Coping Skills
What's a coping skill?
Something you can do to help yourself calm down or handle a difficult feeling.
Your heart is beating quickly, your face feels red, and someone has just yelled at you. How might you be feeling?
Embarrassed, ashamed, tearful, etc.
You lose a game. What is one okay thing you could do?
Say good game, try again, take a break, etc.
What’s the difference between being nervous and being scared?
Nervous is worrying about something that might happen. Scared is feeling afraid of a real or immediate danger.
What could you catch but not throw?
A cold.
Name one thing you can do when you start getting mad.
Take space, deep breaths, get a drink, talk to someone, etc.
Name 2 things that can make someone nervous.
Any reasonable examples.
Your friend wants to play basketball, but you want to play football. What could you do?
Compromise, take turns, play both, etc.
What’s the difference between being embarrassed and feeling guilty?
Embarrassed is feeling awkward about how others might see you. Guilty is feeling bad because you think you did something wrong.
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Brainstorm.
You notice your stomach hurts before school because you're nervous. Name 2 things you could try to help yourself feel calmer.
Deep breathing, grounding, positive self-talk, talking to someone, distraction, etc.
Name 3 clues your body might give you when you're getting angry.
Tight fists, hot face, heart beating fast, tense body, wanting to yell, etc.
You're joking with a friend, but they stop laughing. What should you do?
Stop, check if they're okay, change the joke/topic, etc.
Feeling anxious vs worried?
Worry is usually about a specific problem or situation, like a test tomorrow or a friend being upset with you.
Anxiety is a stronger feeling that can last longer and may make your body feel tense, restless, or on edge, even when you're not sure exactly what's causing it
What goes up but never comes down?
Your Age.
You're really angry and feel like yelling or hitting something. Name 3 coping skills you could try first.
Walk away/take space, deep breaths, count, squeeze something, talk to an adult, etc.
Can you feel two emotions at the same time? Give an example.
Yes — excited and nervous, mad and sad, happy and worried, etc.
You're playing a game and someone changes a rule. You think it's unfair and you're getting really mad. What could you do before reacting?
Pause, take a break, talk calmly, ask about the rule, etc.
What is the difference between confidence and bravery?
Confidence is believing in yourself and your abilities.
Bravery is doing something even when you feel nervous, scared, or unsure.
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Couch Potato.
You're already at a 9/10 angry and someone keeps bothering you. What could you do to calm yourself down without making the situation worse? Give 3 steps.
Example: Walk away → take some deep breaths/calm body → talk to an adult or return when calm.
Someone says, “I’m fine,” but they're looking down, talking quietly, and not joining the group. What might they actually be feeling? What clues helped you figure it out?
Sad, nervous, embarrassed, upset, etc. Looking down, being quiet, staying away from others.
You planned to play football at recess, but everyone else decides to play something different. You're annoyed and really wanted to play football. Give 3 different choices you could make.
Join them, ask someone else to play football, compromise, play football another time, etc.
What is the difference between being sad vs. lonely?
Sad is feeling unhappy about something.
Lonely is feeling like you don't have enough connection or company with others.
The more of me there is, the less you can see. What am I?
Darkness.