Feeling Detective
Name 3 feelings someone might have on their first day at a new school
Nervous, excited, scared, curious, shy, overwhelmed, happy, etc.
Name one thing you can do to calm your body when you're upset.
Examples: Deep breathing, take space, get a drink of water, hug something, stretch, go outside, listen to music, use your 5 senses, talk to someone.
True or False: You can love someone AND be annoyed with them at the same time.
True. We can have more than one feeling about someone
Your friend doesn't invite you to something. What might you feel, and what could you do?
Feelings: sad, left out, angry, jealous, confused. Actions: talk to them, talk to someone you trust, take space, use a coping skill, etc.
Would you rather have a pet dinosaur or a pet dragon?
Any choice! Bonus: Why?
Hot face, tight muscles, clenched fists/jaw, fast heartbeat, shaky, stomachache, etc.
True or False: A coping skill has to make the bad feeling completely disappear to be working.
False. Coping skills can help make a feeling more manageable, even if it doesn't disappear.
What are 2 things someone could do if they need space from a family member?
Go to another room/safe space, ask for a break, do an activity alone, talk to another trusted adult, etc.
Someone says something that makes you really angry. What's one helpful choice and one unhelpful choice?
Helpful: take space, communicate, breathe, get help. Unhelpful: hit, scream at them, break something, say something purposely hurtful.
If you could eat only ONE food for a week, what would you choose?
No correct response! Bonus: Why?
Someone says "I'm fine", but gets really quiet and doesn't want to talk. Name 2 feelings they might actually be feeling
Sad, angry, embarrassed, worried, hurt, disappointed, overwhelmed, scared, shy, etc.
You're REALLY mad and want to yell at someone. Name 2 things you could do first.
Take space, breathe, count, walk away, get water, talk to a trusted adult, squeeze a pillow, etc.
Someone misses a person who isn't in their life anymore. What are 2 feelings they might have?
Sad, angry, lonely, confused, happy remembering them, worried, numb, etc. There isn't one “right” feeling.
You're having a bad day and someone keeps asking, “What's wrong?” but you don't want to talk. What could you say?
“I don't want to talk about it right now.” / “I need some space.” / “Can we talk later?”
Would you rather be able to fly or become invisible? Why?
No correct response! Bonus: Why?
Can someone feel two opposite feelings at the same time? Give an exmaple.
Yes. Example: excited AND nervous about starting something new; happy AND sad about a change.
You're sad but don't feel like talking about it. What's one way you could take care of yourself?
Examples: Draw, listen to music, cuddle a pet/stuffed animal, rest, write, watch something comforting, be near someone without talking, etc.
What could a kid do if something happening at home makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe?
Move somewhere safer and tell a trusted adult—parent/caregiver, teacher, counselor, therapist, relative, etc.
You're missing someone a LOT one day. What could you do with that feeling?
Talk about them, look at pictures, draw/write, remember something good, cry, talk to someone trusted, do something comforting, etc.
If you could instantly become amazing at one thing, what would you pick?
No correct response! To get the points- answer why?
What's the difference between feeling angry and feeling hurt? Can they happen together?
Yes. Anger may happen when something feels unfair/wrong; hurt can come from feeling rejected, disappointed, sad, or mistreated. Sometimes hurt shows up as anger.
Name 3 coping skills in 10 seconds!
Any 3 healthy coping skills. Start the timer!
Can you be angry at someone AND still care about them? Explain.
Yes. Caring about someone doesn't mean you can't be angry, hurt, disappointed, or upset with them.
You're upset but you don't even know why. What's the first thing you could do?
Pause and notice. Check what you're feeling in your body, name any feelings you can identify, take a break/use a coping skill, or ask someone for help. It's okay not to know why yet.
You get $1 million BUT you have to spend it all in 24 hours. What are you buying?
No correct response! To get the points- answer why?