When I'm Upset: A Social Story for Managing Feelings

Purpose of Flashcards: "When I'm Upset" is a thoughtfully crafted social story designed to help children navigate and understand their feelings when they are upset. This resource uses a first-person narrative, allowing kids to see their own experiences reflected in the story, making it easier for them to relate and learn. Each page is accompanied by high-quality real images that depict everyday scenarios where a child might feel upset, helping them to connect emotionally and understand the steps they can take to manage their feelings. The social story is especially beneficial for children who struggle with emotional regulation, providing them with a gentle, supportive guide to expressing and coping with their emotions. It’s perfect for use at home, in classrooms, or as part of therapy sessions, offering a practical tool for parents, caregivers, and educators aiming to teach emotional literacy and self-management skills.

Product Details

Format: PDF

Total Pages: 6

Images: High-quality, real-life images for each statement, ensuring relatability.

Content: 2 statements per page, featuring realistic scenarios where a child might feel upset, alongside visuals that align with the narrative.

Features: Uses first-person language, real-life imagery, and relatable scenarios to engage children in learning how to manage their emotions when upset.

Educational Benefits

Emotional Recognition: Helps children recognize and label their feelings when they are upset, enhancing their emotional vocabulary.

Coping Strategies: Provides simple, actionable steps that children can follow when they feel upset, like taking deep breaths, talking to someone, or engaging in a calming activity.

Relatable Scenarios: Uses everyday situations that children commonly face, making it easier for them to connect with the story and apply the lessons in real life.

Visual Learning: Incorporates high-quality real images that align with each scenario, helping visual learners grasp the concepts more effectively.

Social-Emotional Learning: Encourages children to understand and manage their emotions, contributing to their overall social-emotional development and resilience.

Instructions for Use

Read Together: Sit with the child in a comfortable and calm setting. Read the story aloud, encouraging them to look at the images and engage with the narrative.

Pause and Discuss: After each page, pause to discuss the scenarios. Ask open-ended questions like, “Have you ever felt this way?” or “What would you do in this situation?”

Relate to Personal Experiences: Encourage the child to share their own experiences of feeling upset. This can help them connect the story to their own life and better understand their emotions.

Practice Coping Strategies: Use the story as a guide to practice coping strategies. For example, if the story suggests taking deep breaths, model this behavior with the child and let them try it themselves.

Repeat as Needed: The social story can be revisited anytime the child needs reassurance or a reminder of how to handle their emotions. Regular reading can help reinforce the strategies and make them second nature.

Integrate with Daily Routines: Use the social story during relevant moments, such as after a tantrum or when the child is visibly upset. It serves as a practical, immediate reference to help calm the situation.

Activities Using the Resource

Role-Playing Scenarios: After reading the social story, set up role-playing scenarios where the child pretends to be upset. Guide them through the steps in the story, such as taking deep breaths or talking to a trusted adult. You can also switch roles, allowing the child to guide you through what they learned, reinforcing the concepts. This activity helps the child practice coping strategies in a safe environment.

Feelings Matching Game: Create cards with images of different emotions and actions from the story. Have the child match the feeling (e.g., upset) with the appropriate coping action (e.g., deep breathing). Discuss why the action is helpful in managing that feeling. This activity helps enhance emotional recognition and vocabulary.

Story Drawing: Ask the child to draw their own version of a page from the story, illustrating a time when they felt upset and what they did to feel better. This helps personalize the lesson and solidifies their understanding of the coping strategies. The activity encourages self-expression and a personal connection to the story.

Calm Down Kit Creation: After reading the story, create a "Calm Down Kit" with the child, including items like a favorite toy, sensory objects, or a small version of the social story. Encourage them to use this kit when they start feeling upset as a tangible connection to the lessons learned. This activity equips the child with tools to self-regulate when feeling upset.

Emotion Chart: Work with the child to create an “Emotion Chart” that shows different feelings and matching strategies from the story. Place the chart in a visible spot, like their room or classroom, so they can refer to it when they feel upset. This will serve as a visual reminder of emotions and coping strategies, helping them manage their feelings more effectively.

Conclusion

"When I'm Upset" is a valuable tool designed to help children understand and manage their emotions. By presenting relatable scenarios and practical coping strategies, this social story empowers young readers to recognize their feelings and respond in constructive ways. With supportive guidance from parents, educators, or caregivers, children can learn to navigate their emotions confidently, fostering emotional resilience that will benefit them throughout their lives. This resource is more than just a story—it’s a bridge to better emotional health and understanding.