Coping Strats
You lose a game during free time and start to feel upset.
Question: Name one coping strategy you could use.
Answer examples: Deep breathing, positive self-talk, ask for a break, count to 10.
Someone looks at their watch while you're talking.
Question: What might this mean?
Answer: They may need to leave or the conversation may be ending.
You accidentally drop your pencil.
Question: Should your reaction be small, medium, or big?
Answer: Small.
Someone says,
"I went camping this weekend."
Question: Ask one follow-up question.
Answer examples:
Clue: You receive a friend request from someone you don't know who says they go to your school. What should you do?
Answer: Ignore or decline the request and tell a trusted adult if you're unsure.
Your teacher says you need to fix three mistakes on your work. You feel frustrated.
Question: What could you do instead of giving up?
Answer examples: Take a deep breath, ask for help, tell yourself "I can do this."
The person says,
"I have to go in a minute."
Question: What should you do?
Answer: Finish the conversation or say goodbye.
Your favorite baseball team loses one game.
Question: What would be an appropriate-sized response?
Answer examples: "That's disappointing." "Maybe they'll win next time."
Someone says,
"I got a new puppy."
Question: Ask a follow-up question.
Answer examples:
Clue: Someone online asks for your home address so they can send you a gift. What is the safest response?
Answer: Do not share your address. Tell a trusted adult.
Your friend wants to play a different game than you wanted.
Question: What coping strategy could help you stay calm?
Answer examples: Flexible thinking, compromise, self-talk.
You notice someone keeps looking around the room instead of at you.
Question: Should you keep talking about the same topic?
Answer: No. Change the topic or end the conversation.
Someone accidentally cuts in front of you in line.
Question: What is a calm thing to say?
Answer examples: "Excuse me, I think I was next."
Someone says,
"I like drawing."
Question: Ask one follow-up question before talking about yourself.
Answer examples:
Clue: A pop-up says, "You won a free phone! Click here now!" What should you do?
Answer: Do not click it. Close the pop-up and tell an adult.
Someone accidentally bumps into you in the hallway.
Question: What is a good coping strategy before reacting?
Answer examples: Pause, breathe, think before speaking.
You ask someone about Pokémon. They answer with only one word and don't ask anything back.
Question: What is a good choice?
Answer: Change the topic, ask about something else, or politely end the conversation.
Your teacher says,
"Please lower your voice."
Question: What is the best response?
Answer: "Okay." Then lower your voice.
Someone says,
"I'm nervous about my math test."
Question: What is a good follow-up question?
Answer examples:
Clue: Someone in an online game starts asking how old you are, where you live, and what school you attend. What should you do?
Answer: Do not answer. Stop responding, block/report if possible, and tell a trusted adult.
You have been waiting a long time for your turn.
Question: Name TWO coping strategies you could use while waiting.
Answer examples: Deep breathing, positive self-talk, think about something fun, ask how much longer.
Someone says,
"Well...I should probably get back to work."
Question: What should you say?
Answer examples: "Okay, nice talking to you!" "See you later!"
Your friend accidentally forgets your birthday.
Question: What would be an appropriate emotional response?
Answer: Feel disappointed, but stay calm and talk about it respectfully.
Someone says,
"I'm going to Hawaii this summer."
Question: Ask TWO follow-up questions before talking about yourself.
Answer examples:
Clue: You accidentally click on a strange website and it asks you to download a file. What is the safest choice?
Answer: Do not download it. Close the website and tell a trusted adult.