Matching Words Game

Objective: Help the student reinforce the link between a foul word and its positive alternative through a fun, memory-style matching activity.

Materials:

• Foul Words Card Set
• Positive Expressions Cards
• Reward Tracking Chart (for recording stars)

Setup (1 minute):

1. Shuffle the foul-word cards and lay them face down in a grid.
2. Shuffle the positive-expression cards separately and lay them face down in a matching grid next to the foul-word cards.
3. Explain that each foul word has one positive “friend” card.

How to Play (5 minutes):

1. Student turns over one foul-word card, reads the word aloud (teacher assists if needed).
   
2. Student then flips one positive-expression card.
   
3. If the cards match (correct positive replacement), student keeps the pair in an “I Can Use” pile and earns a star on the Reward Tracking Chart.
4. If they do not match, both cards are turned face down again, and it’s the teacher’s turn to model a match.
5. Continue until all pairs are found or time is up.

Reinforcement:

• For each correct match, praise the student specifically (“Great job! Instead of that word, I like how you said ‘Oh, rats!’”).
• After the game ends, count the stars and remind the student how many new words they learned today.

Variations & Extensions:

• Time trial: Use a timer and challenge the student to beat their own time next round.
• Emotion prompt: Use an Emotion Flashcard to prompt which word might fit (e.g., “You’re mad—what’s your positive word?”).

Tip for Teacher:
Model enthusiasm and exaggerate the “wrong” word reaction with a silly face, then celebrate the positive word with a high-five or sticker to build engagement.

Role-Play Practice

Objective: Give the student multiple chances to replace a foul word with a positive expression in realistic, play‐based scenarios.

Materials:

• Foul Words Card Set
• Positive Expressions Cards
• Scenario Prompt Cards (e.g., “Your toy broke,” “You can’t have the cookie”)
• Reward Tracking Chart

Setup (1 minute):

1. Arrange the three card sets face up on a low table or carpet square.
2. Briefly review how each scenario might make you feel (angry, sad, frustrated).

How to Play (5 minutes):

1. Teacher draws one Scenario Prompt Card and reads it aloud (e.g., “Oh no—my block tower fell!”).
2. Student locates the matching foul‐word card they might say when upset and holds it up.
3. Teacher asks: “What’s a better word you can use instead?”
4. Student finds the correct Positive Expressions Card, says it with feeling, and practices eye contact.
5. Teacher models the same scenario with an exaggerated wrong word and then cheers the positive word choice.
6. After each turn, student earns a star on the Reward Tracking Chart.

Variation – Role Reversal:

• After 3 rounds, let the student play “teacher”: they pick a scenario, you find the cards, and they prompt you to choose a positive word.

Extension – Props:

• Use a small toy (broken block, empty cookie jar) to make the scenario more concrete and engaging.

Teacher Tips:

• Keep your tone playful and supportive.
• If the student struggles, provide two positive‐word choices and let them pick.
• Celebrate each correct replacement with high fives or silly cheers to maintain motivation.

Session 1 Cool Down

Reflection

1. One old word I used today was:
   
   
   
2. Instead of that, I will say:
   
   
   

Reward

• Awesome! Let’s add a ⭐ on your Reward Tracking Chart.

Breathing & Affirmation

• Take three big, slow breaths with me:
  • Inhale…
  
  • Exhale…
  
  • Inhale…
  
  • Exhale…
  
  
  
• Say together: “I can use good words!”

Expression Bingo

Objective: Reinforce choosing positive expressions in response to everyday triggers by playing a fun bingo-style game.

Materials:

• Positive Expression Bingo Cards (student’s bingo board with positive words in each square)
• Scenario Prompt Cards (e.g., “Your block tower fell,” “You can’t have the cookie”)
• Markers or chips to cover bingo squares
• Reward Tracking Chart (to record stars)

Setup (2 minutes):

1. Give the student a Positive Expression Bingo Cards board and a handful of markers/chips.
2. Review how the bingo board works: each square has a positive expression (e.g., “Oh, rats!” “That’s okay!”) that matches a scenario.
3. Explain that when the teacher reads a scenario from the Scenario Prompt Cards, the student will find and say the matching expression, then cover that square.

How to Play (5 minutes):

1. Teacher draws one Scenario Prompt Card and reads it aloud (e.g., “Uh-oh—my puzzle piece is missing!”).
2. Student scans their bingo board, finds the positive expression that fits the scenario, says it out loud with feeling, and covers the square with a marker.
3. Teacher gives the student a ⭐ on the Reward Tracking Chart for each correct choice.
4. Continue drawing scenarios until the student covers three in a row (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) and calls “Bingo!”
5. When the student achieves Bingo, celebrate with a high-five and award a bonus ⭐.

Reinforcement:

• Offer specific praise: “Great job! Instead of getting angry, you said, ‘I’ll try again!’”
• Count and review the stars at the end to show progress.

Variations & Extensions:

• Speed Round: Time how quickly the student can get Bingo and encourage them to beat their record.
• Partner Play: Let the student read scenarios to you while you play “student.”
• Picture Clues: Pair each scenario with an emotion flashcard from Emotion Flashcards for a visual prompt.

Tip for Teacher:

• Model enthusiasm: act surprised by each scenario and cheer dramatically when the student covers the right square to keep engagement high.

Self-Monitoring Checklist

Objective: Encourage the student to take ownership of choosing positive words by tracking each successful replacement and reflecting on progress.

Materials:

• Self-Monitoring Checklist Cards (each card has spaces to check off uses)
• Foul Words Card Set
• Positive Expressions Expansion Cards
• Scenario Prompt Cards
• Reward Tracking Chart

Setup (1 minute):

1. Give the student the Self-Monitoring Checklist Cards and a pencil or sticker dots.
2. Review how each check corresponds to using a positive word instead of a foul word.
3. Remind the student of a few positive expressions from the Positive Expressions Expansion Cards.

How to Play (5 minutes):

1. Teacher reads a scenario from the Scenario Prompt Cards (e.g., “Your coloring page ripped”).
2. Student identifies the foul word they might use (point to a Foul Words Card Set card) and then selects the matching positive expression from the expansion cards.
3. Student says the positive expression with feeling, then places a check on their checklist card and earns a ⭐ on the Reward Tracking Chart.
4. Repeat for 3–4 scenarios, allowing the student to lead selection when ready.
5. After the last scenario, student counts their checks and receives specific praise for each (e.g., “You chose ‘I’ll try again!’ three times—fantastic self-control!”).

Reflection & Extension:

• Ask: “Which positive word was your favorite today?” and have the student circle it on the checklist card.
  
  
  
• Encourage the student to use their checklist card during free play or transitions to self-track beyond this session.

Teacher Tips:

• Provide visual prompts if the student pauses: offer two expression cards to choose from.
• Use enthusiastic reinforcement (high-fives, stickers) for each check to build motivation.
• Keep the pace brisk; if attention wanes, switch to a quick role-reversal where the student reads scenarios to you.

Session 2 Cool Down

Reflection

1. One new word I liked today was:
   
   
   
2. One time I will use it:
   
   
   

Reward

• Let’s add a ⭐ on your Reward Tracking Chart.

Breathing & Affirmation

• Take two big, slow breaths with me:
  • Inhale… Exhale…
  • Inhale… Exhale…
• Say together: “I choose good words!”

Story Role-Play

Objective: Help the student generalize replacing foul words with positive expressions by acting out short story scenarios.

Materials:

• Story Scenario Role-Play Cards
• Reward Tracking Chart

Setup (1 minute):

1. Shuffle the Story Scenario Role-Play Cards and place them face down.
2. Have the Reward Tracking Chart visible with a marker ready.
3. Remind the student of a few positive expressions learned in previous sessions.

How to Play (5 minutes):

1. Teacher draws the top scenario card and reads it aloud (e.g., “Tom dropped his ice cream cone”).
2. Ask: “What might Tom say if he used a bad word?”
   • Student tells the foul word they might use (teacher models if needed).
3. Ask: “Now what’s a better, positive word Tom could use?”
   • Student says the positive expression with feeling and good eye contact.
4. Praise the student (“Great choice!”) and add a ⭐ to the Reward Tracking Chart.
5. Repeat for 4–5 cards, encouraging the student to use different expressions each time.

Variation – Role Reversal:

• After several rounds, let the student draw and read the scenario card. Teacher responds by naming a positive expression to model.

Extension – Puppet Play:

• Use two simple puppets (or stuffed toys) to act out the scenario. Let the puppet “say” the foul word, then let the student switch the puppet to say the positive word.

Teacher Tips:

• Keep tone playful and supportive—use silly voices for the “wrong” word to make the correct choice more memorable.
• If the student hesitates, offer two positive expressions to choose from.
• Celebrate each correct replacement with specific praise and a high-five to maintain motivation.

Trigger Sorting Game

Objective: Help the student generalize replacing foul words by matching everyday triggers with their positive expression replacements in a hands-on sorting activity.

Materials:

• Trigger and Expression Sorting Cards (two sets: trigger cards & expression cards)
• Reward Tracking Chart

Setup (1 minute):

1. Shuffle each set of cards separately and place them face down in two stacks (one for triggers, one for expressions).
2. Explain that each trigger (e.g., “Spilled juice”) has a “good-word” friend that helps us use kind language.
3. Keep the Reward Tracking Chart in view to record stars for correct matches.

How to Play (5 minutes):

1. Student flips over one trigger card and reads or describes the situation aloud (teacher assists as needed).
2. Student then flips one expression card and reads the positive word or phrase.
3. If the expression correctly replaces a foul word for that trigger, the student keeps the pair in a “Good Words” pile and earns a ⭐ on the Reward Tracking Chart.
4. If not, both cards are turned face down again, and the teacher models the correct match before returning them to their stacks.
5. Continue until all pairs are matched or time runs out.

Reinforcement:

• Offer specific praise for each correct match (e.g., “Nice! When you spilled your juice, you said ‘That’s okay!’—great choice!”).
• Count and celebrate the total stars earned to show progress.

Variations & Extensions:

• Speed Sort: Time how long it takes to match all pairs and challenge the student to go faster next time.
• Category Sort: After matching, have the student group their matched pairs by emotion (e.g., frustration vs. sadness).
• Partner Play: Let the student draw triggers while the teacher finds the matching expression to reverse roles.

Teacher Tips:

• Keep the pace lively: use enthusiastic commentary when students make matches.
• If the student struggles, offer two expression cards as choices to boost confidence.
• Use simple visuals or props (small toy spills or puppet drops) to make triggers more concrete and engaging.

Session 3 Cool Down

Reflection on Generalization
Use your Generalization Reflection Sheet to answer:

1. Which situation did you like practicing the most?
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Which positive word will you remember to use when you feel upset?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Reward

• Let’s add one final ⭐ to your Reward Tracking Chart.

Breathing & Affirmation

• Take one big, slow breath together:
  
  • Inhale… Exhale…
  
  
• Say together: “I use good words everywhere!”

Generalization Reflection Sheet

Use this sheet to record your thoughts and plan for using good words in real life.

1. Which situation did you like practicing the most?
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Which positive word will you remember to use when you feel upset?
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. When will you practice using good words this week?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Great work! Keep this sheet somewhere you can see it to remind yourself to choose good words every day.