In that space of trust, children can explore big feelings without fear of judgment. By weaving together storytelling with and life coaching, WISDOM Coaches help children discover new perspectives, develop new skills, and learn how to handle challenges in their own lives.

Instead of talking about their own fears or struggles directly, children can reflect on what a character did, felt, and believed. This simple shift removes self-consciousness and opens the door for transformation.

For example:

  • A child who’s struggling with fear can relate to a character who finds courage.
  • A child dealing with rejection can explore how another child learned to feel worthy.
  • A shy child can witness a character learning to speak up, then feel inspired to try it too.

It’s learning without lecturing.

It’s teaching without preaching.

It’s empowering without pressure.

And most importantly, they experience skills and insights in a way that feels safe, relatable, and real.

That’s why stories aren’t just entertainment. They’re a proven path to helping children build confidence, resilience, and self-esteem to thrive in life.

 

Meet Jacob: From “I Was a Zero” to “I Am a Good Boy”

Take the story of six-year-old Jacob.

Every day at school, Jacob was told that he was “bad.” No matter how hard he tried, the teacher only seemed to notice his mistakes. Over time, he stopped trying altogether. When his mom asked about his day, his heartbreaking reply was, “I was a zero again”, referring to his daily behavior chart. 

Unable to help her son, Jacob’s Mom turned to WISDOM Coach® Dianea for help. 

Through powerful Adventures in Wisdom coaching stories like Who’s Flying Your Plane and “Power Goggles®, Jacob learned something no one had ever taught him before: He was in charge of how he saw himself. He realized he could choose to be the “pilot of his mind” and that his teacher’s words didn’t define who he was.

With his coach’s support, Jacob didn’t just change how he behaved; he changed how he felt about himself.

Jacob began walking tall and speaking proudly: “I am a good boy, and I can make good choices.”

That is the power of story.

Real Kids. Real Growth. Real Joy.

WISDOM Coaches around the world are using coaching stories to empower children: one session, one conversation, one breakthrough at a time.

In South Africa, two sisters, ages 5 and 10, struggled with self-confidence. After just a few coaching sessions, the 5-year-old became excited to participate in class, and the 10-year-old saw her grades improve.

Their mom said, “I have seen a significant, all-around improvement in both my girls. This program is remarkable.”

In New Zealand, a 10-year-old boy named Mike was often angry and withdrawn. After learning how his thoughts shaped his feelings through a story-based coaching session, he shared, “I discovered that I am in control of my feelings, not anyone else.” His transformation uplifted the entire family.

This is more than mindset coaching. It’s heart work.

Why Parents and Coaches Choose This Approach

Helping children talk about their feelings is one of the most compassionate gifts we can give them. But it’s also one of the hardest because children often don’t fully understand their emotions and opening up can feel overwhelming. 

The Adventures in Wisdom® stories and STORY Coaching Process change all of that. Instead of parents or coaches guessing what to say, or worrying about how to help, they follow a clear, child-friendly path for teaching 27 essential mindset skills. Skills like handling mistakes, managing fear, building confidence, navigating change, and setting goals.

Through the stories, kids discover that their “grungy feelings” are actually powerful clues. They learn to pause, examine the thoughts driving those feelings, and ask, “Is this thought really true? Is it helping me?” Then, with gentle guidance, they practice shifting their thoughts, so they can shift their feelings and their actions too.

And the best part? Kids love it. They light up when they see themselves in the characters. They feel seen, they feel understood, and they realize that they have the power to create confidence, happiness, and success in their own lives.

What Can One Story Do?

One story can give children words for what they couldn’t explain before.

One story can help them realize they’re not alone in their struggles.

And one story can spark the confidence to face challenges with courage.

This is why stories are at the heart of the Adventures in Wisdom® coaching program. Around the world, WISDOM Coaches are using story-based coaching to empower kids, not with lectures, but with connection and skills that last a lifetime.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you believe every child deserves to feel heard, seen, and empowered and you feel a desire to help children, then becoming a life coach for kids could be your calling too! 

We invite you to download a free coaching story from Adventures in Wisdom and experience the magic for yourself.

Because when a child learns to say: “I am not a zero. I am enough.” Their world changes.

One story at a time.

Renaye Thornborrow is leading a worldwide mission to bring life coaching to kids. Since 2013, Adventures in Wisdom has certified hundreds of coaches in over 30 countries, helping them create a business they love as  a life coach for kids, while helping children build the mindset and skill set for resilience, self-esteem, achievement, and self-leadership so that they are confident and prepared to thrive in life. 

Renaye Thornborrow

Founder of Adventures in Wisdom

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Adventure well, my friend!

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