Hey Feelings - Emotion World / Fear

What does fear feel like in your body?

Maybe your heart beats fast, or your tummy feels funny?
Do you feel shaky, or does your breathing change?
Where in your body do you notice fear the most?

Look at the board and point out something that might be scary. Ask the group to help you make it less scary.

Eg, “The shadows look spooky, but maybe they’re just from the lamp!”. Sometimes, when we look closely, things aren't as scary as they seem!

What kinds of things make you feel scared?

Maybe something you see, hear, or think about?
Is it during the day, at night, or in certain places?
It could be real things or things from your imagination

When you feel scared, what do you do?

Do you hide, run to someone, or stay very still?
Maybe you close your eyes or hold onto something?
Everyone reacts differently when they're scared

If fear was an animal, what animal would it be?

Would it be a big animal or a small one?
Would it be fast, slow, loud, or quiet?
What would this fear animal look like?

What makes you feel brave when you're scared?

Maybe a special toy, a person, or a safe place?
Do you have a way to calm yourself down?
What helps you remember that you're safe?

If your friend was feeling scared, how would you help them feel better?

Would you stay with them or give them a hug?
What kind words would you say to help them?
Maybe you'd help them find a grown-up or do something fun together?

Look at the board and choose one animal that would be the best companion in this spooky setting. Explain why.

Eg, “I’d pick a bat because it can fly silently at night.”

Pick a character on the board and act out how they might feel. Let the group guess who it is.

Focus on their facial expressions and gestures.

Who do you like to talk to when you feel scared? Name one person.

It could be someone like a parent, teacher, or friend.

Tell a short story about a time when fear turned out to be helpful for you or someone else. If you find it hard to think of something, ask the group for suggestions.

Eg, “I was scared to perform in a play, but it made me practice more, and the performance turned out great!”

All players make very scary faces in 3... 2... 1... Go!

Pretend to drink a magic potion that makes you brave. Show your superhero pose to the group, and let them guess your superpowers!

You could pretend to fly or show off super-strong fists.

Show how you calm yourself down when you’re scared. If you’re unsure, your group can share their calming strategies.

It could be hugging a blanket, taking a deep breath, or counting backward from ten.

Think of a friendly monster and describe it to the group.

Eg, “It has soft fur, big round eyes, and always smiles to make me feel safe.”

As a group, create a "Monster Dance" together. Make it as silly as you can!

Try stomping like a giant or waving your arms like a ghost.

Make a scared face and then a calm face. Let the group describe the changes they see.

Pay attention to the eyes and mouth. Do they open wide or relax?

As a team, choose colors representing fear and explain why you picked them.

For example, black because it's like the dark, or red like an alarm.

Sense the spooky atmosphere and tell us what scares you. It's okay, we're all friends here!

It could be a spider, or a shadow that looks like a monster.

Show the group what you do when you’re afraid.

You could hide your face in your hands, or stand completely still.

Close your eyes and think of a brave animal. Describe it so the group can guess what it is!

Think about an animal that protects its family and faces challenges with courage. What kind of sounds might it make?