- When I am frustrated with trying to get a web site or web page to work I can reach out to a friend or a trusted adult to help me think of other ideas to try.
- When I am missing a friend, I can call my friend, send an email or text message, or mail them a funny card
- When I am asked to read for 20 minutes, I can remember that I get to choose the book, and this is my chance to read something I got to pick.
- If reading to myself sounds too boring, I can read to someone else like my younger brother or sister, my dog or cat, or even a stuffed animal.
- When I am asked to clean my room, I can choose where to start, and maybe when I am done, I will have found some things that I have been looking for
- When trying new things feels hard, I can think about all the things that I have learned that were hard at first and now seem like they are SO easy, then be brave and try the new thing, telling myself that one day that will be SO easy, too.
- When my brain is stuck on thoughts that make me mad, sad, or scared I can choose to think thoughts that make me happy like fun things I have done or will be doing with my family when I am finished with my work, things that I am grateful for, or something I could do to cheer up or help someone else.
- When I don't want to get out of my pajamas, I can choose to wear something else that is comfy or even wacky to wear, OR something that someone special gave me, OR something that makes me feel special, OR my favorite outfit. So many choices. Now what will I wear?
- When my internet connection or a webpage is not cooperating with me, I can take a break and do something for a while that I don't need the computer for like reading a book, doing a chore, taking a movement break, or going outside.
- When I am getting frustrated with what my sibling(s) are doing, I can take a break in another room (maybe put on some head phones and listen to my music, write about my feelings in a journal, do a chore that is heavy work) OR I could go outside and take a short walk. I can tell myself that everyone has their moments of unexpected behaviors, but they also have their moments of making good choices. Sometimes we just need to take a break from each other to get back to those good choices.
- Calm frustration right in your seat by using push, pull, dangle. First: put your arms on either side of your chair, take a deep breath in, when you breathe out push down on the chair as hard as you can. Stop and take another deep breath in, when you breathe out, pull up on the chair as hard as you can. Stop and take another deep breath in, when you breathe out let your arms, legs. and even your whole body just dangle. Does that feel better?
- When I am feeling too sad or worried to do anything, I can change my self-talk by telling myself all the things I have to be grateful for (if you have a gratitude jar or list that might help). Grateful thoughts often bring with them feelings of love and joy.
- When I make mistakes or something feels just too hard, I can remember that some of the greatest inventors, writers, artists and musicians made lots of mistakes which helped them to learn and make great contributions to our world.
- When everything is distracting me when I am trying to work, I can try moving to a quieter spot or use headphones. I can choose a different spot where there are not so many of my favorite things around me. I can take some of the toys, building blocks, or stuffies around me and put them away in my rbedroom or playroom. For older students: I can turn off my cell phone or re-charge it while I am working on school assignments.
- When I discover that the after school activities I wanted to access or the ones that are my favorites are not available, I can explore opportunities to try something new for an adventure or choose one of the other activities I enjoy.