At any age, we feel better when we can have some sense of control. This exercise is focused on helping students identify what they can control, which build resilience and reduces anxiety.
1. Prompt
There is lots on the news about Covid-19, so we will spend a little time on it for the next few days. One of the silver linings in this is that kids are least apt to catch this flu, which is good news for you, and we’re all relieved about that.
In life there are always things we can control and things beyond our control. In this case, what we can control is to practice behaviors that give us the best chance of avoiding getting this sickness, and the best actions we can take so we don’t share our “germs” with others. We’re just going to take one minute for each person, so person A, with your one minute:
Talk about the things you know you need to do to minimize your chances of getting the virus or passing it on.
Remember, when I ring the bell, person B speaks and person A listens, and then I’ll let you know when you can have conversation. Person A, go ahead.
RIng the bell. Let person B speak for 2 minutes then ring the bell again to let person B speak for 2 minutes. Time them and ring the bell and help them trade roles,
2. Conversation
Ring the bell and instruct them to spend the next minute comparing their responses.
3. Daily Challenge
Raise your hands with ideas, and let’s see how long of a list we can make on the board.
Here are some you want to be sure they mention:
- Wash hands often. Spending at least 20 seconds.
- Cover coughs with a tissue, dispose of tissue, then wash hands
- Cough into your elbow
- Keep fingernails short so the virus (or “germs” for youngers) doesn’t have a hiding place
- Stay home if you’re even a little bit sick
Since we don’t have control over everything, this is a great time for us to take charge of what we can. Just washing hands cuts down the spread of disease. Think how much better when we do all of these!
