School
Vrunda forgot to bring her pencil to math class. She feels embarrassed and starts to panic.
What is the size of the problem?
Problem size: Small — forgetting a pencil is easy to fix.
Lily’s friend forgot to say hi at recess. Lily feels hurt and wants to yell.
What should the size of Lily's reaction be?
Reaction size: Small — she can say hi later or ask kindly.
Your sibling takes your spot on the couch during a movie.
What is the size of the problem?
What can you do to solve the problem?
Problem size: Small.
Solution: Ask nicely or choose another spot.
The Wi-Fi is slow and your video won’t load.
What should the size of your reaction be?
Reaction size: Small — wait calmly or refresh the page.
You forgot your lunch at home. What is the size of the problem.
Problem size: Medium
Samantha spilled her water bottle on her desk, getting her homework wet. She starts to cry loudly.
What can you do to solve the problem?
Problem size: Small — the water spill can be cleaned, homework might be dried or redone.
Reaction size: Small — instead of crying loudly, calmly clean up.
Solution: Ask for paper towels, explain to teacher, redo if needed.
Max was left out of a group game at lunch. He feels upset and wants to throw his lunchbox.
What can you do to solve the problem?
Problem size: Medium — it can hurt feelings but can be solved.
Reaction size: Medium — feeling upset is normal, throwing things is too big.
Solution: Ask to join, find another group, or talk to an adult if it happens often.
You lost your allowance money you were saving for a toy.
What can you do to solve the problem?
Problem size: Medium.
Reaction size: Medium — frustration is normal but don’t scream.
Solution: Look for it calmly, ask for help searching, save again.
You accidentally deleted a homework file.
What can you do to solve the problem?
Problem size: Medium.
Reaction size: Medium — frustration normal but yelling won’t help.
Solution: Check recycle bin, redo assignment, tell teacher.
You missed the bus to school.
What can you do to solve the problem?
Problem size: Medium.
Reaction size: Medium — find a solution calmly.
Solution: Call home or school for next steps.
Jason forgot to study for his quiz tomorrow. He feels nervous and wants to shout at his friend.
What is the size of the problem?
What can you do to solve the problem?
Problem size: Medium — it can affect his grade but can still be improved with action. Reaction size: Medium — it’s okay to feel upset but yelling at someone won’t help.
Solution: Spend extra time studying tonight, ask teacher for tips or a review sheet.
Ella’s friend teased her in front of classmates. Ella wants to scream back.
What is the size of the problem?
What can you do to solve the problem?
Problem size: Medium — teasing hurts but it's not dangerous. Reaction size: Medium — respond calmly, not yelling.
Solution: Walk away, use “I” statements, tell an adult if it repeats.
Your parents forgot to pack your favorite snack in your lunch.
What should the size of your reaction be?
What can you do to solve the problem?
Problem size: Small. Reaction size: Small — disappointment okay but yelling isn’t.
Solution: Eat what’s available, ask parents later.
While playing an online game, another player starts sending you mean messages and harassing you during matches. You feel angry and want to yell back.
What is the size of the problem?
What can you do to solve the problem?
Problem size: Large — online harassment can harm your emotional well-being and break rules.Reaction size: Large feelings are understandable but you still need calm, safe action (not yelling back).
Solution: Block/report the player, save evidence, tell a trusted adult, and take a break from the game if needed.
You spilled water on your desk during art.
What is the size of the problem?
What can you do to fix the problem?
Problem size: Small.
Solution: Get paper towel and clean it up! Wait for art to dry if it got wet.
Diego was absent yesterday and missed learning a new math topic. Today there’s homework he doesn’t understand. He feels overwhelmed and wants to give up.
What is the size of the problem?
What can he do to solve the problem?
Problem size: Medium — missing a lesson is fixable but takes effort. Reaction size: Medium — it’s okay to feel stressed but not to refuse all work.
Solution: Ask teacher/classmate for help, watch a video or review notes.
Jordan finds out a false rumor about him is spreading online.
What should the size of his reaction be?
What can he do to solve the problem?
Reaction size: Large feelings are expected but staying calm helps handle it.
Solution: Tell a trusted adult, report online content, document it.
A sibling accidentally broke your favorite toy.
What is the size of the problem?
What can you do to solve the problem?
Problem size: Medium. Reaction size: Medium — sadness normal but hitting or screaming is too big.
Solution: Tell an adult, see if it can be fixed, ask sibling to help replace it.
Jordan finds out a false rumor about him is spreading online.
What is the size of the problem?
What can you do to solve the problem?
Problem size: Large — cyberbullying can harm safety and feelings. Reaction size: Large feelings but calm action — don’t fight back online.
Solution: Save evidence, block/report, tell a trusted adult
You saw someone fall and get hurt very badly. They are bleeding.
What should the size of your reaction be?
What can you do to solve the problem?
Problem size: Large — emergency. Reaction size: Large but must stay calm to help.
Solution: Get an adult immediately, call emergency if needed.
A student is caught cheating on a test and now must meet with the principal. They feel terrified and want to run away.
What is the size of the problem?
What should the size of your reaction be?
What can you do to solve the problem?
Problem size: Large — serious consequences at school.
Reaction size: Large feelings are expected but running away is too big of a reaction. A calm but serious approach works best.
Solution: Take responsibility, attend the meeting, talk with parents/teachers to make amends.
A big argument happens between friends at recess and turns physical.
What is the size of the problem?
What should the size of your reaction be?
What can you do to solve the problem?
Problem size: Large — physical fights are dangerous.
Reaction size: Large feelings okay but must act safe — get an adult right away.
Solution: Step back, go to a teacher, don’t get involved physically.
Your pet got out of the house and is missing.
What is the size of the problem?
What should the size of your reaction be?
What can you do to solve the problem?
Problem size: Large — serious safety concern.
Reaction size: Large feelings okay but must stay calm to act.
Solution: Tell adults immediately, search, call animal services.
You’ve been playing a video game for weeks. Today, the save file didn’t load and all your progress is gone. You feel furious and want to throw the controller.
What is the size of the problem?
What should the size of your reaction be?
What can you do to solve the problem?
Problem size: Medium — it feels like a big loss, but it’s not dangerous and can be fixed or replayed.
Reaction size: Medium — frustration is normal but throwing a controller is too big for the situation.
Solution: Take a break, restart the console, check cloud saves or backups, or calmly contact the game’s support if it’s a bug.
A fire alarm goes off at school.
What is the size of the problem?
What should the size of your reaction be?
What can you do to solve the problem?
Problem size: Large — safety emergency.
Reaction size: Large feelings but calm actions.
Solution: Follow teacher’s instructions, evacuate quietly and quickly.