Sports Facts
How tall is the basketball hoop set for kids age 8-10?
8 feet high! 6th graders to NBA players play on 10 ft hoops.
What causes trauma?
Bad, sad or scary things that happen to kids
True or False: "I can't control when I have trauma reactions, but I can control how I help make myself feel better"
True!
What is the "off-switch" to our body's internal alarm system?
Relaxation!!! Breathing is usually the fastest "off-switch"
Which sport is NOT in today's Olympic games?
a. Ping Pong
b. Baseball
c. Basketball
d. Horseback Riding (Equestrian)
What is avoidance?
When people don't want to talk about something important because it makes them feel upset or uncomfortable.
What is grief?
What is fight, flight, freeze & surrender?
Our body's internal alarm system. It's how our brain and body reacts to scary or upsetting situations.
How long do baseball games go for?
As long as it takes to finish 9 innings -- the longest game recorded being 8 hours long
Can you tell by looking at a kid that they've been through something traumatic?
No -- it's impossible to look at someone and know what they have gone through in their life. You have to talk to them to find out, and only if they want to share their story.
True or False: If you never talk about the bad thing that happened, it will go away and you will forget about it.
False: It's important to not avoid talking about the upsetting event because ignoring the memories/feelings causes other problems (eg. trauma reactions)
How is deep breathing different than normal breathing?
Deep breathing: deep in the belly, long breaths, holding on the in/out
Normal breathing: shallow, in the chest, shorter/quicker
What is "soccer" called in Europe?
(hint, we have a different sport with the same name in the US)
Football
What does it mean to be triggered?
It is when something (sound, smell, look, feeling, touch) reminds you of the trauma you experience which causes you to feel upset.
True or False: Feeling like a "bad kid" or feeling mean is a common trauma reaction
True: trauma makes it more difficult for kids to control their emotions, so sometimes these kids "act out." This is normal and doesn't mean that that child is a bad kid!
Describe how you can tell you are starting to feel upset/stressed/like you're about to explode. (ex. thoughts you have, feelings in the body)
Examples:
Thinking "I hate myself" makes me start yelling
Before I get really upset, I feel my fists clenching
True or False
Basketball was played with a soccer ball until 1929
True!
Trauma makes kids think mean things about themselves. What's a mean thought you used to have about yourself? What's a happier though you can have about yourself instead?
ex. I am a bad kid --> I have tough times, but I'm a good kid
Nobody wants me --> I have people who love me
I am not good enough --> I am loved just the way I am
Name three ways that you can help your self feel better when you've been reminded of something bad that happened in the past.
Examples include: taking a shower, talking to a loved one, writing, drawing, playing with lego, shooting hoops, sports, dance party, etc.
Walk the group through a "supersuit" (progressive muscle relaxation)
feet, legs, core, arms, shoulder, face