I can and I can't. How we talk to ourselves.

I can remember growing up, and how adults would remind me of being aware of how I talked to myself saying 'I can't'.  I am so glad I learned to be aware, and not to give into I can't when with a little struggle and discomfort 'I can'.

I want to write a children's story ages 8 to 10 years old that teaches awareness about how we talk to ourselves. Especially being conscious of when we say 'I can't '. Saying I can't puts limits on ourselves. It narrows our abilities and reality. 

Make suggestions as to practicing how to , and when to say and practice 'I can't' with 'I can'. 

The Amazing Echo: A Story About "I Can't" and "I Can"

Characters:

Lily: An energetic 8-year-old girl.

Sparky: Lily's bright and encouraging inner voice.

Setting:

A sunny afternoon in Lily's backyard.

The Story:

Lily stood staring at the towering oak tree in her backyard. Its branches stretched high, crowned with a magnificent swing set. It was a pirate ship swing set, complete with a steering wheel and a tattered sail. Lily had always dreamed of swinging on it, soaring through the air like a fearless pirate captain.

But today, a frown creased her forehead. "I can't," she mumbled, kicking a pebble. "I'm not strong enough to climb that high."

Suddenly, a tiny voice chirped from behind her ear. "Can't what, Lily?"

Lily spun around, surprised. "Who said that?"

"It's me, Sparky!" The voice came again, this time sounding a bit sparkly.

Lily blinked. Then, she realized the voice was coming from inside her head! "Sparky? Who are you?"

"I'm your inner voice, silly!" Sparky boomed (though it still sounded small). "Everyone has one!"

Lily giggled. "An inner voice? Like a tiny cheerleader?"

"Exactly!" Sparky said. "Now, why did you say you can't?"

Lily pointed at the swing set. "I want to swing on the pirate ship, but I can't climb that high."

Sparky tilted his head (which Lily imagined he did, even though she couldn't see him). "Have you tried?"

Lily hesitated. "Well, no..."

"Then maybe you should say, 'I can try!'" Sparky suggested.

Lily thought about it. "I can try?" she repeated slowly.

"Absolutely!" Sparky declared. "Saying 'I can't' puts a big wall in front of you, stopping you before you even start. But 'I can try' opens a door, leading you to new possibilities!"

Feeling a surge of bravery, Lily walked towards the oak tree. It still looked tall, but now, she saw strong branches reaching out like welcoming arms. Taking a deep breath, she started climbing. Her arms ached, and her legs felt wobbly, but she kept going.

"You're doing great, Lily!" Sparky cheered in her head. "Just a little further!"

Finally, with a triumphant cry, Lily reached the platform. The pirate ship swing awaited!

Sliding onto the worn wood, Lily grabbed the steering wheel. A wide grin spread across her face. With a mighty push, she sent herself soaring through the air, the wind whipping through her hair. She was a pirate captain, sailing the high seas on her own pirate ship!

When she finally slowed down, Lily laughed with pure joy. "Sparky, you were right! I did it!"

"See, Lily?" Sparky said proudly. "You can try anything you set your mind to. And sometimes, trying is all it takes!"

Practicing "I Can":

Small Challenges: Encourage your young reader to try replacing "I can't" with "I can try" for small challenges, like trying a new food, drawing something new, or learning a new skill.

Positive Reinforcement: Celebrate their "I can try" moments, even if they don't succeed at first. The act of trying itself is a victory!

Phrases to Practice:

"I can't do this math problem" becomes "I can try to figure this out!"

"I can't make new friends" becomes "I can try talking to someone new!"

"I can't ride my bike without training wheels" becomes "I can try balancing with training wheels off for a few seconds!"

Remember "I Can't" Isn't Always Bad:

While replacing "I can't" with "I can try" is generally a good rule, acknowledge that "I can't" has its place too.

Physical Limitations: "I can't lift that heavy box" is a realistic statement.

Safety Concerns: "I can't run into the street" is important for safety.

The key is to be aware of when "I can't" is a helpful statement and when it might be holding you back.

With Sparky by her side (and a healthy dose of "I can try"), Lily can conquer any challenge!