Hopscotch Play Guides

About

Summary: Rowan teaches kids about respecting personal space.

Synopsis: Rowan explains that everyone has a personal space bubble, which is an area around them that they like to keep to themselves. Respecting this space makes people feel comfortable and happy. She encourages kids to communicate if they need more space and to respect others' space by keeping a polite distance. Rowan highlights the importance of respecting personal space in various situations, like waiting in line or playing games, as a way of showing kindness and being a good friend.

Themes:  The story emphasizes social-emotional themes such as respecting personal boundaries, effective communication, and kindness. It teaches children the importance of personal space, how to ask for more space politely, and the value of respecting others' space to foster positive social interactions and friendships.

Using Trying New Things in Session

Therapists can use "My Bubble, Your Bubble" to teach children about personal boundaries and respectful behavior in social settings. Discussing Rowan's perspective can help children understand the concept of personal space and why it's important. Role-playing different scenarios can help children practice asking for more space and respecting others' boundaries. The story also provides a foundation for discussing empathy and understanding others' comfort levels.

Discussion Questions:
    1. What is a personal space bubble, and why is it important?
    2. How does Rowan feel when people respect her personal space?
    3. What can you do if someone is too close and you need more space?
    4. Why is it important to respect others' personal space?
    5. Can you think of a time when someone respected your personal space? How did it make you feel?
    6. How can you show kindness by respecting personal space in different situations?
    7. Why is it important to communicate your needs about personal space to others?
    8. How can respecting personal space help you be a better friend?

About

Summary: Rowan encourages kids to embrace new experiences with a positive attitude.

Synopsis: Rowan explains that trying new things can be like an exciting adventure, even if it feels a bit nerve-wracking. She suggests taking deep breaths, imagining positive outcomes, and thinking encouraging thoughts to feel more comfortable. Asking questions and having a supportive friend can make the experience even more enjoyable. Rowan emphasizes the pride in attempting new activities, regardless of the outcome, and looks forward to the amazing discoveries that come from trying new things.

Themes:  The story explores themes of courage, resilience, and social support. It emphasizes the importance of approaching new experiences with a positive mindset and how social interactions, like having a friend by your side, can enhance the experience. It encourages children to develop social confidence and resilience by trying new activities and supporting one another.

Using Trying New Things in Session

Therapists can use "Trying New Things" to help children develop social confidence and a positive attitude towards new experiences. Discussing Rowan’s approach can teach children techniques like deep breathing and positive thinking. Role-playing scenarios where children try new activities can help them practice these techniques and build social support by encouraging friends. The story provides a basis for discussing how trying new things together can strengthen friendships and create a supportive environment.

Discussion Questions:
    1. How does Rowan feel about trying new things, and why?
    2. What techniques does Rowan use to feel more comfortable with new experiences?
    3. Why is it helpful to imagine positive outcomes when trying something new?
    4. How can asking questions make trying new things easier?
    5. Why is having a friend by your side beneficial when trying new things?
    6. Can you think of a time when you tried something new? How did it go?
    7. How can you support a friend who is nervous about trying something new?
    8. Why is it important to be proud of yourself for trying new things, no matter the outcome?

About

Summary: Francis overcomes his stage fright by practicing his clarinet daily and gradually building confidence.

Synopsis: Francis feels anxious about performing in a talent show, experiencing symptoms like sweating and dizziness. Despite his fears, he loves playing the clarinet and devises a plan to practice daily until he feels better. He starts by practicing alone, then in front of friends, and finally on stage with other kids, gaining confidence each time. On the day of the show, he manages his fear, performs beautifully, and feels a sense of accomplishment, vowing to participate again next year.

Themes:  The story explores themes of courage, perseverance, and self-confidence. It emphasizes the importance of practice and gradual exposure to fears as effective coping strategies. The narrative also highlights the supportive role of friends and family in overcoming anxiety and building self-assurance.

Using Francis Faces His Fears in Session

Therapists can use "Francis Faces His Fears" to help children understand the process of facing and overcoming their anxieties. Discussing Francis's step-by-step plan can illustrate the value of gradual exposure and practice. Role-playing Francis’s journey can help children relate it to their own fears and develop similar strategies. The story also provides an opportunity to talk about the importance of support from friends and family in managing anxiety.

Discussion Questions:
    1. How did Francis feel about performing in the talent show at first?
    2. What physical symptoms did Francis experience when he felt anxious?
    3. What was Francis’s plan to overcome his fear of performing?
    4. How did practicing in front of his friends help Francis feel more confident?
    5. What did Francis do when he felt nervous before the talent show?
    6. How did Francis feel after he performed in the talent show?
    7. Can you think of a time when you faced a fear? How did you handle it?
    8. Why is it important to have support from friends and family when facing fears?

About

Summary: Grant learns to cope with his best friend Kofi moving away and finds happiness again.

Synopsis: Grant is devastated when his best friend Kofi moves away, feeling lonely and sad. Over time, he realizes that talking to a grown-up might help. With support, Grant learns it's okay to feel sad and begins to change his thoughts, focusing on happy memories and the possibility of making new friends. He starts enjoying activities again, spends time with other friends, and keeps in touch with Kofi. Grant understands that while it's okay to miss Kofi, new beginnings can bring happiness too.

Themes:  The story explores themes of grief, coping, resilience, and new beginnings. It emphasizes the importance of expressing emotions, seeking support from trusted adults, and changing negative thoughts to improve mood. The narrative also highlights the value of maintaining old friendships while being open to new relationships and experiences.

Using Grant's Goodbye in Session

Therapists can use "Grant’s Goodbye" to help children understand and process feelings of loss and change. Discussing Grant’s emotions and coping strategies can teach children the importance of expressing their feelings and seeking support. Role-playing conversations Grant had with his grown-up can help children practice talking about their feelings. The story also provides an opportunity to discuss positive thinking and the benefits of staying connected with old friends while making new ones.

Discussion Questions:
    1. How did Grant feel when Kofi moved away, and why?
    2. What emotions did Grant experience over the days following Kofi’s departure?
    3. Why did Grant decide to talk to a grown-up about his feelings?
    4. How did changing his thoughts help Grant feel better?
    5. What activities did Grant enjoy that helped him feel happier?
    6. How did staying in touch with Kofi make Grant feel?
    7. Can you think of a time when you felt sad about losing something or someone? How did you cope?
    8. Why is it important to remember good memories and stay positive during difficult times?

About

Description: My Feelings Face is an engaging game designed for children aged 4-8 to help them explore and express their emotions. This interactive game allows children to use drawing tools and various facial features, such as eyes and mouths to create faces that represent different feelings.  My Feelings Face has many therapeutic applications, such as feelings check-ins before sessions, emotional literacy development, self-awareness, empathy, and teaching social cues.

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Expressive Art, Feelings Identification, Feelings Exploration, Empathy and Understanding, Social Skills

Using My Feelings Face in Session

Discuss feelings

Prior to activities or games involving feelings, it can be helpful to explore the child's feelings vocabulary.  My Feelings Face has a library of stickers containing 20 different feelings words that you can explore and review with your clients. You can also ask them if there are any additional feeling words that they know that aren't included on the list. 

Discuss the activity

Depending on how you are using My Feelings Face, it is helpful to explain the activity to the client and discuss the objective of the feelings face creation.  Here are some ideas and prompts for use!

Feelings check-in: "Create a face that shows how you're feeling today."

Processing a past event: "Create a face that shows how you were feeling when that happened."

Empathy: Identify a situation involving another person. This could be a real scenario about a sibling or a friend, or it can be a character from a book or a movie. "Create a face that shows how that other person might have been feeling."

Social skills: Use feelings faces to teach your client about different social cues. Discuss how facial expressions can show how someone is feeling and how they can respond appropriately.  "Can you create a face that shows how someone might look if they're feeling ______? What are some things you notice about a person's face when they feel _____?" 

Guess the Feeling: Another way to use My Feelings Face is to play Guess the Feeling.  Either you or the client chooses a feeling word without telling the other person.  Then as you're creating a matching feelings face, the other person is trying to guess the word.  See who's the quickest at guessing! 

Using the features

To get started with My Feelings Face, your client can begin by choosing a skin and shirt color for their character by scrolling through the palette.

They can then use the drawing tools to draw hair, a nose, or any other element that they'd like to add to the character.

Time to add the facial features! Allow the client to browse through the vast library of eyes and mouth shapes that they believe best conveys the feeling they are trying to represent. With each shape, they can resize, move, and drop it anywhere they'd like.  They can also delete and choose one that they feel is more fitting.

Afterwards, you can choose to revisit the feelings stickers and your client can choose a word that they feel best matches the face that they've created. 

With My Feelings Face, you also have the ability to quickly clear the screen and start by selecting the Trash button, or you can select the Download button, and a PDF of the created feelings face will be ready for download.

Related Resources

In the Hopscotch Play Print section, you will find a PDF version of My Feelings Face.  This can be used as a hands-on version of the game using the same interventions. 

With My Feelings Faces, children can creatively explore and articulate their emotions in a fun and interactive way. This game not only aids in emotional development but also enhances social skills and empathy. By incorporating My Feelings Faces into your sessions, you can provide a valuable tool for children to better understand and express their feelings, making emotional learning both enjoyable and impactful.

About

Summary: Francis overcomes his fear of Halloween by expressing his feelings to his friends.

Synopsis: Francis dreads Halloween and is anxious about attending Fright Night with his friends, who are excited about the spooky event. Despite his reluctance, he tries to fit in but ultimately confides in his dad about his fears. Encouraged by his dad, Francis opens up to his friends, who understand and accept his feelings. They reassure him that it's okay to be scared and respect his wish to skip Fright Night, strengthening their friendship and showing the importance of honesty and understanding.

Themes:  The story explores themes of fear, courage, honesty, and friendship. It highlights the importance of recognizing and expressing one's fears, the value of supportive and understanding friends, and the courage it takes to be honest about one's feelings. The narrative also emphasizes empathy and the acceptance of different comfort levels among friends.

Using Fright Night in Session

Therapists can use "Fright Night" to help children understand the importance of expressing their fears and being honest with their friends. Discussing Francis’s feelings and his eventual decision to talk to his friends can teach children about the value of open communication. Role-playing scenarios can help children practice expressing their fears and seeking support. The story also provides an opportunity to discuss empathy, understanding, and respecting others' boundaries.

Discussion Questions:
    1. How did Francis feel about Halloween and why?
    2. What did Francis do when he felt scared about Fright Night?
    3. How did Francis’s dad help him with his fear?
    4. Why is it important to talk about your fears with friends?
    5. How did Francis’s friends react when he told them about his feelings?
    6. Can you think of a time when you were scared to tell someone how you felt? What happened?
    7. How can you be a good friend to someone who is scared or anxious?
    8. Why is it important to respect other people's feelings and boundaries?