Body Clues
Name one body clue for when you're starting to feel nervous
- Heart beats fast
- Sweaty hands
- Butterfly feeling in stomach
- Shaky hands or legs
- Fast breathing
- Tight muscles
- Feeling hot
Someone suggests playing a different game. The kid thinks "No, we have to play my game! My idea is better?"
What Unthinkable is showing up? What is a Superflex response?
Rock Brain!
"My friend has an idea too! Maybe we can take turns choosing a game"
You make a mistake on an assignment. You think "Everyone makes mistakes. I can fix it and learn from it!".
Is this thought helpful or unhelpful? If unhelpful, how can you change the thought?
Helpful!
1. Hold one hand in front of you.
2. Breathe in through your nose and blow out of your mouth.
3. Each time you breath, put one finger down.
What calming tool is this?
Birthday cake breaths!
Your friend says, "I had such a fun weekend!"
How can you respond?
"What did you do this weekend?"
Your heart is racing and your stomach feels tight before a presentation. What emotion might you be feeling?
- Nervous
- Worried
- Scared
A kid loses a game. He pushes the game board away and says, "This game is terrible! I'm never going to play again."
What Unthinkable is showing up? What is a Superflex response?
D.O.F. (+ Glassman!)
"I'm frustrated that I didn't win, but I can congratulate my friend and ask to play again"
The teacher changes the plan. You think, "This is terrible. The whole day is ruined!"
Is this thought helpful or unhelpful? If unhelpful, how can you change the thought?
Unhelpful!
"This is different, but I can try"
"I can take a deep breath"
"Change is hard, but I am strong and flexible"
"I can try and I may like parts of this new plan"
1. Put your hands together in front of your chest.
2. Push your palms into each other.
3. Hold for 10 seconds.
What calming tool is this?
Palm presses!
You just played a game with a friend. They're smiling, have relaxed shoulders, and say "That was interesting".
What might they be feeling? How can you respond?
- Happy, surprised, interested
- "That was cool!", "Did you have fun?", "Do you want to play again?"
You're clenching your fists because someone changed the rules mid-game. What is your body telling you?
A teacher changes the seating chart unexpectedly. A kid thinks, "No, that's not how we do things! I'm supposed to sit over there!"
What Unthinkable is showing up? What is a Superflex response?
Rock Brain!
"This is different, but I can try my new spot"
Your friend doesn't pick you for a class partner activity. You think, "Maybe they already had a plan. I can ask someone else to work with me!"
Is this thought helpful or unhelpful? If unhelpful, how can you change the thought?
Helpful!
1. Hold one hand in front of you.
2. Breathe in through your nose and blow out of your mouth.
3. Each time you breath, trace up and down your finger with your other hand.
What calming tool is this?
Rollercoaster breaths!
You're talking about all the changes from the most recent update of your favorite game. Halfway through, your friend is looking around the room, fidgeting, and giving short answers like "mhm".
What could you do next?
- Pause and ask them a question
- Pause and let them add to the conversation
- Switch to a different conversation topic
A classmate keeps bumping into your desk. You notice that your breath is getting faster, for fists are clenching, and your ears feel hot. What are you feeling? What's a calming tool that can be helpful?
- Mad, frustrated, angry, upset
- Deep breath, take a break, move away, think of a "maybe" thought
A kid drops her pencil and it rolls under the desk. She thinks, "This is terrible! I'm having the worst day."
What Unthinkable is showing up? What is a Superflex response?
Glassman!
"My pencil fell. This is a small problem and I can pick it up."
Someone starts to think, "No fair", but then pauses and thinks, "I'm disappointed that it didn't happen the way I wanted. I can think about what's within my circle of control".
What are some things within your circle of control?
- What I say
- What I do
- Where I go
- What calming tool I use
Something unexpected happened. Before you do anything, you pause and think, "What might the other person be thinking or feeling?"
What calming tool are you using?
Perspective taking glasses!
Your friend plays a game that you aren't familiar with. They are smiling, talking quickly, and moving their hands a lot as they say, "I beat a really hard level yesterday".
What might they be feeling? How can you respond?
- Excited, proud, happy
- "Good job!", "What game were you playing?", "What makes the level so hard?", "What do you like about this game?"
Your shoulders are tight, your face feels hot, and you're thinking, "This isn't fair!". What's a feeling you might be having? What's a tool you can use?
- Frustrated, angry, upset, disappointed
- Deep breaths, take a break, count to 10, Superflex
A kid was really close to winning a game, but another person wins.
How might each character respond?
- Rock Brain
- Glassman
- D.O.F.
- Superflex
:)
Someone disagrees with your idea. You think, "They're wrong. My idea is the best way."
Is this thought helpful or unhelpful? If unhelpful, how can you change the thought?
Unhelpful!
"There can be more than one good solution!", "We can each share our ideas and work together!", "I can be flexible to listen to their idea"
1. Squeeze your hands into a fist and hold for 10 seconds.
2. Unclench your hands.
What calming tool is this?
Tighten and relax muscles!
You show your friend a new game and ask if they want to play. They're fidgeting, looking around, and hugging themselves. They say, "I've never done this before".
What are they feeling? How can you respond?
- Nervous, unsure, scared
- "Would you like me to show you how?", "How can I help you?", "Do you want to try another game?"