Hopscotch Play Guides

About

Summary: Rowan learns about friendship and promises after being disappointed by her friend Grant.

Synopsis: On a sunny day at the playground, Rowan and her friends, Sammie and Grant, decide to try skateboarding. Despite initial nervousness, Rowan and Sammie have fun learning. Grant promises to give Rowan lessons but forgets twice, leaving Rowan disappointed. Sammie cheers Rowan up with her new skateboard, and they practice together. When Grant finally arrives, Rowan calmly expresses her feelings, and Grant apologizes. They all reconcile and enjoy skateboarding together, strengthening their friendship.

Themes:  The story explores themes of friendship, disappointment, communication, and forgiveness. It highlights the importance of keeping promises and how breaking them can affect relationships. The narrative also emphasizes the value of expressing feelings calmly and respectfully, and how genuine apologies and understanding can mend hurt feelings and strengthen bonds.

Using Skateboard Buddies in Session

Therapists can use "Skateboard Buddies" to help children understand the impact of their actions on others and the importance of keeping promises. Discussing Rowan's feelings and her approach to addressing disappointment can teach children how to communicate their emotions effectively. Role-playing scenarios from the story can help children practice expressing their feelings and apologizing sincerely. The story also provides an opportunity to discuss problem-solving and finding alternative ways to have fun when plans change unexpectedly.

Discussion Questions:
    1. How did Rowan feel when Grant forgot about their skateboarding lessons?
    2. Why is it important to keep promises?
    3. How did Rowan express her feelings to Grant, and why was this a good way to handle the situation?
    4. How did Sammie help Rowan when she was feeling disappointed?
    5. Can you think of a time when you felt disappointed by a friend? How did you handle it?
    6. What can you do if a friend breaks a promise to you?
    7. How did Grant's apology help to resolve the situation?
    8. Why is it important to express your feelings calmly and respectfully?

About

Summary: Leila feels nervous about her first day of school, but learns to manage her anxiety with the help of her sister and a kind teacher.

Synopsis: Leila experiences anxiety about starting school again after a fun summer. Her sister Tammy notices her discomfort and explains the concept of "back-to-school butterflies," helping Leila recognize her worries. At school, a kind teacher named Mrs. Tuttleston reassures her, and Leila makes a new friend, Amari, who also feels nervous. By the end of the day, Leila learns to manage her anxiety and finds joy in new friendships and experiences.

Themes:  The story explores themes of anxiety, coping strategies, empathy, and resilience. It highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing feelings of worry, using mindfulness techniques like deep breathing, and finding support through social connections. The narrative also emphasizes the value of kindness and understanding in easing transitions and building new relationships.

Using Back to School Butterflies in Session

Therapists can use "Back to School Butterflies" to help children identify and express their feelings of anxiety. By discussing Leila’s experiences, children can relate their own worries and learn to recognize similar emotions in themselves. The story introduces coping strategies, such as deep breathing, which therapists can practice with children to help them manage their anxiety. Additionally, role-playing scenarios based on the story can help children rehearse calming techniques in a safe environment. The narrative also fosters empathy, as children see how Leila and Amari support each other, encouraging discussions about how they can support friends who feel nervous or scared.

Discussion Questions:
1. How did Leila feel about going back to school, and why?
2. What are "back-to-school butterflies," and have you ever felt them?
3. How did Tammy help Leila feel better about her first day?
4. What did Leila do when she felt nervous in the classroom?
5. How did meeting Amari help Leila feel less anxious?
6. Why is it important to talk about your worries with someone you trust?
7. Can you think of a time when you felt nervous like Leila? What helped you feel better?
8. What are some ways you can help a friend who is feeling nervous or scared?

About

Description: Feelings with Captain Francis is an engaging narrated click-through activity designed to help kids explore and understand their emotions. Featuring 16 feelings words, each with kid-friendly definitions and themed examples, this activity supports emotional literacy and self-awareness. By learning about different emotions and how to identify them, children can better express themselves and navigate their feelings. This tool is particularly helpful in therapy, as it provides a fun and interactive way for kids to discuss and process their emotions, fostering healthy emotional development and communication skills.

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Feelings Identification, Social Awareness, Feelings Exploration, Empathy and Understanding

Using Feelings with Captain Francis in Session

Discuss feelings

Begin by introducing the activity to the child. Explain that "Feelings with Captain Francis" is a fun and interactive way to learn about different emotions. Tell them that Captain Francis will guide them through various feelings, teaching them what each one means and how to recognize it in themselves and others. Emphasize that understanding these emotions can help them better express themselves and handle their feelings.

Starting the activity

Launch the activity and navigate through the initial screens with the child.  Allow them to get acquainted with Captain Francis and the layout of the activity. Explain how they will click through different sections to learn about each emotion. Make sure they understand how to interact with the activity.  Your client can move forward and back by clicking the left and right arrows.  This allows them to navigate through the activity on their own.   

Each page includes a feelings description, definition, and example.

Exploring feelings words
Guide the child through the 16 feelings words presented in the activity. For each word, read the definition aloud and discuss the example provided. Encourage the child to share their own experiences related to each feeling. Ask open-ended questions like, "Have you ever felt this way?" or "What happened when you felt like this?" This helps the child connect the feelings to their own life and deepen their understanding.

This activity can also be used to explore social cues such as body language and facial expressions.  Ask the child how they might know a character is feeling the way that they are.

Wrapping up
After completing the activity, take some time to reflect on what the child has learned. Discuss which feelings were new to them and which ones they already knew. Ask questions to prompt further reflection, such as "Which feeling did you find the most interesting?" or "Can you remember a recent time when you felt one of these emotions?"

Help the child apply their new knowledge to real-life situations. Discuss how they can use what they've learned to express their feelings more clearly and understand others better. Role-play different scenarios where they might need to recognize or express an emotion. 

Related resources

In the Hopscotch Play Print section, you will find a PDF that contains the 16 different feelings words learned from the activity.

About

Description: The Playground is a space where kids can select characters, objects, and backgrounds to craft their own unique scenes. It's a place where they can express their creativity and storytelling skills by mixing and matching the provided elements.  Similar to a digital sandtray, The Playground has numerous therapeutic applications. Therapists can use it to help clients recreate scenes, express themselves in a safe environment, tell stories, teach social skills, explore family dynamics, and process and understand emotions. This activity supports emotional and cognitive development through imaginative play and narrative creation. 

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Imaginative Play, Self-Awareness, Empathy and Understanding, Identity and Self-Discovery, Role-playing

Using The Playground in Session

*Due to the number of creative assets available in the Playground, it may take 30-45 seconds to load on first open.

Explore the library

The Playground has a vast library of elements that the client can scroll through.  Exploring the elements helps make the client aware of where they can find what they need before getting started.

Backgrounds: Bedrooms, backgrounds, outdoors, classroom, sandtray +more

Animals: Frog, dog, cat, fish, lion, +more

Buildings: Bookstore, post office, school, castle, bank, +more

Fantasy: Unicorn, witch, princess, dragon, narwhal, +more

Food: Apple, watermelon, bread, donut, pizza, +more

Furniture: Chairs, mirror, microwave, desk, trash can, couch, +more

Nature: Flower, leaves, mushroom, acorn, rainbow, +more

People: A diverse group of characters of different skin tones, ages, and abilities

Toys: Cards, rocking horse, soccer ball, video game, doll, +more

Vehicles: School bus, helicopter, car, submarine, airplane, +more

Miscellaneous: Whisk, rocking chair, hook, tools, crayons, etc.

Identify prompt for client

Decide how you would like your client to utilize The Playground. Clicking on any of the elements will place them into canvas. Once there, the client can move, resize, flip, reorder, or delete the items. 

Download and Print
Within The Playground, you can download the scene created by your client. With the print, they can write more about the scene, adding details and expanding the story. Additionally, they have the option to create and print multiple scenes to compile into a storybook, enhancing their narrative and creative skills.

Growing library of assets

The Playground is an ever-expanding library of assets, continuously updated with new elements and categories to help kids express themselves in diverse and creative ways.  We work with a team of illustrators to create these assets, and we are always open to hearing from users about additional backgrounds or objects you would like to see.  You can do so by using the Vote for Features button or contacting us at support@joinhopscotch.com and letting us know.

About

Description: Sammie’s Sen5es is a fun adaptation of the 5-Senses grounding technique. The 5-Senses grounding technique is often used as a mindfulness tool to help kids manage feelings of anxiety or overwhelm by bringing their focus to their immediate surroundings.  In decreasing numeric order, kids are prompted to identify 5 things they can see, 4 things they can hear, 3 things they can touch, 2 things they can smell, and 1 thing they can taste.  By engaging each of their senses in this way, kids can shift their focus away from anxious thoughts and ground themselves in the present moment, which can help them feel calmer and more centered.

In Sammie's Sen5es, kids get to pick the order in which they use their senses, making it more tailored to their preferences. Plus, there's a fun timer to keep them motivated and make the activity feel like a game!

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Mindfulness, Anxiety Reduction, Emotional Regulation, Self-Awareness, Coping Strategies

Using Sammie’s Sen5es in Session

Introduce Grounding Techniques

Before using Sammie’s Sen5es, it’s helpful to review the definition and purpose of grounding techniques with your young client. Explain to the them that during moments of overwhelm or when experiencing BIG emotions, doing an activity like this one can help them feel calm, safe, and strong. One of the best things is that it can be done anywhere! 

Allow Client to Choose

With Sammie’s Sen5es, your client can choose the order that they would like to tap into their senses.  They can click on any sense button at the top to get started.

Time to Play!

Once a sense is selected, a visual and auditory timer appears on the screen.  As it goes, the client is encouraged to tap into their senses and name out loud what they can see, hear, feel, smell, or taste.  There is no penalty of consequence associated with the timer.  In between sense selection, encourage your client to share additional items they might have observed.  

Process

After the activity is over, your client may choose to play again.  You can also engage them in discussion using the following questions below:

1. What did you enjoy most about exploring your senses today?

2. Was there a sense that surprised you or felt different than usual?

3. How did focusing on your senses help you feel in the moment?

4. Can you think of a moment when using your senses like this might be helpful outside of session?

5. Is there a sense you'd like to explore more next time we do this activity?

Related Resources

In the Hopscotch Play Print section, you will find a PDF version of Sammie's Sen5es.  This is a great tool that you can print to send home with a client or send electronically to a caregiver.  The client can put this handout in their room, in a calm down corner, in a folder at school, or anywhere else for when they need a helping hand to calm down and refocus.

Incorporating Sammie’s Sen5es into your sessions can offer children a valuable tool for navigating moments of stress and overwhelm. By engaging with their senses in a playful and structured way, they can learn to ground themselves in the present moment, fostering feelings of calmness and centeredness. 

About

Description: This narrated click-through activity teaches kid-friendly yoga poses to encourage relaxation and mindfulness. Yoga has numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits for children. Physically, it enhances flexibility, strength, and coordination. Mentally, it promotes concentration and reduces stress. Emotionally, yoga helps children develop self-awareness and emotional regulation. By incorporating yoga into their routine, kids can learn to manage their emotions better, improve their focus, and build a healthy relationship with their bodies.

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Mindfulness, Coping Strategies, Anxiety Reduction, Relaxation Techniques, Self-Awareness

Using Yoga with Dakota in Session

Discuss the benefits of yoga

Discussing the benefits of yoga with a client before beginning this activity is important because it helps them understand what to expect and why they are doing it. It can make them more excited and motivated to participate, knowing that yoga can help them feel calm, strong, and focused. This understanding sets a positive tone for the activity and encourages them to fully engage with the practice.

"Yoga and stretching are like fun exercises that help your body feel strong and flexible, like a superhero! When you do yoga, you learn cool poses that make your muscles strong and stretchy. It also helps you feel calm and focused, like when you take deep breaths. Yoga can make you feel happy, focused, and relaxed, and it’s a great way to play and exercise at the same time. So, doing yoga with Dakota is a fun way to feel great inside and out!"

Begin Yoga with Dakota

Yoga with Dakota is a narrated and illustrated activity that will guide the client through 12 different kid-friendly yoga poses including:

🦋 Butterfly, ⛰️ Mountain, 🐍 Snake, 🌳 Tree, 🐕 Downward Dog, 🐈/🐄 Cat-cow, ✈️ Airplane, 🐸 Frog, 🦸🏽 Superhero, 👶🏼 Happy Baby, 🌉 Bridge, and ⭐ Starfish

Your client can move forward and back by clicking the left and right arrows.  This allows them to navigate through the activity on their own. 

Process
Talking to kids after yoga helps them understand how their bodies and minds feel during and after the activity. It gives them a chance to share their favorite parts, what they found challenging, and how yoga made them feel. This conversation helps them see the benefits of yoga, like feeling calm and relaxed, and encourages them to keep using yoga to handle stress or emotions in the future. Plus, it’s a great way to connect and listen to their thoughts and experiences!

1. How did you feel before and after doing yoga?

2. Which yoga pose was your favorite, and why? Which ones did you find challenging?

3. Can you describe how your body felt during the stretches?

4. How did focusing on your breathing make you feel?

5. What thoughts went through your mind while you were doing yoga?

6. Did any pose make you feel especially calm or happy?

7. How do you think yoga can help you when you’re feeling stressed or upset?

8. Would you like to practice yoga again? 

Related resources

In the Hopscotch Play Print section, you will find a PDF that contains the different Dakota poses from the activity.