Fight, Flight, Freeze
Aahhh!! You are in the woods and see a bear. You run as fast as you can to your cabin and slam the door shut!
This is FLIGHT!
I didn't earn choice break. My whole day is ruined!!!
That's ok - I can get back on track and earn it next time.
True or False - Our lizard brain keeps us safe.
True - it helps us sense danger and responds to keep us safe.
You are about to read your poem to the class and your mind goes blank and you can't remember it.
This is FREEZE!
That's not fair! I never get picked first!!
I can be flexible. I got to go first last time we played.
True or False - Lizards have a "smart brain".
False - they only have lizard brain and can only react to things.
Someone takes the toy you are playing with right out of your hand. You immediately push them down.
This is too hard! I can't do it.
This seems tricky, but I am going to try my best.
True or False - Our smart brain helps us problem solve.
True - Our smart brain is in charge of problem solving and thinking.
The smoke detector in your house goes off. You run outside.
This is FLIGHT!
I am so stupid. I'll never figure this out.
This is hard. I'm going to ask for help.
True or False - Our lizard brain helps us learn in school.
False - We need to use our smart brain to learn.
You hear a noise in your bedroom in the middle of the night. You pull the covers up over your head and try not to make any noise.
This is FREEZE!
I didn't win the Gotcha prize. I never win!!
It's no big deal. I got picked last week. Maybe I'll win tomorrow.
True or False - Deep breathing can help us get back to our smart brain.
True - breathing or any coping tool helps us get back to our smart brain.