Brave Mission Cards Activity
Brave Mission Cards
Small Group Activity • Level 1-2 Exposure
Level 1: Quiet
The Color Swap
"Pick a buddy in the group. Use your hand to point to a color you need for your drawing. When they give it to you, give them a big high-five!"
Reward: 1 Brave Point
Level 1: Quiet
Secret Delivery
"The teacher has a 'Secret Mission' note. Walk with your group to the teacher's desk. Your job is to hand the teacher the note and smile."
Reward: 2 Brave Points
Level 2: One Word
The Choice Game
"A buddy will ask you: 'Pizza or Ice Cream?' Use your brave voice to say just ONE word for the one you like best!"
Reward: 3 Brave Points
Level 2: One Word
Echo Mission
"Your teacher will say a funny sound like 'Bloop!' or 'Pop!' Can you use your voice to echo it back so the group can hear you?"
Reward: 3 Brave Points
Teacher Instructions:
- Cut these cards out and laminate them for durability.
- Let the student choose which mission they feel ready for today.
- If a student isn't ready for Level 2, stick with Level 1 missions until they feel comfortable.
- Celebrate every attempt! The effort is the most important part.
Brave Voices Plans Teacher Resource
Voice Explorer Guide
Individual Intervention Plan • CBT Approach
Phase 1
Student Profile
Designed for 3rd grade students who experience selective mutism (talking at home but not in class). This lesson uses exposure-based CBT to identify "comfort zones" and introduce the concept of "Brave Talking."
Objectives
- Identify people and places where talking feels easy vs. hard.
- Establish a non-verbal communication bridge.
- Introduce the "Brave Voice" concept without pressure to speak.
Materials Needed
- Brave Talking Map
- Volume Control Dial
- Colored Pencils/Markers
- Small stickers (Rewards)
1. Preparation & Warm-up (5 mins)
Goal: Establish safety and rapport in a private, low-stress environment.
Start with a non-verbal activity (drawing, building blocks). Use "PRIDE" skills from PCIT-SM: Praise, Reflect, Imitate, Describe, Enthusiasm. Describe the student's actions out loud to build a connection without requiring a response.
2. Mapping the Voice (15 mins)
Goal: Psychoeducation on selective mutism as "freeze" behavior.
Use the Brave Talking Map. Explain that sometimes our "voice motor" gets stuck in the "freeze" position. Help the student color code areas: Green (Easy Talking), Yellow (Tough but can do it), Red (Voice feels stuck).
"It's like being an explorer. We're finding which parts of the school are easy to explore and which parts need a little more bravery gear."
3. Introducing the Volume Dial (10 mins)
Goal: Introduce non-verbal signaling of comfort level.
Show the Volume Control Dial. Practice moving the arrow to show how "loud" or "ready" the voice feels today. This gives the student a way to communicate their internal state without speaking.
4. Closing & Brave Goal (5 mins)
Set a "Brave Goal" for the week. This should be 100% achievable (e.g., "Wave hello to the teacher" or "Point to a choice in the cafeteria"). Offer a sticker for the map as a reward for the session.
Group Mission Manual
Small Group Facilitator Guide • Peer Interaction
Phase 2
Group Dynamics
Group should consist of the target student and 1-2 "buddy" peers who are empathetic and not overly talkative. The goal is "Fading In" peers to the student's comfort zone.
The "Brave Rule"
"In this group, we practice being brave. Everyone has different things that are hard for them, and we help each other."
Session Structure
1
Parallel Play/Activity (10 mins)
Start with an activity that doesn't require talking (e.g., drawing a group mural, sorting items). This reduces social anxiety through shared focus.
2
Forced Choice Questions (10 mins)
Ask questions that only require a one-word answer or a point. "Do you like the blue marker or the red marker better?"
3
Brave Mission (10 mins)
Use the Mission Prompt Cards. The group completes a "mission" together, like delivering a note or finding a specific item in the room.
Key Strategies for Facilitator
- Wait Time: Give at least 5-10 seconds for a response before rephrasing.
- Echoing: If the student whispers, repeat it clearly so others hear.
- Labeled Praise: "I love how you used your brave voice to pick the blue one!"
- Deflect Pressure: If a peer asks "Why don't they talk?", say "They're just practicing their brave voice right now."
Brave Talking Map Worksheet
Brave Talking Map
Explorer: ____________________________________ Date: ___________
Color the "Talking Zones" below based on how your voice feels in each spot. Green = Easy Talking • Yellow = Tough Talking • Red = Voice feels stuck
MY HOME
THE PLAYGROUND
MY CLASSROOM
SMALL GROUP TIME
Who can I talk to?
Mom/Dad
Teacher
Friends
Me
Other: ____
Other: ____
Every step is progress! Even if a zone is "Red," we'll work on making it "Yellow" together.
Brave Success Tracker Student Resource
Brave Voice Tracker
My Journey to Finding My Voice
1
Non-Verbal
2
One Word
3
Phrase
4
Sentence
Conversation
Star!
This Week's Goal
Example: "Wave hello to Ms. Smith" or "Use my Volume Dial to pick lunch."
Sticker Space
Get a sticker for every time you try your Brave Voice!
How I felt today:
😊
Proud
😐
Okay
😟
Nervous
"Your voice is a treasure. We're excited to hear it!"
