STOP, OPT, & GO
What are the three steps we can take to calm down?
1. STOP
2. OPT
3. GO
I make people stuck on their ideas.
Rock Brain.
This Thinkable helps us to use this type of self-talk: “Is it a good time & place to be silly?”
Dr. HumorUs.
Xavier gets stuck on asking his parents to take him to the store to get a new space toy even after his mom told him that she can't take him.
1. Which Unthinkabot does Xavier have?
2. How can Xavier use STOP-OPT-GO to calm down?
1. Rock Brain
2. Pause what he's doing; think about his coping tools; pick one coping tool to use
- Self-talk: “Will I get a chance to do this another time?” OR “What is the group’s plan now?” OR “Do I need help to pause or try something new?”
STOP, OPT, OR GO: Pause what you’re doing when you’re in the red, yellow, or blue zones.
STOP.
I make people have big reactions to tiny/small problems.
Glassman.
This Thinkable helps us to use the following strategies: Cooling cap (taking deep breaths) & Prob-u-lator (thinking about the size of our problem).
Kool Q. Cucumber.
Juno is about to turn in her homework assignment to her teacher when Juno accidentally torn the corner of her assignment. Juno got so upset that she ended up tearing up her entire assignment.
1. Which Unthinkabot does Juno have?
2. How can Juno use STOP-OPT-GO to calm down?
1. Glassman
2. Pause what she's doing; think about her coping tools; pick one coping tool to use
- Take deep breaths
- Think about the size of the problem
- Tighten & relax her muscles
- Self-talk (e.g., "It's okay, accidents help!")
STOP, OPT, & GO: Use the best coping tool to use to go back to the green zone.
GO.
I make people miss signs on when it’s time to be silly or serious.
WasFunnyOnce.
This Thinkable helps us to use this type of self-talk: “Do I need help to pause or try something new?”
T-Flex.
Juno is making plans with her friends when all of her friends decide that they want to go to the movies. Juno, however, gets stuck on wanting to go shopping.
1. Which Unthinkabot does Juno have?
2. How can Juno use STOP-OPT-GO to calm down?
1. Rock Brain
2. Pause what she's doing; think about her coping tools; pick one coping tool to use
- Self-talk: “Will I get a chance to do this another time?” OR “What is the group’s plan now?” OR “Do I need help to pause or try something new?”
STOP, OPT, OR GO: Think about which coping tools to use in order to calm down.
OPT.
I make people forget that too much silliness can get old & boring & not be funny at all.
WasFunnyOnce.
This Thinkable helps us to use the following strategy: One-and-Done Rule.
Dr. HumorUs.
Xavier is playing a board game with his younger brothers when they decided to mess around. Xavier threw the board game to the ground & stormed off to his bedroom.
1. Which Unthinkabot does Xavier have?
2. How can Xavier use STOP-OPT-GO to calm down?
1. Glassman
2. Pause what he's doing; think about his coping tools; pick one coping tool to use
- Take deep breaths
- Think about the size of the problem
- Tighten & relax his muscles
- Self-talk (e.g., "It's okay, accidents help!")
What can we do if the coping skill we use during “GO” doesn’t help us calm down?
Use another coping skill.
I make people think that EVERYTHING is unfair.
Glassman.
This Thinkable helps us to use the following strategies: Tightening & relaxing our muscles & self-talk.
Kool Q. Cucumber.
Xavier's parents tell Xavier that it's time to eat his medicine. Xavier, however, keeps goofing around, even when his parents asked him to stop.
1. Which Unthinkabot does Xavier have?
2. How can Xavier use STOP-OPT-GO to calm down?
1. WasFunnyOnce
2. Pause what he's doing; think about his coping tools; pick one coping tool to use
- Self-talk: "Is now a silly or serious time?"
- One & Done Rule