🐢 Thoughtful Turtle vs. 🦔 Protective Porcupine
What animal reminds us to stop, calm down, and think before reacting?
Answer: Thoughtful Turtle
What are body clues?
Answer: Messages from our body that tell us how we are feeling
Name one coping skill you've learned.
Answer: Deep breathing, counting, taking a break, etc.
This type of thinking says, "There is only one right way."
Answer: Rigid thinking
Can you control another person's choices?
Answer: No
This animal may become defensive, poke others with words, or push people away when upset.
Answer: Protective Porcupine
Name one body clue that tells you you might be getting angry.
Answer: Tight fists, hot face, fast heartbeat, tense muscles
When is the best time to use a coping skill?
Answer: When you first notice body clues
This type of thinking helps us adapt when plans change
Answer: Flexible thinking
Name one thing that is inside your Circle of Control.
Answer: my actions, words, choices, attitude, effort
What is one thing a Thoughtful Turtle does before solving a problem?
Answer: Pauses, breathes, calms down, thinks
Why is it important to notice body clues early?
Answer: So we can use coping skills before emotions get too big
Which is a healthier coping skill: taking deep breaths or yelling?
Answer: Taking deep breaths
A movie is canceled because the theater is closed. What kind of thinking helps manage disappointment?
Answer: Flexible thinking
What does "bottling up emotions" mean?
Answer: Keeping feelings inside instead of expressing them
Give an example of a Protective Porcupine reaction
Answer: Yelling, arguing, saying hurtful things, shutting down
Your stomach feels tight and your heart is racing. What could we call these symptoms?
Answer: Body clues
Name two calming skills and explain how they help.
Answer: taking a deep breath - helps us to pause for a moment and think before we react.
Doing 10 jumping jacks - exerts physical energy and helps to distract us.
Turn this rigid thought into a flexible thought: "Today is ruined because it is raining."
Answer: "I'm disappointed, but I can find something else to do."
What can happen when emotions stay bottled up for too long?
Answer: Exploding, outbursts, bigger emotions
You are angry because your sister took something that belonged to you. Explain how a Thoughtful Turtle would handle the situation.
Answer: Pause, calm body, use words, problem solve respectfully. Ask for help from mom or dad.
Name three body clues that could happen when frustration is building
Answer: sweaty tight fists, heart beating fast, headache, feeling strong, negative thoughts, breathing heavy, upset stomach, feeling red and hot, etc.
A student is very upset after losing a game. What are three coping skills you could tell them to try and use?
Answer: take a deep breath, 5-4-3-2-1, box breathing, 1- jumping jacks, squeeze your fists and release, colour or draw, ask for help, play with a fidget toy
Explain why flexible thinking can help reduce frustration.
Answer: It helps us adapt, problem solve and accept changes. We cannot change the situation anyways, so might as well reframe it to something more positive
A friend is being rude. Name one thing outside your Circle of Control and one thing inside your Circle of Control.
Answer: Outside: friend's behavior; Inside: my response, words, choices