Come, follow me. Prevention S7
PREVENTION SKILL: Break Problems into Small Pieces
Mindful Minutes “Square Breathing” Activity.
Use anytime you need to reduce stress, manage anxiety, improve focus, promote relaxation, such as before important events, or as part of your daily routine. Helps calm the nervous system by regulating your breath and lowering your heart rate.
Step 1: Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Slowly inhale through your nose while counting to four. Imagine drawing the first side of a square as you breathe in.
Step 2: Hold your breath for a count of four. Visualize drawing the second side of the square during this pause.
Step 3: Slowly exhale through your mouth while counting to four. Picture drawing the third side of the square as you breathe out.
Step 4: Hold your breath again for a count of four. Complete the square by imagining drawing the fourth side during this pause.
Step 5: Repeat Steps 1 through 4 for two minutes.
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GROUP SHARING Section – Maximum time 20 minutes
Let’s check in and share how your week went. This is a safe, supportive space where we can encourage each other and focus on positive steps forward. You’re invited to share for 3 to 5 minutes about anything you’re working on with your children. Feel free to talk about:
· Any challenges you faced, and how you handled them,
· What experience did you have practicing CRAFTConnect principles and skills?
· How did your Family Chat go? What did you learn?
· What did you do to purposefully take care of yourself and show self-compassion?
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LEARN SECTION – Maximum time 30 minutes
1. Change is not something that happens overnight. Today, you will learn how to help your children make good changes by making small changes that can lead to big changes. Your goal for your children is to help them choose a life without unwanted behaviors. By breaking down bigger challenges into smaller steps, you can support their progress. With patience and consistency, small efforts grow into lasting positive habits. To help you and them, you need to plan.
Talk About It: Can you share a story about a time you made a positive change in your life using a written plan? Maybe in sports, school, or friendships?
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2. Planning helps you know what we want to change about your child’s unwanted behavior. Plans are built around problem areas that your child is struggling with. They cannot be vague, they must be specific. The first step in planning to change is to identify what the problem is, what you want to be different in your child’s life. When you get specific, you can use that information to set goals or steps in the plan and then and then objectives or specific actions that your child needs to do which you can visibly see.
3. Remember to focus on the problem area, not its symptoms. Problem solving is a process that takes time and patience. The idea that there are simple, one-shot solutions to problems can present a tremendous barrier to the focused, difficult, and time-consuming process that solving some problems can require. Let's go through the eight steps of the “I Can Solve Problems” Worksheet and talk about each step.
Step 1: What is the Problem? Think of a small, specific behavior you want to help your child change. Talk About It: Why is it helpful to break big problems into smaller specific ones?
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Step 2: Check the Facts. Make sure the facts are correct. If not, go back to Step 1. Talk About It: Why is it important to check the facts?
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Step 3: Set Goals. What does you or your child need to do to change? Goals are the big changes we want. Talk About It: Why do you think setting goals is important for achieving success?
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4. Step 4: Brainstorm specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (S-M-A-R-T) objectives to achieve their goals. Talk About It: What are the benefits of brainstorm specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (S-M-A-R-T) objectives to achieve their goals. Talk About It: What is it about S-M-A-R-T goals that are helpful in achieving success?
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Step 5: Choose the three best actions. Think about what might stop you from doing these actions and how to overcome those problems. Talk About It: Why is it important to think about obstacles to changing?
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Step 6: Pick one objective or action to try. Talk About It: Why is it important to give your attention and effort to a single task?
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5. Step 7: Decide how to measure success. Talk About It: How does providing clear criteria for evaluating progress improve effectiveness?
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Step 8: Try it like a scientist. Keep track of how it works. Don’t try to solve all the behavior problems at once. Focus on problem, one goal, one objective or action actions. Once you see progress, you can look at other unwanted behaviors and set new goals. Change takes time.
Talk About It: Why is it important to trying and adjusting your plans?
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MY COMMITMENTS Section
These are our group commitments, we will start the next CRAFT Connect session by reporting on them. This week I will:
A. Hold the “Family Chat: Steps to Musical Success” or alternative “The Honey Jar” Family Chat for younger children.
· Refer to the “I Can Solve Problems Worksheet”.
B. Do the in-between session assignments.
· Identify one thing you want to be different. Use the “I Can Solve Problems Worksheet” to start planning to change.
C. Show kindness to myself by having self-compassion and taking care of myself.
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FAMILY CHAT FOR OLDER CHILDREN: Steps to Musical Success
Mindful Minutes “Square Breathing” Activity. Use anytime you need to reduce stress, manage anxiety, improve focus, promote relaxation, such as before important events, or as part of your daily routine. Helps calm the nervous system by regulating your breath and lowering your heart rate.
Step 1: Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Slowly inhale through your nose while counting to four. Imagine drawing the first side of a square as you breathe in.
Step 2: Hold your breath for a count of four. Visualize drawing the second side of the square during this pause.
Step 3: Slowly exhale through your mouth while counting to four. Picture drawing the third side of the square as you breathe out.
Step 4: Hold your breath again for a count of four. Complete the square by imagining drawing the fourth side during this pause.
Step 5: Repeat Steps 1 through 4 for two minutes.
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Read: Today, we are going to learn about how to help us make positive changes by breaking down problems into smaller pieces. Change is a process that takes effort. We will talk about making plans, setting goals, and taking small steps to reach bigger changes. Let’s get started with a story.
One night after watching an amazing music video Kristin got an idea: “I want to teach myself to play the guitar.” The next day she shared that dream with her mother Susan. At first the instrument seemed rather overwhelming, and there were moments when she felt like giving up altogether. Sensing Kristin's frustration, Susan, who loved to make plans that helped solve problems, said, “Kristin, let’s set small goals and work on them together.” They began by Kristin practicing for just 10 minutes each day. Kristin found these brief sessions much more manageable. With Susan’s gentle encouragement, she began to notice little improvements. As the weeks passed, Kristin’s confidence began to soar. She no longer wanted to quit but eagerly looked forward to her daily guitar-playing time. Susan cheered her progress, celebrating each correct chord and smoother melody. Soon, Kristin could play her first complete song without any mistakes. Her face lit up with joy as she realized how far she had come. With determination and Susan's unwavering support, Kristin continued to grow as a guitarist. She discovered a passion that filled her heart with music, and their relationship grew even stronger through these harmonious moments.
Talk About It: What did you learn from that story? (Chose three discussion questions to encourage children to reflect on and apply the story’s lessons to their own experience.)
· Imagine trying to learn how to play an instrument in one day. Why do you think breaking big problems into smaller parts makes them easier to handle?
· A plan is where we want to end up, like Kristin’s dream of teaching herself to play the guitar.
· A goal is the steps we take to complete the plan, like the path we follow. Example: "I want to play my favorite song."
· Objectives are specific things we need to do to achieve our goals, like little tasks we can observe, Example: "I will practice for 10 minutes every day."
· When we break a big plan into smaller goals and objectives, we can focus on one thing at a time. This helps us not to feel overwhelmed and makes it easier to see our progress.
· Why do you think celebrating small achievements was important for Kristin’s progress? What can we learn from Kristin and Susan about trying new things and not giving up?
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Problem Solving Activity
Materials Needed: Paper, pens or pencils.
Preparation: Print out and post the “I Can Solve Problems” Worksheet, refer to it during this activity
Instructions: Give each person a worksheet or piece of paper. Ask them to write two ‘not okay’ action problems they have and how they want to change (Step 1). Example: "I get angry when I can't play my favorite game. I want to stay calm when I can't play my game." Talk with one another to make sure the problem they wrote down is real (Step 2). Then set an achievable goal (Step 3) and one idea (Step 5) to help solve the problem.
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Read: Breaking down big problems into smaller parts helps us make positive changes. Like with Kristin and Susan, planning and taking small steps can lead to big improvements. This week we will try to work on making a plan to help our family make positive changes.
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FAMILY CHAT FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN: The Honey Jar with “Winnie-the-Pooh”
Read: Today, we are going to learn about how to help us make positive changes by breaking down what we think are big problems into smaller steps. Let’s get started with a story inspired by A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh characters.
One fine day in the Hundred Acre Wood, Winnie the Pooh faced a big problem: his honey jar was empty. “Oh bother,” sighed Pooh. “Where am I going to find more honey?” He decided to visit Rabbit for help. “Rabbit, my honey jar is empty, and I don’t know how to fill it.” Rabbit thought for a moment. “Finding a whole jar of honey can seem daunting. But if we break it down into smaller steps, it might be easier.” Pooh tilted his head. “Smaller steps?” “Yes,” Rabbit replied. “First, we need to find the bees. Then, we need to see if they have honey. Finally, we’ll figure out how to get some without bothering them.”Pooh nodded. They went to see Christopher Robin, who suggested looking for a beehive in the big oak tree near Owl’s house. They walked to the oak tree and spotted a buzzing beehive. “Pooh, you’re the bravest. Can you check if they have honey?” Christopher Robin asked. Pooh climbed the tree and saw the honey glistening inside the hive. “They have honey!” he called down. “Now, how do we get it without getting stung?” Rabbit wondered. Christopher Robin suggested gathering flowers to distract the bees. They placed the flowers away from the hive, and while the bees investigated, Pooh carefully took some honey and filled his jar. With his full jar, Pooh smiled. “Thank you, Rabbit and Christopher Robin. Breaking the problem into smaller steps really helped.”
Talk About It: What did you learn from that story? (Chose three discussion questions to encourage children to reflect on and apply the story’s lessons to their own experience.)
· What did Pooh learn from Rabbit about solving problems? How can breaking a big problem into smaller steps help us?
· How did Pooh, Rabbit, and Christopher Robin help each other to find the honey? Why is working together important when we have a challenge?
· Pooh had to be brave to climb the tree and look in the beehive. Can you think of a time when you had to be brave? How did you feel afterward?
· Why was it important for Pooh and his friends to be patient when trying to get the honey? How can being patient help us in our daily lives?
· How did the friendship between Pooh, Rabbit, and Christopher Robin help them solve the problem? What makes someone a good friend?
· At the end of the story, Pooh and his friends enjoyed honey together. Why is it important to celebrate our successes, even the small ones? How do you like to celebrate when you achieve something?
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ACTIVITY
Materials Needed: Paper, pens or pencils.
Instructions: Ask a player to describe a ‘not okay’ action problem they have. Example: "I get angry when I can't play my favorite game." Talk with one another to make sure their problem is real. Then that player describes what they want to change. Example: "I want to stay calm when I can't play my favorite game." Every player gets a chance to describe a ‘not okay’ action and what they want to change.
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Read: This week let's talk about how we can make a plan to help our family change. Breaking down big problems into smaller parts helps us make positive changes. Like with Pooh and Rabbit’s planning, taking small steps can lead to big improvements like a jar full of honey.
Let’s repeat together the Winnie-the-Pooh cheer -- “Always remember, you’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and more loved than you know.
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I CAN SOLVE PROBLEMS WORKSHEET
This worksheet will help you think about problem solving step by step. Remember, solving problems takes time and effort. It’s okay to try different ways to find a solution!
Step 1: What is the Problem? Write down one thing you want to change or be different in your life.
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Step 2: Check the Facts. Is this really a problem? Are you understanding the situation correctly? Could there be other ways to look at it? If you think it’s a problem, rewrite it more clearly. If not, go back to Step 1 and decide on another problem to solve.
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Step 3: Set Your Goal. What goal will help you fix this problem? Make it simple and something you can actually do.
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Step 4: Brainstorm Solutions. Think of as many ideas as you can to reach your goal. Don’t worry about whether they’re good or bad! You can also ask family and friends for their ideas.
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Step 5: Choose Your Best Solutions. Pick the three best ideas that could help you reach your goal. Write down the good things and challenges about each one.
Idea #1. Good things:
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Idea #1. Challenges:
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Idea #2. Good things:
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Idea #2. Challenges:
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Idea #3: Good things:
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Idea #3. Challenges:
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Step 6: Make a Plan. Choose one idea to work on. When will you start? Write down the steps you need to take.
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Step 7: Measure Your Progress. How will you check if you are doing well? When will you look at your progress? Choose a date to see how things are going.
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Step 8: Think About How It Went, How did it go? What problems or surprises did you face? What choices did you make? If this idea helped you reach your goal, celebrate your success! If not, go back to Step 5, pick a new idea, and repeat Steps 6, 7, and 8. Remember that solving problems takes time.
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