The best way to show school-age children how to cope with stress is to model healthy behaviors. In this activity you will think about ways you deal with stress and how your behaviors can help school-age children learn to cope with stress in a healthy way.

1. You have had a difficult morning. You woke up late and ran into heavy traffic on your way to work. By the time you arrive at your school-age program for before school activities you are feeling very stressed! What would you do? What could children learn from this or how could you use this scenario to teach coping methods?

   Before leaving my car that morning, I might take a few moments to collect myself and do some breathing exercises.

   This might show children not to let little things stress them out. I could teach them how to stop and do a breathing exercise if they are feeling overwhelmed or upset.
2. You are dealing with a child who is having difficulties listening to your directions and displaying appropriate behaviors. You have tried repeatedly to help them stay on task, but it doesn’t seem to be working. What would you do? What could children learn from this or how could you use this scenario to teach coping methods?

   I might ask another staff member to help with the situation or ask my supervisor to talk with the child. I would remain calm and not yell or become frustrated with the children.

   The children would see that I stayed calm and did not yell or get upset. This might show children how to deal with a difficult situation.
3. You are in the middle of demonstrating an art activity when the fire alarm goes off. You need to help the children exit the building as quickly and safely as possible. What would you do? What could children learn from this or how could you use this scenario to teach coping methods?
4. You have planned an outdoor field day for the school-age children. You just finishing setting up all of the activities when an unexpected thunderstorm rains out your plans. What would you do? What could children learn from this or how could you use this scenario to teach coping methods?