Fall Fun Feelings Fix Script

Warm-Up: How Do You Feel Today? (5 minutes)

"Hello, wonderful friends! Welcome! I am so happy to see you all today. Before we start our fall adventure, I want to know how you are feeling right now. When it's your turn, tell us one feeling you have. You can use a word, or even show us with your face!"

(Teacher points to a feelings chart if available or prompts each student.)

"Thank you for sharing, everyone! It's super important to know how we feel. And remember, all feelings are okay to have."

Introduction: Big Feelings, Fall Fun! (5 minutes)

(Transition to Fall Fun Feelings Fix Slide Deck - Slide 1)

"Look at our first slide! Today we're going to talk about feelings, and how we can make our bodies and minds feel better when feelings get too big. Just like the leaves outside change colors and fall, our feelings can change too! Sometimes we feel happy and sunny like a yellow leaf, but other times we might feel grumpy or frustrated, like a stormy cloud."

(Transition to Fall Fun Feelings Fix Slide Deck - Slide 2)

"Have you ever had a feeling that felt super, super big? Like when you really want a toy but can't have it, or when someone takes your turn? Those are what we call 'big feelings.' Everyone has big feelings sometimes, even grown-ups! Can anyone tell me some big feelings they know?"

(Allow students to share and validate their responses.)

(Transition to Fall Fun Feelings Fix Slide Deck - Slide 3)

"Today, we're going to learn some special 'Fall Feeling Fixes'! These are like secret tricks that help us feel calm and happy again when our feelings get too big. What do you sometimes do when you feel a big feeling?"

(Allow students to share. Gently guide them towards healthy coping strategies if they mention unhelpful ones.)

Activity: Leaf Breathing (10 minutes)

(Transition to Fall Fun Feelings Fix Slide Deck - Slide 4)

"Okay, it's time for our first 'Fall Feeling Fix'! I'm going to give each of you a special leaf. Wow, look at all the pretty fall colors!"

(Distribute one construction paper leaf to each student.)

"Now, everyone hold up your leaf. See the lines on your leaf? Those are like little roads for our fingers. We're going to practice something called 'Leaf Breathing.' It's a way to help our bodies calm down when our feelings are big. Watch me first!"

(Teacher demonstrates tracing a leaf. Demonstrate slowly and clearly.)

"We're going to put our finger at the bottom of a leaf vein. As we trace our finger up the leaf, we breathe in slowly through our nose. Then, as we trace our finger down the other side of the vein, we breathe out slowly through our mouth. Let's try it together!"

(Transition to Fall Fun Feelings Fix Slide Deck - Slide 5)

"Ready? Finger at the bottom... breathe in as you go up... and breathe out as you go down. Again! Up, breathe in... Down, breathe out. Let's do it a few more times. Really feel your belly get big when you breathe in, and flat when you breathe out."

(Lead students through 4-5 more rounds of leaf breathing.)

"How did that feel? Did it help your body feel a little calmer? Leaf breathing is a wonderful 'Fall Feeling Fix' you can use anytime your feelings get too big, or even when you just want to feel peaceful."

Discussion: More Fall Feeling Fixes (5 minutes)

(Transition to Fall Fun Feelings Fix Slide Deck - Slide 6)

"Leaf breathing is a fantastic trick! But there are other 'Fall Feeling Fixes' too! Let's think about some. What about a 'Pumpkin Squeeze'? Can everyone make their hands into a tight, tight ball, like a little pumpkin, and squeeze? Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze! Now let it go. Ahhh! That can help when you feel angry or super-duper excited!"

(Model 'Pumpkin Squeeze'. Allow students to try.)

"Another one is a 'Cozy Blanket Hug'! When you feel a little sad or lonely, you can give yourself a big, warm hug, like a cozy blanket. Wrap your arms around yourself. Feel nice and safe?"

(Model 'Cozy Blanket Hug'. Allow students to try.)

"What other ideas do you have for feeling better when you have a big feeling? Maybe listening to music? Drawing a picture? Talking to a grown-up?"

(Encourage students to share. Validate their ideas.)

Cool Down: My Feeling Leaf (5 minutes)

(Transition to Fall Fun Feelings Fix Slide Deck - Slide 7)

"You all have such wonderful ideas! Now, for our cool-down, I'm going to give you another special leaf, and some markers and crayons. On this leaf, I want you to draw a picture or a symbol that shows a 'Fall Feeling Fix' you learned today that you want to remember. Or, you can draw how you feel right now after practicing our calming tricks!"

(Distribute second construction paper leaves and art supplies. Circulate and assist students as they draw.)

"Alright, who would like to share their 'Feeling Leaf' with the group? Tell us what you drew!"

(Allow each student to share their leaf and explain their drawing.)

(Transition to Fall Fun Feelings Fix Slide Deck - Slide 8)

"Thank you for sharing your amazing 'Feeling Leaves'! Remember, it's absolutely okay to have big feelings. And now, you have some super cool 'Fall Feeling Fixes' to help you feel calm and happy again. Keep practicing these tricks, and you'll be a feelings-managing superstar! Great job today, everyone!"

Leaf Breathing Activity

Materials Needed:

• Construction paper leaves (one for each student)

Instructions:

1. Introduce the Activity: Explain to students that just like leaves sway gently in the breeze, we can use our breath to help us feel calm. This is a special 'Fall Feeling Fix' called Leaf Breathing.
2. Distribute Leaves: Give one construction paper leaf to each student.
3. Demonstrate: Hold up your own leaf. Show students how to place their finger at the bottom of a leaf vein.
   • "As we move our finger up the leaf vein, we will breathe in slowly through our nose, filling our bellies with air like a balloon."
   • "Then, as we move our finger down the leaf vein, we will breathe out slowly through our mouth, letting all the air go."
4. Guided Practice: Lead students through the activity several times. Encourage them to really focus on their breath and the movement of their finger.
   • "Let's try it together! Finger at the bottom... breathe in slowly as you go up... and breathe out slowly as you go down."
   • Repeat 4-5 times, providing gentle reminders to breathe deeply.
5. Reflection: After several rounds, ask students:
   • "How did that feel in your body?"
   • "Did your body feel more calm or relaxed?"
   • "When could you use Leaf Breathing to help you with a big feeling?"

Feeling Leaf Cool Down

Materials Needed:

• Construction paper leaves (one for each student)
• Markers or crayons

Instructions:

1. Introduce the Cool Down: "You all did such a great job learning about our Fall Feeling Fixes! For our cool-down, we're going to make a special 'Feeling Leaf.'"
2. Distribute Materials: Give each student a blank construction paper leaf and access to markers or crayons.
3. Give Instructions: "On your leaf, I want you to draw a picture or a symbol that shows one of the 'Fall Feeling Fixes' we learned today that you want to remember. Maybe it's a leaf for 'Leaf Breathing,' or a happy face if you're feeling calm! You can also draw how you feel right now after practicing our calming tricks."
4. Student Creation: Allow students a few minutes to draw and color their 'Feeling Leaf.' Circulate to offer support and encouragement, asking questions like, "What coping skill are you drawing?" or "How does that skill help you?"
5. Share with the Group: Once students have finished (or after a designated time), invite each student to share their 'Feeling Leaf' with the group.
   • "Who would like to share their 'Feeling Leaf' and tell us what they drew?"
   • Encourage brief explanations of their drawings and how it relates to coping skills or their current feelings.
6. Conclude: "Fantastic 'Feeling Leaves,' everyone! Remember, you have learned some wonderful 'Fall Feeling Fixes' today to help you when your feelings get big. You can keep your leaf to remind you!"