'Tame Badgering Thoughts': Challenging and Exploring Unhelpful Thoughts
This thought-challenging activity is a popular one in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: challenging unhelpful thoughts and turning those negative thoughts into more positive, helpful thoughts. This activity has been simplified to be used by Practitioners, Teachers, Parents, and ELSAs.
It encourages the child to think about their thought in new ways. We can give our unhelpful thoughts (the Badger) a name! We can work to reframe our unhelpful thoughts (Badgering Thoughts) into Helpful Thoughts (Positive and Supportive).
How could this resource be used?
- To support with exploring unhelpful thoughts.
- To help with changing children’s thoughts from negative ones into positive ones through positive self-talk and affirmations.
- To support with self-regulation.
Relevant Curriculum Links:
England PSHE – Which statutory PSHE curriculum* objectives does this resource fall into? *in line with the PSHE Association 2021 Statutory Guidance.
- KS1:H18 – different things they can do to manage big feelings, to help calm themselves down and/or change their mood when they don’t feel good.
- KS2: H16 – about strategies and behaviours that support mental health.
- KS2: H20 – strategies to respond to feelings, including intense or conflicting feelings; how to manage and respond to feelings appropriately and proportionately in different situations.
- KS2: H29. about how to manage setbacks/perceived failures, including how to re-frame unhelpful thinking.
Scottish Health and Wellbeing Curriculum Outcome(s):
- Mental and Emotional Wellbeing:
- I understand the importance of mental wellbeing and that this can be fostered and strengthened through personal coping skills and positive relationships. I know that it is not always possible to enjoy good mental health and that if this happens there is support available. HWB 0-06a / HWB 1-06a / HWB 2-06a / HWB 3-06a / HWB 4-06a.
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