Children explore
how thoughts can
influence feelings
and behaviors.
how thoughts can
influence feelings
and behaviors.
On Second Thought:
The program was created for use by school psychologists, school counselors, social workers, other school-based professionals, parents, and caregivers.
On Second Thought is an educational, skill-building program that introduces children to thought awareness, the relationship among thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and consequences, and opportunities to practice more helpful ways of thinking.
On Second Thought is an educational, skill-building program. It is not therapy and is not a substitute for diagnosis, individualized treatment, or professional mental health care.
A quote from Dr. Charles King:
“One of the most novel programs I have seen in my 40 years of professional practice.”
-Charles H. King, Ph.D., ABPP
Designed & Customized for Key Target Audiences
On Second Thought (OST) is an educational program for upper elementary-aged children. It provides structured opportunities to explore thoughts, feelings, behaviors, consequences, emotions, problem-solving, perspectivetaking, and more helpful ways of thinking.
- Increase awareness of thoughts
- Explore relationships among thoughts
- Feelings, behaviors, and consequences
- Recognize and name emotions
- Identify common unhelpful thinking patterns
- Practice developing more balanced and helpful thoughts
- Learn strategies for responding thoughtfully to strong emotions
- Practice problemsolving and perspective-taking
Small exploratory studies involving OST have been conducted in school-related research settings. These studies are described separately on the Research page and should not be interpreted as establishing OST as a treatment for anxiety, anger, or any mental health condition.
Understanding Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors in a Child-Friendly Way
Building Awareness and Positive Thinking Habits
- Introduces thought awareness and the connections among thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and consequences in developmentally appropriate language.
- Uses adapted idioms and humor to help children identify unhelpful “Iffy Thoughts” and explore more helpful “Witty Thoughts.”
- Explores how thoughts can influence feelings and behaviors.
- Challenging and engaging activities in each lesson
- Real life situations are explored
- Colorful and whimsical illustrations
- Fun, creative and interactive
- Designed for flexible educational use with individuals, groups, families, classrooms, and school settings.
- A flexible program that facilitators can adapt to different ages, learning needs, and educational settings.
What Children Practice
Interactive activities invite children to consider whether a first thought is always the most helpful way of looking at a situation.
Colorful illustrations, adapted idioms, relatable situations, and humor are used to help children explore the thoughts and feelings that can arise in everyday situations.
Children are introduced to the connections among thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and consequences.
The program introduces unhelpful “Iffy Thoughts” and more helpful “Witty Thoughts” and provides opportunities to practice considering alternative ways of thinking.
Designed for Flexible Use Across Settings
On Second Thought is an educational, skill-building program that introduces children to thought awareness, the relationship among thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and consequences, and opportunities to practice more helpful ways of thinking.
On Second Thought is an educational CBT skills program. It is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, professional mental health care, or individualized treatment.
CBT principles explained in a child-friendly way
OST uses colorful illustrations, adapted idioms, relatable situations, and interactive activities to introduce unhelpful “Iffy Thoughts” and more helpful “Witty Thoughts”. Activities provide opportunities to explore how thoughts may be connected with feelings, behaviors, and consequences and to consider alternative ways of thinking.
Building awareness and flexible thinking
OST provides guided practice noticing “Iffy Thoughts,” exploring how different thoughts may be associated with feelings and behaviors, and considering “Witty Thoughts” as alternative ways of viewing everyday situations.
OST is designed to support skills associated with:
- Thought awareness
- Emotion identification
- Flexible thinking
- Self-regulation
- Problem solving
- Strategies for responding thoughtfully to strong emotions
- Real-life situations
- Colorful and whimsical illustrations
- Interactive activities
- Flexible use with individuals, groups, classrooms, schools, and families
OST is an educational CBT-skills program. It is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or individualized mental health treatment.
How On Second Thought Works:
- Presents cognitive behavioral principles in language children can understand
- Provides practice identifying unhelpful “Iffy Thoughts” and developing more helpful “Witty Thoughts”
- Explains how thoughts influence feelings and behaviors
- Uses relatable, real-life situations to help children apply what they learn
- Includes engaging, interactive activities throughout each lesson
- Uses colorful, whimsical illustrations to support understanding and memory
- Can be used with individuals, groups, families, classrooms, schools, and other educational settings
- Gives facilitators flexibility to adapt the program to different children and learning needs
Why thought awareness matters
Children may sometimes become focused on an initial thought about a situation. OST provides structured opportunities to notice that thought, consider other perspectives, and explore how different thoughts may be associated with different feelings or responses.
Program Components
Interactive Desktop/Laptop Program
An interactive educational program that provides practice recognizing “Iffy Thoughts” and exploring more helpful “Witty Thoughts.”
Companion Workbook
A companion workbook designed to reinforce key concepts through guided activities, reflection, and real-life practice.