For girls aged 8–13, body image is more than how they look in the mirror—it’s how they feel about themselves, their abilities, and their place in the world. In Alberta and across Canada, parents are seeing their daughters face increasing pressures from social media, peer comparisons, and harmful cultural messages. Poor body image in tween years can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, and risky behavior in the teen years.
At Girls on Fire, we believe every girl deserves to feel strong, beautiful, and fierce. Through our confidence-building programs, self-defense classes, and mindset workshops, we help girls replace self-doubt with self-love.
Understanding Tween Girls & Body Image
Research shows that body image struggles often start as early as age 8. That’s why intervention and empowerment at this age are critical.
Our Confidence Conferences in Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer bring together hundreds of girls to explore themes like mindfulness, cyber safety, growth mindset, and body image. Instead of focusing on how they look, we focus on what their bodies can do: breaking boards, mastering self-defense moves, and speaking up with courage
When girls practice martial arts, they discover their bodies are not objects to critique, but powerful tools of defense and expression. Our martial arts and self-defense sessions emphasize safety, discipline, and empowerment—not competition.
This shift from “how I look” to “what I can do” is a cornerstone of positive body image development.
Each program is led by female community leaders and mentors who serve as living role models. By seeing strong, confident women in action, tween girls begin to visualize new possibilities for themselves.
We teach girls to reframe negative self-talk. “I can’t” becomes “I can learn.” This mindset is not just about academics—it directly impacts how they view their bodies and abilities.
From breaking a board to completing a wellness challenge, each achievement is recognized. These victories create lasting confidence that builds self-love.
Parents play a critical role in reinforcing these lessons. Here are three ways you can help:
While other organizations offer empowerment, Girls on Fire uniquely combines martial arts, self-defense, and mindset training. This hands-on, physical approach ensures lessons are not only heard but embodied.
At Girls on Fire, we know that self-love in tween years becomes the foundation for strong, resilient young women. Our programs in Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary and surrounding Alberta communities give girls the confidence to silence self-doubt and celebrate their unique beauty and power.
Every board broken, every friendship built, and every mindset shift is a step toward rewriting harmful body image narratives. Together, we are raising a generation of girls who don’t just accept themselves—they celebrate themselves.
Help your daughter discover her fire.
Explore upcoming Confidence Conferences at girlsonfire.ca.