Athletics & Wellness
Grade 4
45 min
Thinking Power: Flipping Worried Thoughts
This lesson teaches you how to be a 'thought detective' and flip your worried thoughts into helpful ones. Learning this skill helps you feel calmer and more in charge of your feelings.
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What & Why
Sometimes our brains have worried thoughts, like little storm clouds that make us feel sad, scared, or angry. These thoughts can feel very real, but they are often not 100% true!Learning to 'flip' them means changing them into more helpful or realistic thoughts. When you change your thought, you can change your feeling, which helps you handle challenges and feel better.
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Example 1 — The Test Worry
Situation: You have a big math test tomorrow.Worried Thought: "I'm going to fail for sure. I'm just bad at math."Feeling: Scared, stomach ache.How to Flip It:Catch it: "Oops, that's a worried thought."Check it: "Is it 100% true I'll fail? No, I studied last night. I understood the homework."Flip it: "This test might be hard, but I've prepared. I will try my best on every problem."New Feeling: Calmer, more ready to try.
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Example 2 — The Friendship Worry
Situation: Your best friend played with someone else at recess.Worried Thought: "She doesn't want to be my friend anymore. I did something wrong."Feeling: Sad, lonely, confused.How to Flip It:Catch it: "My brain is jumping to the worst idea."Check it: "Is there another reason? Maybe they just wanted to play tag today. We are still friends."Flip it: "I feel a little left out. I can ask to join their game, or I can find something else fun to do and we can play tomorrow."New Feeling: Less sad, more in control.
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Beginner
What is the main idea of 'flipping a thought'?
A.Changing a worried thought into a more helpful one.
B.Ignoring all your feelings so they go away.
C.Only thinking happy thoughts all day long.
D.Telling your friends all your worries.
Beginner
Leo is nervous for his first sleepover. He thinks, 'What if I miss my parents and can't sleep?' What is a helpful thought he could flip to?
A.I should just stay home so I don't feel worried.
B.It's okay to feel a little nervous. I can bring my favorite book and know that my friend is there with me.
C.My friends will think I'm a baby for being nervous.
D.Sleepovers are for other kids, not me.
Beginner
What is the FIRST step to flipping a worried thought?
A.Immediately telling a grown-up.
B.Taking three deep breaths.
C.Noticing that you are having a worried thought.
D.Finding a new activity to do.
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