A to Z of Growing Up
The A to Z of Growing Up
A photocopiable wellbeing workbook for teenagers, written for the schools, counsellors and families who walk alongside them.
93 topics, from Acceptance to Zones, covering what growing up actually involves now: emotions, friendships, identity, stress, grief, money, screens, sleep and faith. Every topic has worksheets for learners and notes for the adult in the room.
Every topic in the book
93 topics across 26 letters, plus an All About Me opening page and a breathing reference page learners can return to at any time. Topics in teal are in the free sample.
- Acceptance (in the free sample)
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Apologising
- Assertiveness
- Attendance
- Belonging (in the free sample)
- Body Image
- Boundaries
- Brain
- Bullying
- Career Calling
- Communication
- Comparison
- Concentration
- Confidence
- Coping Skills
- Decisiveness
- Depression (in the free sample)
- Determination
- Digital Wellbeing
- Diversity and Difference
- Dreams
- Emotions (in the free sample)
- Empathy
- Excuses
- Exercise
- Failure
- Financial Fitness
- Focus
- Forgiveness
- Friendships
- Future Self
- Goals
- Gratitude (in the free sample)
- Grief
- Growth Mindset
- Guilt
- Gut Feeling
- Habits
- Healthy Choices
- Hobbies
- Hope
- Identity (in the free sample)
- Inner Peace
- Integrity
- Online Identity and Safety
- Jealousy
- Joy
- Judgement
- Keeping Your Cool
- Kindness
- Letting Go
- Listening
- Low Energy and Motivation
- Loyalty
- Me, Myself and I
- Mental Health (in the free sample)
- Mindfulness
- Negative Self-Talk (in the free sample)
- Negative Thoughts
- Nerves and Nervousness
- Open-Mindedness
- Optimism
- Perseverance
- Perspective
- Procrastination
- Purpose
- Quest
- Quirks
- Relationships
- Resilience (in the free sample)
- Respect
- Roots and Faith
- Self-Regulation
- Self-Worth
- Sleep
- Solitude
- Stress
- Tech and Screens
- Tests and Exams
- Trust
- Understanding Others
- Unique Strengths
- Values
- Vulnerability
- Working With What You Have
- Worrying
- Extracurriculars
- You and Your Future Self
- Youth: Growing Up
- Zest for Life
- Zones
Made to be used, not shelved
A4, lay-flat binding
The book opens flat on a desk or on the photocopier glass, so pages copy cleanly without breaking the spine.
Permission to photocopy
Schools, homeschool families and registered practices may copy worksheet pages for the learners in their care. Site licences are available for multi-campus schools.
Two levels on every topic
Junior prompts for ages 12 to 14 and senior prompts for ages 15 to 18, so one book works across the high school years.
Notes for the facilitator
Discussion starters, what to watch for and practical tips at the end of each topic, written for teachers, counsellors and parents.
South African support
Sensitive topics carry the helplines learners can call here, including SADAG, Childline and LifeLine.
Free activities online
QR codes in the book lead to interactive tools learners can use on a phone, with nothing to download and no account to create.
How the sample works
Now, and in January 2027Sign up for the free sample
Sign up and you receive the online activities straight away. The sample edition, with nine full topics, follows in January.
By the end of May 2027Tell us how it went
Use it in class or in sessions, then share what worked and what was missing. Your feedback shapes the final edition.
For the 2028 school yearReserve the complete edition
Reserve copies now at no cost, and be first to hear when the price and publication date are confirmed.
Get the free sample
The sample edition includes All About Me and nine full topics, with worksheets, junior and senior prompts and facilitator notes.
Sign up now and you will receive the four online activities straight away, ready to try with your learners. The sample itself follows as soon as it is released in January 2027.
For teachers, school counsellors, psychologists, social workers and parents working with teenagers.
Used the sample? Tell us how it went
Which topics worked with your learners, whether the facilitator notes gave you enough, and what you would want to see in the complete edition.
It takes about five minutes. Feedback is open until the end of May 2027.
Trouble seeing the form? Open it in a new tab.
Reserve the complete edition
- All 26 letters and 93 topics
- About 180 to 200 A4 pages
- Lay-flat binding for easy photocopying
- Planned for the 2028 school year
Reserving is free and places you under no obligation. When the price and publication date are confirmed, you will hear first, with a quote for schools that need one before ordering.
For bulk orders and site licences, email info@whatwaydsays.co.za.
Questions
Who is the workbook for?
Teachers, Life Orientation departments, school counsellors, psychologists, social workers and homeschool parents working with teenagers aged 12 to 18. Learners can also use it on their own as a private journal.
Is the sample really free?
Yes. Sign up with your email address and the sample PDF is sent to you. We would love your feedback, but it is not required.
Can I photocopy the pages?
Yes, for learners or clients in your direct care, for non-commercial use, with the copyright footer left visible. Copying across several sites or schools needs a site licence. Scanning and uploading to shared platforms is not covered.
Is it suitable for every school?
It is written for learners of all backgrounds. Where faith and culture are relevant, the facilitator notes acknowledge them rather than assume them.
Does it replace counselling?
No. It is an educational resource that opens up conversations. The sections on depression and mental health explain when and how to refer a learner for professional support, and include South African helplines.
What happens to my details?
They are used only to send you the sample, ask for your feedback and tell you about the complete edition. They are never sold or shared, and you can unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy.
The A to Z of Growing Up is published by What WayD Says. Questions: info@whatwaydsays.co.za