Flexible Thinking
What is flexible thinking?
Being able to change the way you think about something.
What emotions are considered the yellow zone?
Name 3 coping skills you can use to get into the green zone in the classroom.
Take a break, take a walk, have a snack, breathing, calm down corner, fidgets, brain break, listen to music, talk to a friend (if available), talk to your teacher, mindfulness, meditation
Name 2 qualities of a good friend.
Trustworthy, funny, nice, kind, helpful, honest, loyal, smart...
When is it important to be flexible?
When situations change.
When something unexpected happens.
When we don't get to do something we want to do.
When we have to be patient.
What is one clue that you are starting to feel frustrated?
Hot body, can't think clearly, frowning, yelling, shaking, crying
What coping skill do you use most often?
ANY COPING SKILL
How do you know that someone is your friend?
They treat you with kindness
They like to play with you
They do NOT make fun of you or laugh at you
They sit next to you at lunch or for group work
You hang out with them outside of school
John can't wait to go on his 2nd grade field trip. The day of the trip, it rains! The trip is rescheduled for next week. John is upset. Tell how John can use flexible thinking to feel better.
John can remind himself that he will still get to go on the field trip, just next week. John understands that sometimes unexpected things happen that change our plans.
True or False- When we are feeling very angry, this is a good time to be interacting with classmates.
FALSE
When you are frustrated about a change in plans, what coping skill could help you calm down?
ANY COPING SKILL
At recess, Greg likes to play basketball. He tries to play basketball with a group of four boys that always play. When Greg comes over, the boys tell him they don't want him to play and laugh when he tries to shoot a basket. Are these Greg's friends?
NO
Why is it important to be flexible?
So we can stay in the green zone no matter what happens!
What should we do if we are starting to feel too overwhelmed to be in the classroom?
Ask your teacher for a break!
Do you think adults use coping skills? Why or why not?
Yes! Adults feel frustrated, sad, and mad just like kids do. A lot of times, adults have practiced their coping skills for many years and are pros, so you may not even notice when adults are using them!
What is one way to make a new a friend?
Ask them to play with you
Make a joke
Sit next to them at lunch
Give them a compliment
Help them with their work