Cognitive Distortions for Kids

Name That ANT

100

My brother is ALWAYS stealing my stuff!

All of Nothing

200

My friend looked at me and whispered something to the person next to them. They must be talking about me. 

Mind reading

300

If I don't win this football game, I will never make the team!

Jumping to conclusion or Catastrophizing

400

Why do bad things always happen to me?

All or nothing and Catastrophizing

500

I won't be able to make friends in my new school. 

Jumping to conclusions (or Fortune Telling)

Give an Example of this ANT

100

All or Nothing

An example would be something that is black or white

200

Mind Reading

An example would be assuming what someone is thinking

300

Jumping to Conclusions

An example would be fortune telling

400

Catastrophizing

An example would be assuming the worst will happen

500

Try to come up with another example of an ANT!

Some examples could be: Blaming, Avoidance, Minimizing, or Excuse Making

Facts from the Video

100

What are the 4 most common ANTS?

All of Nothing, Mind Reading, Jumping to Conclusions, and Catastrophizing

200

What is an ANT?

An Automatic Negative Thought

300

What do ANTS do?

Sneak into your mind and make you feel bad

400

What are the 3 steps to stopping an ANT?

Catch, Check, Change

500

What is another phrase for ANTS?

Cognitive Distortions

Name That Bug Spray

100

You notice that you had the thought, "I will never be good enough."

Catch

200

You ask yourself, "Is this thought true? Is it helpful?"

Check

300

You tell yourself, "Even if I didn't get the grade I wanted in this class doesn't mean I am bad at school."

Change

400

You notice you had the thought, "I will never be able to change."

Catch

500

You tell yourself, "Even professional athletes made mistakes from time to time, so it is okay if I make them too."

Change

Change Those Thoughts!

100

I have to be perfect. 

Something like: It is okay for me to make mistakes because they help me learn. 

200

Nobody will love me after I embarrassed myself like that. 

Something like: I am a good person that deserves to be loved, even if I made a mistake. 

300

My friend must think I'm weird.

Something like: If they do think I'm weird, then they may not be the kind of friend I want. 

400

It's too late for me to get into college. 

Something like: Even if college is not in my future, there are so many other things I will be able to accomplish with my life. 

500

I always mess up. 

Something like: There are times when I do not mess up that I should try to remember.