Social-emotional learning (SEL) is at the heart of every successful classroom. Helping students believe in themselves, bounce back from challenges, and treat others with kindness is just as important as mastering math facts or reading fluency.
That’s why I created this set of 25 SEL Motivational Coloring Pages—a fun and purposeful way to build a positive classroom culture while giving students space to express themselves creatively.
Why Motivational Coloring Pages Work
These aren’t your average coloring sheets! Each page features a kid-friendly positive affirmation or growth mindset phrase to help students internalize important SEL messages like:
“I Can Do Hard Things”
“Mistakes Help Me Grow”
“My Voice Matters”
“Kindness is Cool”
Students color while reflecting on these ideas, often leading to powerful classroom conversations and lasting mindset shifts.
Classroom Uses for SEL Coloring Pages
Whether you teach kindergarten or upper elementary, these pages are flexible and ready to use all year long. Here are a few ways I’ve used them in my classroom:
1. Morning Work with Meaning
Instead of another worksheet, welcome students with a motivational coloring page. It sets a positive tone for the day and gives them time to settle in.
2. Early Finisher Choice
Give students the chance to color an affirmation when they complete other tasks—it’s a quiet, calming reward that still reinforces SEL skills.
3. Cool-Down Tool
Keep a few copies in your calm-down corner. Students who need a moment can use these pages to reset their thinking in a positive way.
4. Bulletin Board or Hallway Display
Have students color and then share what the message means to them. Display their work under a title like “Words That Lift Us Up.”
5. At-Home SEL Practice
Send a few pages home as part of a monthly family SEL challenge. Students can color with parents and talk about the messages at home.
What Teachers Are Saying
- “My students LOVED these! One of my 3rd graders told me it helped her remember to keep trying on a tough math problem.”
- “I use these in our SEL Friday rotations. They’re quiet, meaningful, and the kids look forward to them!”
Where to Find the Coloring Pages
You can grab the full set of 25 SEL Motivational Coloring Pages in my TeachersPayTeachers store right here or check out the TikTok Video below.
@mrleeslearners Empower your students with these 25 Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and motivational coloring pages! Store link in my profile. #SEL #socialemotionallearning #empower ♬ Pretty (Sped Up) - MEYY