Body Language
You see another student with their head down, shuffling their feet, and spending time alone at recess. What is their body language telling you about how they might be feeling?
They feel, sad, alone, upset, or in the blue zone.
Your friend likes to call other people mean names for fun. They say, "It's just a joke. It's not a big deal. " You aren't so sure... Is this a healthy or unhealthy friend?
Unhealthy.
Bob wants to try out for the soccer team. You know he isn't the best at sports, and that he needs more practice. You don't want to see him upset if he doesn't make the team. You think about telling him that he might not want to try out. But you aren't sure. What should you do?
Be supportive of your friend. If he doesn't make the team, you can be a good friend by being there for him. If he does make the team, you can celebrate with him. After all, he might make it!
Another work for HAPPY is?
Joyful, Excited, Calm, Content, Confident, Cheerful, etc.
True or False: Adolescents experience what is called a social reorientation where they spend more time with their friends than their parents.
True
Someone is glaring at you from across the room with their arms crossed. How might they be feeling?
They feel annoyed, angry, frustrated, in the red zone.
Unhealthy
Your friend is upset and wants to talk to you about something that is bothering them. They ask if you can meet at your house after school to talk and you agree. Later, your friend is waiting outside your house, but you fell asleep and totally forgot to talk to them.
You can tell them you are sorry that your fell asleep, and ask when they would like to talk another time.
Another word for ANGRY is?
Out of control, outraged, furious, irate, etc.
True or False: The drive to spend more time with friends is from the reward center of the brain.
True
You see someone with really red cheeks, shaking hands, and tapping their toe on the ground really fast. How might they be feeling?
They are feeling nervous, anxious, scared, embarrassed, or in the yellow zone.
You go to a sleepover at a friends house. Your parents told you not to have soda because it hurts your stomach. Your friend later offers you soda and you tell them, "No thanks. It hurts my stomach." They say, "Oh, ok" and offer you a different drink instead. Are they a healthy or unhealthy friend?
Healthy
You used to be really good friends with Jane, then Jane started hanging out with other kids all the time. These kids were not healthy friends. They were always in trouble, and not kind to others. You notice that Jane is acting different now and you know she isn't acting herself. She is starting to act like these kids she is now hanging out with. What should you do?
1. You can let Jane go and be friends with other people. You can't control the choices she makes.
2. You can go to Jane and tell her you notice how she is acting. You could tell her that you miss hanging out with her.
Name examples of the Blue Zone besides sad:
- Tired
- Bored
- Sleepy
- Sick
- Moving slow
What is synchrony?
When people are in synch with one another. Sometimes this happens without them even realizing it.
Your teacher is rubbing her forehead, squinting their eyes, and keeping the lights dim. How might she be feeling?
She might be feeling sick with a headache, tired, or in the blue zone.
You have been feeling kind of upset lately because of some things going on at home. Your friend asks you if you are ok, and so you tell them. They are concerned about you and tell you to talk to an adult. You don't want to.
A couple of weeks go by and you are still struggling. You have stopped trying as hard on your school work, you are not really talking to your friends, and you aren't acting yourself. Your friend tells a trusted adult about how you have been acting. Are they a healthy or unhealthy friend?
Healthy
You are on social media and you are invited to a group chat. The name of the chat is making fun of another student in class. The kids are messaging about that student and being really unkind. You consider telling an adult, but you don't want to be uncool telling on others. But you aren't sure. What should you do?
Always tell an adult if you see bullying or unkind things online about others. You never know who is able to see what is posted online. Cyber bullying is a serious issue.
Name 3 examples of yellow zone feelings:
- Excited
- Anxious
- Losing a little control
- Fast and wiggly
- Nervous
- Embarrassed
- Jittery
When do we start to mimic and imitate others around us, synchronizing our behaviors, emotions, and movements?
A) when we are teenagers
B) when we are infants
C) when our brains are fully developed in adulthood
B) When we are infants. We have our first imitations with those around us when we are babies. This carries on throughout our life, and happens with our friendships.
You notice a couple of people talking about something in a parking lot. They are shouting, moving their hands around a lot, and talking over each other. You then see one of them crying while they are talking. How do you think they are feeling?
They feel mad, angry, out of control, in the red zone.
You are really excited because you get to go to a special sports camp this summer. You tell your friend about it and they get really quiet. You start telling them about all the fun things you will get to do. You are so excited because sports are one of your passions. They quickly change the subject and start talking about something else. Are they a healthy or unhealthy friend?
Unhealthy
Your teacher sends you and another student back to their classroom to get her walkie talkie for recess. When you go inside, the other student takes candy from another student's desk and eats it. They tell you not to say anything. Later that day, you see another student getting in trouble for stealing that candy, but you know they aren't guilty because you know who really took it. But you don't want to tell on them. What should you do?
Name 3 coping strategies to help calm down when you are in the Yellow Zone:
- Breathing
- Drawing
- Counting
- Go for a walk
- Talk to someone
What is theory of mind?
The ability to understand one's thoughts, emotions, motivations, and points of view. This is fully developed well into teen years and beyond.