Script for Emotion Discussion

Introduction (5 minutes)

"Good morning, everyone! Today we're going to talk about emotions, which are feelings we all have. Sometimes our feelings can be really big, like when we're super excited or really angry, and other times they're a bit smaller, like when we’re a little sad or calm."

"Can someone give me an example of a really big emotion they’ve felt, like excitement or anger?"

(Wait for a couple of responses. Praise students for sharing.)

Defining Big and Little Emotions (5 minutes)

"Now, let’s think together: what might make an emotion 'big' or 'little'?"

"A 'big' emotion might be one that feels overwhelming or really strong, like when you’re extremely happy or very frustrated. A 'little' emotion might be more subtle, like feeling a bit nervous or slightly annoyed."

"Does anyone have an example of when they felt a 'little' emotion that didn’t take over their day?"

(Encourage responses, clarifying differences as needed.)

Guided Reflection and Sharing (10 minutes)

"Now, I’d like you to think about an emotion you felt recently. Was it a big emotion or a little emotion?"

"Take a moment to picture that emotion and remember how it made you act or feel."

• Give students time to think and then ask: "Who would like to share what they were thinking of?"
  
  
  

(If students are shy, guide them with probing questions like, "Did you feel really angry or just a little frustrated?")

"When we understand how strong an emotion is, it can help us decide how to deal with it. Sometimes big emotions might need extra steps to feel better, and little emotions might be easier to manage."

Wrapping Up (5 minutes)

"Before we move on, let’s summarize what we learned today. Can someone tell me one big emotion and one little emotion we talked about?"

(Allow responses and provide affirmations.)

"Great job, everyone! In our next session, we’ll talk more about how we can manage these emotions with helpful strategies."

"Remember, every emotion is important, and by talking about them, we can learn more about how to take care of ourselves. Thanks for sharing and listening so well today!"

"Any questions before we finish?"

Emotion Discussion

Opening Prompt

"Think about a time you felt a really big emotion or a small emotion. What was the situation? How did you react?"

Students share their experiences and feelings.

Follow-Up Questions

1. "What are some ways you noticed your body reacting when you felt that emotion? For example, did your heart beat faster or did you feel more relaxed?"
   
   
   
2. "Can someone share a moment when a 'little' emotion helped them make a better decision or stay calm in a tricky situation?"
   
   
   
3. "What are some things you can do when a 'big' emotion starts to overwhelm you?"
   
   
   
   
   
   

Group Reflection

• "After hearing each other’s stories, what similarities do you think we share when experiencing emotions?"
  
  
  
• "How can understanding the difference between big and little emotions help us support our friends or classmates?"
  
  
  

Wrap-Up

"Today, we learned that every emotion, big or small, plays an important role in our lives. By noticing how we feel, we can choose better ways to handle our emotions. Keep thinking about how you feel and share those feelings with someone you trust!"

Emotion Activity Guide

Activity Overview

In this activity, students will explore their emotions by engaging in a creative exercise. They will express the intensity of different emotions through drawing or writing. This activity helps students reflect on their personal feelings and understand the differences between big and little emotions.

Materials Needed

• Paper or sketchbooks
• Colored pencils, markers, or crayons
• Writing utensils

Instructions

1. Introduction (5 minutes):
   • Briefly remind students about the discussion from previous sessions on identifying big and little emotions. Explain that sometimes drawing or writing can help us express what we feel in a way that words sometimes can’t.
2. Drawing/Writing Activity (15 minutes):
   • Ask students to choose an emotion they experienced recently.
   • Have them decide if it was a big emotion (very intense) or a little emotion (more subtle) and represent it on paper.
   • They can either draw a picture that shows how that emotion feels, or write a few sentences describing the emotion and what triggered it.
3. Sharing and Reflecting (10 minutes):
   • Invite students to share their creations with a partner or in small groups. Encourage them to explain if their emotion was big or small and why they chose to represent it that way.
     
     
     
   • After sharing in groups, facilitate a whole class discussion by asking:
     • "What did you notice about how you represented your emotions?"
     • "Did someone’s drawing or writing help you think of your own feelings differently?"
4. Wrap-Up:
   • Summarize the key points: Recognizing the intensity of our emotions can help us choose the right way to cope with them. Always remember that both big and little emotions are important and deserve attention.

Follow-Up Points for Teachers

• Ask students to keep their artwork or writings in a personal journal. Encourage them to add new feelings or experiences as they grow and learn more about themselves.
  
  
  
• Consider creating a class display for the artwork, if students are comfortable sharing it with the school community.
  
  
  
• Use observations from this activity to tailor future discussions about emotions and coping skills.

Happy exploring and expressing your emotions!

Emotion Game Instructions

Game Overview

This interactive game is designed to reinforce the coping strategies discussed in our lessons on big and little emotions. Students will participate in a fun, movement-based activity that encourages them to recognize emotions, choose coping strategies, and support one another in a playful environment.

Materials Needed

• A set of emotion cards or images (optional – can be teacher-prepared)
• A timer or stopwatch
• An open space for movement

Game Setup

1. Arrange students in a circle or in small groups with enough room to move.
2. Place emotion cards in a central area (if using). Alternatively, the teacher can call out emotions.

Rules and Instructions

1. Starting the Game:
   • The teacher will call out an emotion (for example, "joy," "anger," or "nervousness"). Alternatively, a student can pick an emotion card from the central pile.
2. Identify the Emotion Type:
   • Once an emotion is called out, students should quickly decide whether it represents a big emotion (intense) or a little emotion (subtle). They can move to designated areas of the room labeled for "Big Emotions" and "Little Emotions."
     
     
     
   • If using emotion cards, each student may hold a card and then decide on the classification as they walk to the appropriate zone.
3. Choosing a Coping Strategy:
   • After the emotion type has been identified, the teacher will ask, "What is one coping strategy you can use if you feel this way?"
     
     
     
   • Encourage students to shout out strategies such as deep breathing, talking to a friend, drawing, or taking a short walk. The teacher may record responses on the board.
4. Movement and Role Play (Optional):
   • To add an extra level of interactivity, invite a few volunteers to role-play a coping strategy. For instance, a student might demonstrate deep breathing or stretching.
5. Timed Rounds:
   • Keep each round to about 1-2 minutes. Use a timer to ensure the game flows quickly and everyone gets a turn.
6. Game Reflection:
   • After several rounds, gather the students to discuss the strategies tried. Ask questions such as:
     • "Which coping strategy felt the most natural to you?"
     • "Did you notice a difference in how you felt after trying a strategy?"
     • "How can these strategies help you when you're feeling overwhelmed?"

Wrap-Up

• Conclude the game with a brief discussion on the importance of recognizing our emotions and choosing the right strategies to cope with them.
• Remind students that both big and little emotions are important and it's okay to ask for help when managing feelings.

Have fun and remember: every emotion is a chance to learn more about ourselves and grow!

Script for Individual Emotion Discussion

Introduction (5 minutes)

"Hi there! Today, we're going to have a personal conversation about your feelings. Every day, we experience a range of emotions, and it's important to understand them so we can take care of ourselves. Sometimes, our emotions can be really powerful—like feeling extremely excited or really upset—and other times they can be more gentle, like feeling a little worried or calm."

"Can you think of a time recently when you felt a really strong emotion, maybe something that made your heart race or a feeling that was hard to ignore?"

(Allow the student to share, and listen closely. Offer encouraging nods and gentle follow-ups like, "Tell me a bit more about that," or "How did that make you feel inside?")

Exploring Big and Little Emotions (5 minutes)

"Let's talk about what we mean by 'big' and 'little' emotions. A big emotion is one that feels very intense, like when you're overwhelmed by happiness or anger. A little emotion, on the other hand, is more subtle and easier to manage, like a small bit of excitement or a quiet moment of sadness."

"Can you share an example of a time when a gentler, 'little' emotion helped you stay calm or focus better?"

(Encourage the student to describe the moment and discuss how they managed those feelings.)

Reflecting on Personal Experiences (10 minutes)

"Now, think about a recent situation in your life when you felt a clear emotion. Take a moment to picture that memory. Was it something that overwhelmed you—a big emotion—or was it more of a subtle, gentle feeling—a little emotion? How did your body react? Maybe you felt your heart beat faster, or you noticed a change in your breathing?"

(Allow the student to reflect silently for a few moments.)

"Would you like to share what you remembered? You can describe the situation and explain whether the feeling was big or little. What did you notice about your body or your thoughts that helped you decide its intensity?"

(Offer supportive prompts like, "Did you notice any particular physical changes, such as feeling tense or calm?")

Summarizing Our Discussion (5 minutes)

"Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Today, we've learned that understanding whether an emotion is big or little can really help us decide how to handle it."

"Before we finish, could you tell me one example of a big emotion and one example of a little emotion that we talked about today?"

(Provide praise and affirm the student's response.)

"Remember, every emotion you experience is important, and knowing how you feel is the first step toward managing those feelings in a way that works for you. In our next session, we'll explore some strategies to help you cope when emotions feel overwhelming. Do you have any questions or is there anything else you'd like to share about your feelings before we wrap up?"

Individual Emotion Discussion

Opening Prompt

"Think about a recent moment when you felt a strong emotion—whether it was really big or just a small, gentle feeling. What happened, and how did that emotion make you feel?"

*Take a moment to think about your experience. Then, if you're comfortable, share what you remember about that time. How did your body feel? What did you notice about your thoughts?"

Follow-Up Questions

1. "When you felt that emotion, did you notice any physical changes, like your breathing or heart rate?"
   
   
   
2. "Can you describe a time when a small emotion helped you stay calm and make a good decision?"
   
   
   
3. "What do you think you could do when you feel a big emotion that might seem overwhelming?"
   
   
   

Reflective Prompts

• "Think about the differences between the big and little emotions you experienced. What makes them feel different to you?"
  
  
  
• "How do you think understanding these differences could help you choose ways to manage your feelings better?"
  
  
  

Wrap-Up

"Today, we talked about your feelings and what they mean to you. Every emotion, whether big or small, tells us something important about how we feel and what we might need. Remember, it's okay to feel a range of emotions, and thinking about them can help you take care of yourself."

"Before we wrap up, is there anything else you'd like to share or ask about how emotions work or how to manage them?"

Individual Emotion Activity Guide

Activity Overview

In this activity, you will explore your own emotions by engaging in a personal creative exercise. This is a time for you to reflect on your feelings and express them through drawing or writing. By doing so, you will learn how to identify whether an emotion is big (intense) or little (subtle), and why it's important to understand the strength of your emotions.

Materials Needed

• A piece of paper or a sketchbook
• Colored pencils, markers, or crayons
• A pen or pencil

Instructions

1. Introduction (5 minutes):
   • Reflect on your recent experiences with different emotions. Think about moments when you felt strongly (big emotions) and moments when you felt more quietly (little emotions).
2. Creative Expression (15 minutes):
   • Choose one emotion that you have felt recently. Decide whether it was a big emotion or a little emotion.
   • Express this emotion by either drawing a picture that shows how it feels or writing a few sentences describing the emotion and what made you feel that way.
3. Reflection (10 minutes):
   • Take a moment to look at your drawing or read what you wrote. Ask yourself:
     • Why did I feel this emotion?
     • Was it big or little? What clues in my drawing or words tell me its intensity?
   • Write or think about one way you might cope with this emotion if you felt it again. For example, if it was a big emotion, you might try deep breathing or taking a short break.

Follow-Up Points for You

• Keep your drawing or writing in a personal journal to refer back to later. It might help you notice patterns in how you feel over time.
• Consider sharing your work with someone you trust, like a teacher or parent, if you feel comfortable. They might have suggestions on additional coping strategies.
• Use this activity as a way to prepare for future conversations about your emotions with supportive adults.

Individual Emotion Game Instructions

Game Overview

This game is designed for individual play to help you practice identifying your emotions and choosing effective coping strategies. You will work through a series of prompts and activities that encourage you to reflect on your feelings and select a strategy to manage them in a fun, interactive way.

Materials Needed

• A set of emotion cards or a list of emotion words (the teacher may supply these, or you can create your own)
• A timer or stopwatch
• Paper and pencil for recording responses

Game Setup

1. Choose a quiet space where you can focus on your thoughts and feelings.
2. If using emotion cards, shuffle them and keep them in a pile. Otherwise, have your list of emotions ready.

Instructions

1. Select an Emotion:
   • Pick an emotion card at random or select an emotion from your list. This will be your focus for this round.
   • Think about whether this emotion is a "big emotion" (one that feels intense and overwhelming) or a "little emotion" (a more subtle, mild feeling).
2. Record and Reflect (2 minutes):
   • Write down the emotion and note if you think it is big or little. Explain briefly why you feel this emotion fits into that category.
3. Choose a Coping Strategy (2 minutes):
   • After you identify the emotion type, review a list of coping strategies (e.g., deep breathing, journaling, doodling, or taking a short break). Choose one strategy that you think could help you manage this emotion.
   • Write down the chosen strategy next to the emotion.
4. Practice the Strategy (3 minutes):
   • Set a timer for three minutes and practice the selected coping strategy. For instance, if you chose deep breathing, focus on taking slow, mindful breaths.
5. Self-Reflection (2 minutes):
   • After practicing the strategy, reflect on how you feel. Write down any changes in your emotion or physical state and note if the strategy helped you feel better.
6. Repeat or Switch:
   • You can repeat the game with another emotion or try a different coping strategy. Aim to practice several rounds to explore various emotions and methods of coping.

Game Reflection

When you finish playing, consider the following questions:

• Which coping strategy felt the most effective for you?
• Did identifying whether the emotion was big or little change how you approached managing it?
• What did you notice about your feelings or responses over the rounds?

Remember, this game helps you build skills to better manage your feelings by understanding your emotions and practicing calming techniques. Enjoy the process of learning more about yourself!