BRAIN DETECTIVE
This is what happens when your brain tells you something might happen, even though you don't know for sure that it will.
What is a prediction?
What's the first step when you notice yourself getting angry or overwhelmed?
What is STOP and Think
Name one breathing technique you've practiced in therapy.
What is 4–4–4 breathing?
Name one adult at school who can help when you're having a difficult day.
Teacher, counselor, administrator, school social worker, nurse, or another trusted adult.
If someone is being mean to you, does their behavior determine your worth?
No
Name one person you can talk to when you're having a really difficult time.
A trusted family member or another trusted adult.
Your teacher corrects you, and your brain immediately says, "Everyone thinks I'm stupid." Is that a fact or a thought?
Thoughts/ Interpetation
You're angry and want to immediately yell. What should happen before you act?
Answer:
Pause and think
Name one object or sensory tool that can help your body calm down.
What is a squish ball/fidget?
You're confused about an assignment. What's stronger: pretending you understand or asking for clarification?
Ask for help
Someone makes one rude comment. What's one healthy response?
Ignore it, walk away, stay calm, or seek appropriate adult support.
Is asking for help a sign of weakness?
No. What is a strength?
Someone doesn't say hello to you in the hallway. Name two different explanations besides "They don't like me."
They didn't see me
they're distracted
they're having a bad day
They're thinking about something else.
Name a choices you could make when someone annoys you at school.
Walk away, breathe, ignore it, talk to a teacher, use positive self-talk, ask for help.
You feel anxious because of thunder. Name two coping skills you could use.
Deep breathing, grounding, positive self-talk, sensory tool, talking to a trusted person.
You're getting overwhelmed in class. Give me one sentence you could use to ask an adult for help.
"I'm getting overwhelmed and I need some help."
Someone repeatedly targets you. Name one reason you should tell an adult.
Because repeated bullying can require adult intervention and support
Name three things that can help you get through a difficult emotional moment.
Coping skills, family support, hobbies, grounding, breathing, talking to an adult, following the safety plan.
Your brain says, "Middle school is going to be terrible." Give me one question you could ask your brain to test that thought.
"What evidence do I have?" / "Do I know that for sure?" / "What else could happen?"
Your body is at a 9/10 anger level. What's probably NOT a good time to make a major decision?
What is when you're highly activated?
You're in class and feeling overwhelmed. You can't start doing jumping jacks. Name two classroom-appropriate ways to regulate.
Slow breathing, grounding, feet on floor, subtle muscle relaxation, appropriate fidget, asking for a break.
A student keeps bothering you repeatedly. Is this something you have to solve completely by yourself?
No. What is getting a trusted adult involved?
A student says, "Don't tell anyone." You feel unsafe. Should you keep the secret?
No. Safety concerns should be shared with a trusted adult.
If someone starts having thoughts about hurting themselves, should they keep it secret?
No. Tell a trusted adult immediately and follow the established safety plan.
Turn this thought into a more balanced thought:
"If someone doesn't like me, something is wrong with me."
"Not everyone has to like me, and another person's opinion doesn't determine my worth."
You're extremely angry. Someone insults you. Your brain says, "Get them back." What are three things you can do before deciding what to do next?
Pause, breathe/ground, identify choices, walk away, get adult support, or use another coping tool.
Your coping skill isn't working. Does that mean you failed?
No. It means it's time to try another strategy or get support.
Name three things you can control at school and three things you cannot control.
Can control: choices, words, effort, coping skills, who you ask for help.
Cannot control: other people's behavior, other people's opinions, unexpected events.
You are being bullied and feel like you might lose control. Give me your first four steps.
Stop → regulate → move away/get to safety → tell a trusted adult
Clue:
Complete this statement:
"Being independent doesn't mean ________. It means ________."
Possible answer: "Being independent doesn't mean handling everything alone. It means knowing what I can handle and knowing when to ask for help."