HOW TO MAKE A COPING STRATEGY

WHEELPurpose: Creating a coping strategy wheel can help us deal with our feelings when we are stressed, angry, worried, or sad. Learning healthy coping strategies is important so we can make good choices when we are upset. Once we use a coping strategy, we can begin to calm down and feel better again.

Items Needed for Activity: 2 sheets of paper A box of crayons or markers A pair of Scissors Coping strategy list below:

Color or DrawTake a Break Take 5 Deep BreathsSlowly count to 10Think of something happyTalk to an AdultGet a Drink of WaterExercise

Directions for the Activity:

Step 1: Draw a Large Circle Step 2: Inside the circle, draw a large X. You should have four large triangles.

Step 3: Cut out the Circle. Step 4: From the list below, write one coping strategy on each triangle and draw a picture.

Color or Draw Take a Break Take 5 Deep Breaths Slowly count to 10 Think of something happy Talk to an Adult Get a Drink of Water Exercise

Step 5: Now, we are going to create the top of the wheel.

Draw another circle of the same size on another sheet of paper.

Step 6: Cut out a triangle of the same size.

Step 7: Write these words on the top of the wheel: “MY COPING STRATEGIES”

Step 8: Place the top of the wheel sheet onto the other wheel.

Step 9: Insert a hole through both wheels with your scissors.

Step 10: Take a small piece of your scrap paper and twist it.

Step 11: Insert the twisted piece of paper through both holes of the wheel.

Step 12: Great Job! Now, practice using your Coping Strategies Wheel!