Engaging CBT Activity

This activity is designed to help 6th graders explore the basics of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) by identifying connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors using a relatable scenario.

Instructions

1. Read the Scenario:

   • Present the following scenario to your students:

     Scenario: "Alex was excited about the school field trip, but when it was delayed due to rain, he started feeling disappointed. He thought, 'This always happens when I get excited about something,' and ended up canceling his plans for the day."

2. Group Discussion:

   • Break students into small pairs or groups.
   • Ask them to discuss and identify the following:
     • What was Alex's thought?
     • What feeling did Alex experience?
     • What behavior did Alex exhibit?

3. Share Insights:

   • After group discussions, have each group share their ideas with the class.
   • Ask guiding questions such as:
     • "How did Alex's thought influence his behavior?"
     • "Can you think of a time when your thoughts affected your feelings and actions?"

4. Reflection:

   • Have students independently reflect on a similar situation in their own lives, where a change in thought could have changed their feelings or response.
   • Provide space in their notebooks for a brief written reflection:

   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Follow-Up Points:

• Discuss how changing thoughts might lead to more positive feelings and behaviors.
• Encourage students to consider alternative thoughts in challenging situations.
• Reinforce that recognizing this pattern is a key step in managing emotions.

This activity not only reinforces the CBT framework but also encourages students to connect these ideas with their own experiences.

Good luck and have fun exploring your inner thoughts and feelings!

CBT Concept Game

This game is designed as a fun, interactive matching challenge that reinforces the core ideas of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). In this game, students work in teams to match thoughts with corresponding feelings and behaviors based on various scenarios.

Game Setup

1. Materials:

   • Printed cards with different thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Each card should clearly state one of these elements.
   • A list of scenarios (optional) that describe situational contexts where these elements might appear.
     
     
     

2. Team Formation:

   • Divide the class into small teams (3-4 students per team).

3. Game Space:

   • Ensure each team has enough space to collaborate on matching their cards.

How to Play

1. Distribute Cards:

   • Give each team an equal set of cards or a mixed pile including thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
     
     
     

2. Matching Round:

   • Each team will work together to match a thought card with a corresponding feeling card and behavior card that would logically fit together. Teams should discuss and justify their choices as they proceed.
   • Optionally, you can provide a scenario that sets the context for the matching (e.g., a scenario similar to "Alex was excited about the field trip but got disappointed when it was delayed").

3. Time Limit:

   • Set a time limit (around 3-4 minutes) for each round to keep the game pace brisk and engaging.

4. Sharing Answers:

   • After each round, teams present their matches and explain their reasoning. This fosters discussion and ensures understanding of how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact.
     
     
     

Follow-Up Discussion

• Analyzing Choices: Discuss how the chosen thought led to the specific feeling and behavior, emphasizing the connections in the CBT framework.
• Alternative Matches: Ask if there were other possible combinations and what different outcomes might have resulted.
• Real-Life Links: Encourage students to relate this matching process to their own experiences - when have they noticed a connection between their thoughts and feelings?
  
  
  

Game Conclusion

Wrap up the game by summarizing the key CBT concepts learned during the activity. Highlight that although thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are linked, changing one component may influence the others, providing a tool for better emotional management.

Have fun and let the connections lead the way to better understanding and teamwork!