Feelings
How might most people feel if...
They lost a friend/family member/pet in an accident?
Sad, Depressed, Grieving, Lost
Alternatively,
Angry, Afraid, Confused
Your sibling or a someone close to you shoves you on purpose.
You respond by shoving back harder to prove that you will not be pushed around.
Is this the best choice?
No. This choice can lead to further physical violence and someone could get very hurt. There are other ways to set boundaries.
What would be a better choice?
Tell about a time:
when you were very surprised!
Answer:
How else were you feeling (happy, scared, annoyed, embarrassed) and why?
Show your skills!
Deep Breathing (belly breaths, triangle breathing, etc.)
Breathing in through the nose, out through the mouth.
Tell about how this helps our bodies, or ask someone if necessary.
What is your favorite color?
Answer:
Can you choose just one? Was it always your favorite?
How might most people feel if...
They were given a genuine apology?
Happy, Relieved, Proud, Forgiving
Alternatively
Still hurt, angry, or uncaring
You accidentally break your relatives favorite coffee cup.
You know they will be upset so you leave the scene and deny breaking it.
Is this the best choice?
No. The broken glass can hurt someone if it is not picked up. Also you can lose someone's trust for lying.
The best choice would be to admit to the mistake and ask for help with making the area safe again. Also, apologize and ask how you can help to make it right.
Tell about a time:
when someone broke your trust.
Answer:
Did they ever work to earn it back? How did they? Or how could they have?
Show your skills!
The 5 Senses Grounding technique
Name:
5 things you see, 4 things you feel, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell, and 1 thing you can taste.
If you could chose to eat any meal, what would it be?
Answer:
Could you eat this every day?
How might most people feel if...
They were given a special gift?
Excited, Happy, Thankful, Surprised
You and a friend disagree about an important topic.
You share your point of view and listen to theirs and eventually agree to disagree.
Is this a bad choice?
No. Everyone has their own opinions and perspectives. We need to be respectful in listening to and sharing our point of view. It is okay to disagree, as long as it is done respectfully (no name calling, bad mouthing, etc.)
Tell about a time:
When you made a positive choice that was difficult.
Answer:
Are you glad you made this choice? What could have happened if you decided to make the wrong choice?
Show your skills!
Talk about your favorite songs to listen to, or musical instruments to play. How can music help us to feel better?
OR: Get your body moving. Create a 1 minute exercise routine.
Answer:
Does one song/type of music help us feel better for each emotion?
Alternative:
How can moving our bodies help us?
What is your favorite game to play?
Answer:
Is it a board game? Does it involve moving your body? Who would you like to play it with the most?
How might most people feel if...
They were bullied?
Scared, Angry, Embarrassed, Hurt, Disappointed, Low Self-Worth
Your sibling/friend breaks something in the house.
You take the blame for it so they do not get in more trouble. They are very thankful.
Is this a positive choice?
No. It's important to care about others and help them in times of need, but taking responsibility for something someone else did can cause feelings of resentment and they may not learn from their mistake.
What would be a better choice?
Tell about a time:
When you laughed so hard!
Answer:
Who was there? Was everyone else also laughing? If not, who and why?
Show your skills!
Talk about, or show, a preferred activity that can help you to feel better.
Answer:
This may be a hobby, spending time with certain people or animals, creating art, etc.
Show a dance move!
It can be wacky, silly, serious, fun, etc.
How might most people feel if...
They hurt someone else physically/emotionally?
Powerful, Strong, In control of people or things
Alternatively
Disappointed in self, Unlovable, like a "bad" person, Cruel, Alone, Afraid, Weak, Out of control,
You see a woman at the store drop a 5 dollar bill.
She doesn't notice and doesn't seem to need it. You give it to your friend/family who is struggling with money problems.
Is this a positive choice?
No. It is kind to think about helping your friend/family, but this is dishonest. A better choice would be to give the money back to the woman. You never know, she may even reward you! Either way you can feel proud that you've made a positive choice.
Tell about a time:
When you lost someone very special to you.
Answer:
How did you feel? What can help you to deal with it?
Show your skills!
Show or tell about your "safe space". Is this a physical place or a place you can create in your mind?
Answer:
Where or with who do you usually feel the safest?
Think of 5 words that rhyme with:
"Start"
Answer:
"Smart, Art, Heart, Cart, Dart, Chart, Mart, Part, Quart, Tart, Fart..."