GETTING THE GROUP GOING

Running the child anxiety group was always a highlight of my week.  First of all, we called the group, very appropriately, COOL KIDS.  So right away the kids loved being a part of it.  After we covered our lessons on, "what are feelings", and more in depth on the feeling of "anxious" or "worried", I use a lesson called, "The 3 parts to anxiety".  This explains to kids that you feel anxiety in your body, in your thoughts and in your actions.  This is the CBT underpinnings of this program.

To see this product in my Teachers Pay Teachers store,click on the image

Next we introduced the concept of varying degrees of feelings by using a thermometer.  It was color coded, had numbers and pictures to insure that our guys were able to understand.  We also attached a bead with a string so the kids could easily move it up and down without having to say anything.  This also demonstrated the concept that feelings can get more intense, but they can also decrease.We practiced using this in group for a variety of make believe situations.  Then we used it throughout the day in the classroom, checking in to try and make sure our kids could demonstrate how to use it.

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Next we took an inventory of what our kiddos could identify as being anxiety provoking.  This was to be used to customize our lessons and work with the parents.  We did this by circling the images that represented scary things from a series of images.  However, some of the guys wanted to circle everything, so for my little guys or my early learners, we used it more like a game. 

Depending on level of functioning, student either circled the image or used
them to play the game.  CLICK ON THIS IMAGE TO SEE THIS PRODUCT IN MY TpT STORE.

HERE'S HOW WE PLAYED THE GAME

Cut out the pictures in the first 7 pages of the above document, being sure to include the picture and the caption together. Next cut out the 3 different circles with the captions “a little or not really”, “some” and “a lot”. Use a container, such as small buckets or boxes and attach one label on each container. Cut out the practice items. Using these, explain to your student that there are some things that I like “a little or not really”, “some” and “a lot”. Show each practice item to your student and place it one at a time in the container labeled, “a little or not really”, “some” and “a lot”, depending on your preference. Now ask the student to do the same with the practice items (ice cream, broccoli, onions) Once you have determined your student is able to understand the exercise, move on to the items under “What makes you worry?” Give one picture at a time to the student and allow him to place the image in the container corresponding to how worried it makes them feel.

Don't forget to do your confidentiality!