Feelings Not Bites Teacher Script

Overview:
Use this word-for-word script in each 10-minute session. Replace [EMOTION] with the target emotion for that day (e.g., happy, sad, angry). Follow every line to model, prompt, and reinforce the replacement behavior.

1. Greeting (1 minute)

Teacher: “Hello, [Student Name]! I’m so happy to see you today!”

Teacher: “Today we’re going to learn about a feeling called [EMOTION].”

2. Introduce the Emotion Card (1 minute)

Teacher holds up the card: “Here is the [EMOTION] card. Look at its picture. See how their face shows they feel [EMOTION]?”

3. Model the Communication (2 minutes)

Teacher points to self then to the card:
Teacher: “I feel [EMOTION].” (Gesture: hand on heart, then point to card.)

Optional prompt if needed:
Teacher: “Watch me one more time: ‘I feel [EMOTION].’”

4. Prompt Student to Respond (3 minutes)

Teacher: “Now it’s your turn. Can you show me the [EMOTION] card?”

• Wait up to 5 seconds.
• If no response:
  Teacher gently: “Show me the [EMOTION] card.” (Point to cards.)
• If student touches or hands over correct card:
  Teacher: “Great job! That is the [EMOTION] card!”
• If student chooses the wrong card:
  Teacher: “That one is [wrong emotion]. Let’s try again. Which one is [EMOTION]?”

5. Reinforce the Replacement Phrase (1 minute)

Teacher holds correct card:
Teacher: “You feel [EMOTION]! If you ever feel [EMOTION] and want to tell me, you can show me this card instead of biting.”

6. Practice a Mini Role-Play (1 minute)

Teacher sets up a simple scenario to evoke the feeling:
Example for [EMOTION] = frustrated: “Let’s pretend this puzzle is too hard. Oh no, I feel frustrated!” (Teacher models biting motion and then stops.)
Teacher: “But instead of biting, I’ll show my [EMOTION] card. Watch me.” (Shows card, says “I feel [EMOTION].”)
Teacher: “Now you try.”

7. High-Energy Reinforcement (1 minute)

Teacher: “Amazing! You used your [EMOTION] card.”

• Offer a small preferred item/activity (sticker, sticker choice, small toy) or a high-five.

8. Closing & Transition (1 minute)

Teacher: “That was awesome practice for feeling [EMOTION]. You did a great job using your words and card instead of biting!”
Teacher: “Next time you feel [EMOTION], I can’t wait to see you show me your card.”
Teacher: “Now let’s go play [next activity]!”

Follow-Up Prompts (if needed):

• “Which card shows feeling [EMOTION]?”
• “Tell me how you feel. Show me the card.”
• “What do you do instead of biting?” → “I show my card.”

Use this exact script each session. Swap in the session’s emotion card and walkthrough. Consistent phrasing and reinforcement help build the replacement behavior over time.

Biting Replacement Activity

Objective:
Provide a playful, hands-on practice of using emotion cards instead of biting when upset or frustrated.

Materials:

• A pair of hand puppets or small toys (e.g., a stuffed animal, finger puppets)
• Emotion Visual Cards
• A simple scenario prompt sheet (e.g., “Puzzle is too hard,” “Toy taken away,” “Loud noise startles you”)

Setup (1–2 minutes):

1. Sit facing the student at a low table or on the floor. Place the emotion cards spread out in front of you.
2. Introduce the puppets/toys: one puppet/toy will “get upset” and the other will be the helper.

Activity Steps (6–7 minutes):

1. Model the Scenario
   • Teacher puppet: “Oh no! My block tower fell over. I feel frustrated.” (Teacher makes a biting motion with the puppet.)
   • Teacher: “But instead of biting, I’ll show my frustrated card.” (Teacher picks up and shows the card, says “I feel frustrated.”)
2. Student Practice
   • Student puppet: Teacher gently moves the student’s puppet into a mild frustration scenario (e.g., puzzle piece doesn’t fit). 
   • Teacher prompts: “Oh dear, you feel frustrated. What will you do instead of biting?”
   • Student is encouraged to pick up the correct emotion card and show it with the phrase “I feel frustrated.”
3. Switch Roles
   • Let the student’s puppet “bite” first (no actual biting, just a pretend bite gesture). Teacher puppet reminds, “Remember, we use our cards, not bites!”
   • Student practices again with support.
4. Reinforce Success
   • Each time the student shows the correct card without the bite gesture, provide enthusiastic praise and a small preferred reward (e.g., high-five, sticker).

Variations:

• Use different emotion cards (e.g., sad, angry, scared) in new scenarios.
• Introduce a visual “No-Bite” sign that puppet holds up when it feels like biting.

Generalization Tip:
After puppets, practice with real-life items or classmates, reinforcing “show card, not bite.” This builds the bridge to natural settings.

Emotion Visual Cards

Print, cut out, and laminate each card. Each card shows an emotion word and a clear image to support nonverbal communication.