Growing with Strength: Fun Ways to Reflect, Celebrate, and Build Confidence

Teresa Nair
4 days ago
2 min read

As the school year winds down and summer begins, it’s natural to reflect on the past year—its challenges, milestones, and surprises. For families raising neurodivergent children, that reflection can often feel weighted toward what was hard.

But here’s a powerful shift:

What if we used this transition to focus on strengths instead?

At REEL2e and Young Scholars Academy, we believe a strength-based, talent-focused approach isn’t just feel-good language—it’s a foundation for helping our kids thrive.

Why It Matters

Strength-based conversations build confidence and self-worth.
They highlight what your child can do—not just what’s hard.
They spark curiosity, motivation, and joyful learning.
They shift your family from surviving to thriving.

Start the Conversation

Try these 5 reflection questions to help your child celebrate growth (from Sam Young’s article Questions to help your 2e child identify their unique strengths):

What are you most proud of from this year?
What’s something new you learned or did that surprised you?
What activity made you feel strong, smart, or excited?
When did you help someone—or when did someone help you?
What’s one thing you want to get even better at next year?

These questions help your child see how far they’ve come—and where their strengths shine through.

“Where the Mind Goes, Energy Flows”

What we focus on grows. Neurodivergent kids often dwell on struggles because that’s where the feedback lands. But when we guide their focus toward strengths, they feel empowered and energized.

Summer Strength-Building Activities

Summer is the perfect time to lean into what lights your child up—while building real skills in fun, low-pressure ways.

From “I forget everything” to “I think in pictures”

Activity: Create a visual calendar or checklist for summer routines, camps, or trips using drawings, colors, or photos. Reframe with: “How could we draw or design our summer plans so they’re easier to remember?”

From “I can’t write essays” to “I tell great stories”

Activity: Turn storytelling into a summer project—record a podcast, draw a comic book, or create a narrated slideshow. Reframe with: “What story do you love to tell that we could turn into something fun this summer?”

These activities reframe challenges while building planning, communication, and creative thinking.

Everyday Reframes & Strength-Based Prompts

Try these simple prompts to shift your child’s focus from struggle to strength:

“What part of this feels fun, even just a little?”
“What do you already know that could help here?”
“When did you feel ‘in the zone’ this week?”
“If you were the teacher, how would you teach this in a fun way?”

Want More Strength-Based Support?

Young Scholars Academy is a virtual, strength-based village where 2e, gifted, and neurodivergent kids thrive. Explore classes: youngscholarsacademy.org Use code YSAREEL10 for 10% off all classes.

REEL2e is proud to support families in discovering strengths, building skills, and growing a connected community.