“First Aid for Feelings Life Lessons for Children”

Kay Nordgren

MSUM Intern

Nicollet Junior High

Burnsville, Minnesota

Description of the Lesson

First Aid for Feelings is a work book lesson created by Denise Daniels for use with children that are dealing with a grief and loss from a tragedy. This lesson can be used with children to improve their communication and to encourage their expression of feelings associated with fear, loss, and change. The lesson takes about an hour to teach. The materials needed for this lesson is the First Aid for Feelings workbook for each student. See references near the end of this document for an address, phone number, and web site to obtain workbooks.

The lesson begins by having students draw or write about a change that they have experienced in their life. The counselor can ask for volunteers to show and share some of their thoughts and pictures after each example or question. Next, the lesson has kids tell their own story about what happened on September 11 (or can be another disaster or death of a student). Third the workbook teaches students about different feeling words and then has students tell what they are feeling. Some examples given are sad, worried, surprised, lonely, anxious, tired, nervous, scared, helpless, guilty, numb, etc. Fourth, it has students tell about their own grief or someone else that they know who is grieving.

Next, the workbook gives students ideas on what they can do to say good-bye to someone that has died. Some examples are visiting the cemetery, drawing a picture, praying, keeping a momento, making a scrapbook, etc. Sixth, the work book gives students suggestions for dealing with anger and then leaves room for students to come up with their own ideas. Seventh, the workbook teaches students how to share their feelings. Next, there is a letter that students can write a letter to the President and Mrs. Bush about September 11 (or could be used to write to the parents of a classmate, etc).

Next, it gives examples of people that students can go to if they have a question about what happened. Tenth, the workbook informs students of all the different people trying to help with the events on September 11^th and then leaves room for children to name some good people that they know. Eleventh, it gives some ideas for children to keep safe and then leaves room for students to come up with their own ideas. Next, it gives ideas for volunteering then leaves space for students to come up with other ideas. In addition, it gives space for students to list all the people who care about them. Next, it has students draw or write about fun things that they like to do. In addition, it has students come up with some ideas to plan what they want to do in the near future. Lastly, the workbook has students write about their dreams, hopes, and wishes for the future. The students can then share each of their ideas .

Connections to Minnesota Graduation Standards

This lesson on feelings, grief, and disaster relates to the required Profile of Learning number 8 (Physical Education and Lifetime Fitness). The specific standard covered is Individual and Community Health. Students are taught an understanding of their feelings dealing with grief and loss from a tragic event. Also, to develop good decision making skills that enables students to choose alternatives that are healthy when dealing with grief and loss.

References and Resources

Daniels, D. (2001). First Aid for Feelings Life Lessons for Children.

http://mankato.msus.edu/csp/Resources/SampleGuidance/eletest/students/kay.htm

Burnsville, Minnesota

Website for First Aid for Feelings workbooks can be found at www.toysrus.com