It's almost the end of the year. And I, for one, feel like the train has picked up speed exponentially and I can't find the brakes. As I try to locate the emergency stop, here's another feelings activity we have been working on...
Do you ever get STUCK in a feeling or situation? Do you ever feel like, while you're stuck, the feeling or situation just keeps getting bigger? Well then, you might have some things in common with Floyd. Floyd's kite becomes stuck in a tree, and he tries a lot of different ways to get his kite un-stuck...including an orangutang, a rhinoceros, a light house, the house across the street, and even the kitchen sink. Soon, Floyd forgets about his kite and is distracted by all these other "things" stuck in the tree. Eventually, Floyd's kite returns!
The Cookie Monster kiddos thought this book by Oliver Jeffers was riotously silly, which it is...but it also provided a good discussion about places WE get stuck. Our group of 3rd graders frequently shut down in their classrooms when they feel overwhelmed. This book and activity gave them the power to express times when they feel stuck and process through some coping skills. Instead of allowing our tree to get full, the 3rd graders decided practicing deep breathing, using words instead of actions to express feelings, and taking a short break before feeling totally overwhelmed were great ways to avoid becoming stuck.
If you haven't discovered the greatness of Oliver Jeffers, you should definitely begin with STUCK. It's quite silly, but can be utilized to relate several therapeutic interventions. Some other great titles by Oliver Jeffers include: The Heart in the Bottle (a must for grief and loss), Lost and Found & Up and Down (friendship), and The Way Back Home (friendship).
Kristina
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