Positive Coping Skills

Today we discussed the Big Question: What are positive and negative coping skills? We talked about how our bodies feel when we are frustrated or overwhelmed. As a class, we created a mind map of some of the things that might happen in our day which could make us feel frustrated or want to give up.

Then, we looked at our mind maps and came up with a list of positive coping strategies that can help us overcome these feelings and be more resilient. Some of these strategies included:

• Taking deep breaths or counting to ten
• Talking to a friend or adult about how we feel
• Taking a short break from a tricky task
• Using kind self-talk, like saying “I can do this”
• Drawing, writing, or doing something creative
• Moving our body through exercise or stretching

These strategies can help us stay calm, think clearly, and keep trying even when things feel difficult.