Safety
You and your Mom are walking, and you see your favorite store across the street. Your Mom is still talking to someone and hasn’t said it’s time to cross yet.
What should you do?
Safe Responses:
Wait for Mom, stop at the curb, don't cross alone
Someone asks you a question, but you are not sure of the answer right away.
Question:
Which is the best thing you could say?
Options:
A: I don't know
B: I need time to think
C: Stay silent
Correct Answer:
I need a moment to think.
Reason:
This is the best option because it lets the person know you are still thinking and trying. It gives your brain time to find the answer instead of stopping the conversation.
Someone asks you a question, and you are not sure of the answer right away.
Question:
How do you think you might feel in that situation?
Examples:
Nervous, unsure, shy, anxious
Someone asks you a question and your mind feels blank.
Question:
Which coping strategy could help you in that moment?
Options:
A. Take one slow breath in through your nose and out through your mouth
B. Say nothing
C. Say “I don’t know”
Correct Answer:
Take one slow breath in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Reason:
Slow breathing helps calm your nervous system so your brain can think more clearly.
You are at school and another student tells you to climb on top of a table to grab something because it will be faster.
What should you do?
Safe Responses:
Don't climb on the table, Say no, Ask an adult for help
Someone asks you a question, but you didn’t hear it clearly.
Question:
Which is the best thing you could say?
Options:
A. I don’t know.
B. Can you repeat the question?”
C. Look away and say nothing
Correct Answer:
Can you repeat the question?
Reason:
This is the best option because it helps you get the information you missed. When you hear the question again, you may be able to answer.
You are about to meet a new person for the first time.
Question:
How do you think you might feel when meeting someone new?
Examples:
Nervous, shy, anxious, curious
You are working on something and it isn’t going the way you want, and you start to feel frustrated.
Question:
Which strategy could help you in that moment?
Options:
A. Pause and take two slow breaths before trying again
B. Give up immediately
C. Push the materials away
Correct Answer:
Pause and take two slow breaths before trying again.
Reason:
Pausing and breathing helps your body calm down so you can try again with a clearer mind.
You are home and see a pan on the stove. You are not sure if it is hot, and no adult is in the kitchen.
What should you do?
Safe Response:
Do not touch it, Ask an adult first
Someone explains something, but you don’t understand yet.
Question:
Which is the best thing you could say?
Options:
A. I don’t know.
B. Can you help me understand?”
C. Stay quiet
Correct Answer:
Can you help me understand?
Reason:
This is the best option because it tells the person you want help. They can explain it in a different way so you can understand.
You need help with something, and you are thinking about asking someone for help.
Question:
How do you think you might feel before asking for help?
Examples:
Nervous, unsure, a little uncomfortable, hopeful
You are talking with someone and they disagree with you, and you start to feel angry.
Question:
Which strategy could help you stay in control?
Options:
A. Relax your hands and take a slow breath
B. Raise your voice
C. Stop listening completely
Correct Answer:
Relax your hands and take a slow breath.
Reason:
Relaxing your body helps reduce anger so you can stay calm and think clearly.
You are at the park and someone you do not know asks you to come help them find their dog.
What should you do?
Safe Response:
Do not go with them, Stay where you are, Tell a trusted adult
Someone asks you a question and you feel nervous.
Question:
Which is the best thing you could say?
Options:
A. I don’t know.
B. I feel nervous. Can I have a moment?
C. Walk away
Correct Answer:
I feel nervous. Can I have a moment?
Reason:
This is the best option because it tells the person how you feel and gives you time to calm down and think.
You are about to try a new activity that you haven’t done before.
Question:
How do you think you might feel before starting the new activity?
Examples:
Nervous, excited, curious, unsure
You make a mistake and start to feel sad.
Question:
Which strategy could help you feel better?
Options:
A. Tell yourself, “It’s okay to make mistakes. I can try again.”
B. Stop trying completely
C. Ignore everyone around you
Tell yourself, “It’s okay to make mistakes. I can try again.”
Reason:
Kind self-talk helps your brain feel safer and makes it easier to keep going.
You see water spilled on the floor and people are walking nearby.
What should you do?
Safe Response:
Walk carefully, Avoid the area, Tell an adult
Someone asks you a question, but you are not sure what they mean.
Question:
Which is the best thing you could say?
Options:
A. I don’t know.
B. Can you explain that another way?
C. Stay silent
Correct Answer:
Can you explain that another way?
Reason:
This is the best option because it helps you get clearer information so you can answer.
You worked hard on something and finished it.
Question:
How do you think you might feel after finishing it?
Examples:
Proud, happy, relieved, excited
You were expecting one activity, but the plan changes suddenly.
Question:
Which strategy could help you regulate your emotions?
Options:
A. Pause and take a slow breath to reset
B. Shut down and refuse to continue
C. Immediately leave the situation
Pause and take a slow breath to reset.
Reason:
Pausing helps your nervous system adjust so you can handle the change more calmly.