Keeping It Cool: Skills for Coping with Change
#2 of 6 in Kids Healthy Coping Skills Series
What’s inside...
Keeping it Cool explores numerous ways children can adjust to change, express feelings, and practice healthy coping skills. This enjoyable and relatable book teaches effective coping strategies and how adjusting to change impacts feelings, time spent with others, and daily routines. Keeping it Cool offers ideas for children to model and is an excellent choice to encourage social emotional skills and emotional awareness in children.
Discussion points
How do you feel when something unexpected happens? Can you share an example?
What are some ways the characters in the book handled changes? Which way do you think you would try?
Why do you think it's important to stay calm during change?
Can you think of a time when a change led to something really good?
How can we support each other when we are going through changes?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the discussion in a comfortable, quiet environment to ensure your child feels safe to express their thoughts and feelings.
Relate the scenarios in the book to real-life situations your child may face to help them connect with the material.
Praise your child’s responses and encourage further thinking by asking follow-up questions related to their answers.
Remind your child that it's okay to feel different emotions about change and emphasize that adapting is a skill they can learn over time.
Encourage your child to ask you about how you handle change, making the conversation a two-way exchange and deepening the engagement.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Change
Explanation: The story highlights the adventures of a group of animal friends who learn to adapt when their environment changes unexpectedly.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to remain flexible and positive when facing new situations at school or home.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The characters in the book come together to brainstorm and implement solutions when faced with challenges.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and collaboratively solve problems they encounter in group settings or personal projects.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Throughout the tale, the characters experience setbacks but continue to persevere and eventually overcome the obstacles.
Real-World Application: Children can be inspired to persist through difficulties in their own lives, understanding that setbacks can be learning opportunities.
Example Lesson: Supporting Others
Explanation: The book shows how the characters support each other emotionally through their adjustment to change, reinforcing the value of empathy.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the importance of being supportive friends and empathizing with peers during times of transition.