You are helping to decorate for a holiday meal. While you are setting the table, you accidentally knock over one of the candles. It hits the tablecloth and catches fire.
What is the size of the problem?
This is a BIG problem
You are opening holiday gifts with your family. While you are opening the wrapping paper, you get a paper cut on your finger. You say, "Ouch!" and ask your family member where the band aids are. You get a band aid and return to the party.
What is the size of the reaction?
Yes! This is a SMALL problem (something you can fix on your own), and a SMALL reaction.
You open a holiday gift from your Aunt Judith. The gift is not something that you asked for, and you don't really like it. Aunt Judith was really excited for you to open it, and thought the gift would be something you would like. What can you say in that moment so that you don't hurt Aunt Judith's feelings?
Example: Smile and say "Thank you for thinking of me and getting me a gift!"
You are opening holiday gifts with your siblings. You realize that you have accidentally opened a gift that belongs to your sibling! What can you do in this moment?
"I'm sorry, it looks like I opened one of your gifts. It was a mistake. Here you go, it looks really fun!"
The Yellow Zone!
You and your siblings are helping to decorate the Christmas tree. You have a perfect spot for your next ornament. Before you can get there, your sibling places an ornament on that very same branch.
What is the size of the problem?
This is a SMALL problem
You have just gotten home for the Holiday break and can't wait to spend some time relaxing. You have had a long day, and you are really tired. As soon as you sit down on the couch with your art supplies or your video games, your family member comes into the room and says "Oh good! I'm glad you're here. We need to head out to the mall to buy some gifts for your cousins." You are really disappointed. You really wanted to relax and now you have to go to the crowded shopping mall. You throw yourself onto the floor and refuse to move until you are allowed to stay home.
What size is this reaction?
This is a BIG reaction
What can you do instead?
You are at a holiday party with your parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. You notice that your little cousin is by himself, and doesn't seem to be playing with the rest of the kids. What can you do to help him feel better?
Offer to play with him
Offer to sit with him
Ask him what's wrong
Talk to him
During the holidays, we might spend time with family members that we have not seen in a long time. Name two things that you can talk about with a family member.
(HINT: What you are doing in school, your hobbies, your favorite movie)
"I just started playing a new video game, it's really cool!"
"I'm doing some cool new stuff in school, let me tell you about it"
"Last weekend we went to the _______, it was really fun"
Share with the class your favorite holiday candy or holiday treat?
Candy Canes
Chocolate coins
Hot Cocoa
The break feels like it's stretching on FOREVER and you just can't wait to get back to school. You find yourself feeling really bored.
What is the size of the problem?
This is a SMALL problem
You are opening holiday gifts with your family. While you are opening the wrapping paper, you get a paper cut on your finger. You start screaming "Oh no! My finger! It's going to fall off!" and waving your hand in the air. Everyone around you looks scared and uncomfortable
What size is this reaction?
No! This reaction does NOT fit the size of the problem.
This is a SMALL problem, and a BIG reaction
You are at a family holiday party and the room is full of people. It's very noisy, and the noise is starting to bother you, and you start to feel nervous and upset. What can you do in this moment to help yourself feel better?
Ask for help
Take a break outside or in the bathroom
Go somewhere quiet for a few minutes
Take deep breaths
Your mom is setting out the holiday gifts for you and your cousins, and she is trying to carry all of them in a big stack up the stairs. It looks like she is having a hard time. What can you offer to do?
"Here! Let me help you with those Mom!"
The Green Zone!
You ordered a gift online for your grandmother. When you take it out of the box you realize that it's broken. Oh no! You need to return it in time for the Holidays.
What is the size of the problem?
This is a MEDIUM problem.
You just got a new video game as a holiday gift. You are trying to set it up on your system, and you can't seem to get it to work. You are worried that there might be something wrong with your video game system, and are starting to feel really frustrated. You ask your older brother for help. He says "Sure! I can definitely help you. I know it's frustrating when this happens, let's work on it together"
What is the size of the reaction?
This is a MEDIUM size reaction.
You felt frustrated when the game was broken, and asked for help.
During your holiday party, you are making Gingerbread Houses with your cousins. You have been working really hard on yours, and it looks great! You turn and see your little cousin, and how his Gingerbread House is going. He seems to be really struggling, and looks like he might start to cry. What can you do to help?
Offer to help him
Give him some encouragement
Help him practice a coping skill
During the holidays, we spend a lot of time with family. What are some ways that you can take time and space for yourself to take a break when you need to?
Go outside for a few minutes
Take a break in your room
Spend time doing a quiet activity
Share with the class your favorite Holiday Movie!
Elf
The Polar Express
The Santa Clause
Home Alone
It's the holidays, and after all the parties and get togethers where we share gifts and food, there are always a lot of germs getting shared too! You notice that you are feeling a scratchy throat, and your stomach is bothering you.
What size is the problem?
This is a MEDIUM sized problem.
You are doing some holiday shopping at the mall with your family. You notice that you start to smell smoke. The fire alarm in the mall begins to go off and lets you know it's an emergency. You evacuate the building with your family.
What is the size of the reaction?
This is a BIG problem. Evacuating the building helps keep everyone safe. Evacuating is a big reaction.
You are at a holiday party with family, and after dinner everyone wants to watch a movie together. Your older cousins want to watch a scary movie, and your little cousins want to watch a holiday moving. No one can seem to agree! What can you do to help in this situation?
Ask an adult for help!
Suggest a movie that everyone will like!
Suggest breaking off into two separate groups to watch different movies.
Encourage your cousins to compromise
You are really excited when it's time for dessert after the holiday meal. Your Aunt Mary makes your favorite type of cookies. When she brings out the tray of them, you take six or seven of them all at once. You turn and see some of your cousins looking disappointed. What can you do in this moment?
Share some cookies with your cousins!
What is your favorite thing to do during a snow day?
Share with the class!
Play outside
Watch Movies
Play board games
Make Cookies
Eat Cookies
Drink Hot Cocoa