Hopscotch Play Guides

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Welcome to Ladder! This is a powerful tool for helping kids and teens set goals and create exposure hierarchies or fear ladders. Whether your client is working toward a big personal goal or gradually facing a fear, Ladder makes the process visual, step-by-step, and motivating.

To get started, click the plus sign to create a new ladder. You’ll first choose how many steps you want—4, 6, or 8 rungs—depending on how many smaller goals it might take to reach the big one. On the next screen, your client can enter their main goal at the very top. This could be a skill to build, a fear to overcome, or a challenge to face.

Next, they'll see their ladder below with the number of steps they picked. Starting at the bottom, work with your client to begin adding smaller goals that will help them climb toward the main one. If you're using this as a fear ladder or exposure hierarchy, the steps should go from least distressing at the bottom to most distressing at the top.

There are plenty of ways to personalize each ladder and step! Clients can pick a unique font and color for each goal step. Clicking the plus sign next to any step opens a motivation box, where your client can write an encouraging message they’ll see when they complete that step. They can also select an emoji or upload a custom image to go with each goal, making it feel even more personal and fun.

When the ladder is complete, press the play button to begin working on it. You can download and print the ladder or share it electronically with your client. When clients return to session, they can check off completed steps—and when they do, they’ll see their motivational messages all the way to the top as they complete each goal.

Clients can work on multiple ladders at the same time, and easily track their progress along the way. Whether you're building confidence, working through fears, or setting long-term goals, Ladder is here to help every step of the way.

Welcome to the Client Dashboard in Hopscotch Play!

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This is a dedicated space designed to make your sessions more engaging, whether you are meeting face to face or using our two player feature.

We know a client's age and personality changes by the hour, from a playful and animated seven year old to a serious and thoughtful sixteen year old, and everything in between. That is why we have built this dashboard to be fully customizable. Your younger clients can make it playful and bright, while your teen clients can keep it sleek and modern, or whatever best fits their style.

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Let’s start by looking at how clients can make this space their own. When you click into a client's profile from your provider dashboard, you will be taken straight to their dashboard.

In the All About section, clients can choose a screen name and select an avatar. They can pick from our illustrated human characters, choose one of our Psykick buddies, or upload their own image that represents them best, such as a picture of themselves or something they find interesting. They can also update the entire look of the dashboard here. They can choose from rows of light or dark colors, select one of our custom patterns, or upload their own background image for total personalization.

Right underneath their avatar, clients can update their status to share what is on their mind right now.

In the Playlist area, clients can share the music and videos that matter to them. They can grab a link from YouTube and drop it right here. The song or video will appear in their playlist, ready to watch or listen to directly within Hopscotch Play. This is a great way to explore songs that matter to them in the moment, share cool videos with you, and explore other interests.

Let’s visit the Check in area next. This is a perfect way to start a session. It offers a complete range of ways to check in. Clients can identify their feelings using colors or emojis and select topics that are on their mind. They can also share their highs and lows from the week and rate different areas of well being, like appetite, exercise, and stress levels. This is a great guide for setting the session agenda and will give you lots to explore with your client.

In the My Circle section, clients can identify the top five people in their support system. They can add names, choose avatars, or upload photos to represent them. Below that is the Goals section. Here, you can work together to create and track goals, using the progress slider to measure success week over week.

To keep things engaging, we have added a fun section at the bottom. This includes a Mini Mission which is a small actionable task for the week, and a weekly Poll and Trivia question.

When you are ready to get to work, check the Pinned section to access activities you have saved from the library, or click Recently Played to jump back into a favorite game.

Last but not least is My Feed. Designed to feel like a social media feed, this area highlights mental health tips, fun facts, current events, and more. There are two versions of this feed. One for kids and one for teens. You have full control over this. Simply visit your Provider Dashboard to update the client’s profile. If you select Teen, their dashboard will automatically update to show the teen focused newsfeed.

The dashboard is designed for all ages. It is a powerful way to personalize your practice and keep kids and teens actively involved in their own journey.

About

Description: Magic Worry Jar is an engaging and therapeutic game designed to help children manage their worries and anxieties. In this game, kids visit Leona, the worry wizard, in her enchanting shop filled with an array of colorful jars. Each child selects a jar to serve as their personal worry container. They then write down their worries on virtual tickets and place them into their chosen jar. With a quick spell from Leona, the jar is sealed, symbolically containing their worries. Additionally, children have the option to use a magical worry wand to make their worries disappear completely, representing a symbolic release of their anxieties.

This game leverages the therapeutic intervention of worry jars, providing children with a creative and effective way to express and manage their concerns. It helps in developing coping mechanisms, enhancing emotional regulation, and reducing overall anxiety in a supportive and playful environment.

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Anxiety reduction, Emotional regulation, Self-awareness, Coping strategies, Mindfulness

Using Magic Worry Jar in Session

Begin by introducing the child to the concept of a worry jar. Explain that it’s a special place where they can safely store their worries, helping them feel lighter and more relaxed. Use simple, reassuring language to ensure the child feels comfortable with the idea.

Choosing a Jar
Allow the child to explore the various colorful jars in Leona’s shop. Encourage them to take their time and choose a jar that they feel a connection with. This choice helps personalize the experience, making it more meaningful for the child.

 

Writing Worries

Once the child has selected a jar, facilitate the process of identifying and writing down their worries. Use open-ended questions to help the child articulate their feelings. For example, ask, "Can you tell me about something that’s been on your mind?" or "What is something that has been making you feel uneasy?" Provide support and reassurance, emphasizing that all worries, big or small, are valid.

Once the worry is written, press the check mark to enter it into the jar.

 

 

Sealing the Jar

The child can add up to 4 total worries in their jar.  At any time, they can tap on the cork to magically seal the jar.  Leona will assist with a spell that securely contains the worries inside the jar. This step is crucial as it symbolizes the containment of their worries, providing a sense of relief and control. Encourage the child to observe how it feels to see their worries safely sealed away.

 

Next Steps

At this point, once the worry jar is sealed, the child's worries are symbolically locked away.  There are a few options on how to proceed.
-With the jar sealed, the child can proceed with the rest of their day with no worries

-You can exit the game and revisit the worry jar the following session to see if the worries still remain for the child

-You can Download the magic worry jar using the button on the right tool bar. This downloads a PDF version that can be printed or sent electronically with the child.  The child will be able to revisit the worries at an agreed upon time later in the day or week.

-At any moment, the child can click into the ticket and can either edit their worry, delete, close out of it, or use the Worry Wand to make a specific worry disappear.

The Worry Wand

 

If the child chooses, they can use the worry wand to make their worries disappear entirely. Explain that this is a symbolic action, representing their ability to let go of worries that are no longer troubling them. This can be a powerful and empowering moment for the child, reinforcing their sense of agency over their feelings. Throughout the game, maintain an open dialogue with the child. Ask them how they’re feeling at each stage and provide gentle prompts to encourage deeper reflection. For instance, "How do you feel now that your worries are in the jar?" or "What does it feel like to make a worry disappear?" Use these discussions to validate the child’s emotions and provide support.

 

The child can proceed with clearing their worry jar until all the worries are gone! They can start over with a new jar or revisit Leona to choose a new one.

 

Related Resources

In the Hopscotch Play Print section, you will find a PDF titled My Magic worry Jar.  With this worksheet, the child has a take-home version of a magic worry jar that they can use whenever worries and anxieties appear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tips for a Smooth Experience

Hopscotch Play now works on tablets! Whether you’re playing alongside a client in the office or connecting in a 2-Player session remotely, tablets give you more flexibility to bring fun and engaging activities to your sessions. Below are some helpful tips to make sure your experience is smooth and frustration-free.

1. Always Refresh Your Browser first

Whether you're in your office or using 2-Player, the very first thing to do when logging into Hopscotch Play is refresh your browser. This makes sure you're running the latest version of Hopscotch Play.  If in 2-Player, both provider and client should refresh their browser at least twice to make sure everything updates.

Refreshing on iPad (Safari)

Refreshing on Chrome (Android)

2. Be Mindful When Minimizing Your Browser During 2-Player
When you're in a 2-Player session, minimizing your browser or switching between tabs will pause the session for both you and your client. If you're in a telehealth session, this can happen if you or your client clicks away from the Hopscotch Play window or tab to return to their video conferencing window or tab.Some video platforms, like Zoom, have a pop-out video window. This lets you keep your client visible while you stay inside the Hopscotch Play browser window.However, some browser-based platforms, like Simple Practice, don’t offer a pop-out option on tablets. If you (or your client) are using one of these platforms along with Hopscotch Play on a tablet, we recommend using split screen mode to keep from having to switch back and forth between browser tabs.

How to Use Split Screen on Your Tablet

Split screen mode allows you to run Hopscotch Play and your video conferencing platform side-by-side in separate browsers, so you and your client can see each other while you play.  This is an ideal option for browser-based video platforms that do not offer a minimized video pop-out.  

Using Split Screen on iPad (Safari browser)

1. Open Safari.
2. Access your telehealth session in the browser.
3. Tap the Multitasking button (three horizontal dots) at the top of the screen.
   
   

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2. Tap Split View.
3. Tap the Safari icon in the Dock or on your Home Screen to open a side-by-side browser window.
4. Access Hopscotch Play in the new window.
   
   Find more tips here.

Using Split Screen on Android (Chrome Browser)

1. Open Chrome.
2. Access your telehealth session in the browser.
3. Tap the three vertical dots button to the right of the address bar.
4. Tap New Window to open a side-by-side browser window.
   
   

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2. Access Hopscotch Play in the new window.

3. Experiencing Issues? We Can Help!

If you’re still running into problems, don’t worry! You can reach out to us easily:

• Tap the Help icon in the bottom right corner of any screen on Hopscotch Play.
• Submit a ticket letting us know what’s going on.
• Screenshots are super helpful! By pressing the camera icon on the support ticket, you can take a picture of what you’re seeing and send it along with your message so we can troubleshoot faster.

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Welcome to Climber! This fun and interactive game is designed to help clients break down big goals into smaller, manageable steps. It's perfect for teaching kids how to set goals, build confidence, and it can even be used for exposure therapy with anxiety or OCD. To get started, click Start a new climb. Each goal your client wants to work on should be its own “climb.” On the next screen, the client will enter their big goal and then choose their preferred setting. They can pick from three themes: a city background, where they work their way to a rooftop, a mountain theme where they aim to reach the rainbow at the top of the peak, or a forest theme, where they climb towards a treehouse.

Once the goal and setting are chosen, it’s time to break the goal into smaller steps. Starting from the bottom, work with your client to input the first step. As they complete each step, they will move closer to their big goal. The number of steps is customizable, so you can add, delete, or rearrange them as needed until the climb is just right. After the climb is set, your client will begin their journey! Climber is designed to be used over multiple sessions, with clients returning to mark off completed steps and continue progressing. To mark a step as done, they simply click the goal and select Mark as Done, then reflect on how they felt about completing that task. Once they finish a task, the next step is highlighted in yellow, prompting them to continue their climb.

One of the best features of Climber is its ability to track multiple goals at once. Clients can work on several climbs simultaneously, and you can easily view their progress on the menu page. 

You can also make changes to your steps and goals at any time during the climb.  Open a step, and click Edit. This will take you to the edit screen where you can update text, re-order or re-do steps, or update your big goal.

Climber is a great way for kids to set and achieve goals in a fun and structured way, helping them build confidence as they break big challenges into small, manageable tasks.

About

Description: Rowan's Sounds offers a variety of soundboards, each representing a unique environment containing multiple sounds. Clients can manipulate these sounds by adjusting volume, pitch, and tempo to enhance sensory exploration. Each soundboard contains multiple sounds, allowing children to immerse themselves in rich auditory landscapes. By exploring and interacting with these diverse sounds, Rowan's Sounds helps children develop their listening skills, improve focus, and foster creativity. This engaging and enjoyable game can be used to calm, stimulate, or simply entertain

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Sensory exploration, Expressive art, Imaginative play, Mindfulness, Self-awareness

Using Rowan's Sounds in Session

Explain the purpose of Rowan's Sounds to the child, emphasizing that it is a fun way to explore different sounds and environments.

Selecting a Soundboard
Allow the child to choose from the various soundboards available: beach, rainforest, space, or city. Encourage them to pick the one that interests them the most.

Exploring Sounds

 Sounds: The left-hand menu contains short theme-related sounds. The client can preview by clicking on the icon.Mixer: Each icon can be dragged and dropped into an empty circle on the mixer.  As the play line moves past, it will play that sound.  To remove an icon, click on the circle and press the "x" button that appears.  The same sound can be placed in multiple spaces.Pitch: The pitch of each icon can be adjusted by sliding the mixer up and down.

Tempo: Clients can adjust tempo by clicking on the tempo dial.  The higher the number, the quicker the loop plays.

Tracks: The tracks at the bottom are theme-related and can play in the background as the different icons are playing.  Multiple tracks can be played at the same time.Volume: Volume controls the overall sound of the soundboard. Play/Pause: This plays or pauses the loop.

Discussion Questions

1. Which environment soundboard (beach, rainforest, space, city) are you most excited to explore? Why?2. Have you ever been to a beach, rainforest, or city? What did it sound like?3. What kind of sounds do you find calming or relaxing?4. What sounds are you hearing right now? Can you describe them?5. Which sound do you like the most on this soundboard? Are there any sounds that you don't like?6. How does this particular sound make you feel? Calm, excited, curious?7. Can you imagine being in this environment? What do you see and feel besides the sounds?8. Which environment did you enjoy the most? What did you like about it?9. How do you feel now after exploring these sounds? Did any of the sounds change how you felt?10. How could you use sounds to help you when you feel angry, sad, worried, or happy?

Related Resources

In the Hopscotch Play Print section, you will find a PDF titled My Favorite Songs. This is a worksheet designed to help clients explore the different songs and sounds they use to help cope with feelings of anger, sadness, fear, and anxiety.