Fidget Spinner Emotions

Fidget Spinner Emotions

Fidget Spinners are all the rage, and now Fidget Spinner Emotions will let you use a fidget spinner to help kids better understand and deal with their emotions. With kids ranging from 10 into their upper teens, I have seen first hand how they are all drawn to fidget spinners, and truth-be-told, I have a collection of them myself (though I tell people it’s only because of my work with kids).

How it works

Fidget Spinner Emotions - Arrow Pointer

  1. Cut out the arrow pointer(s) you want to use.
  2. Cut out the dotted circle and place the arrow pointer over the center of your fidget spinner. Use a piece of tape to attach it to the fidget spinner.
  3. Place the fidget spinner over the gray fidget spinner outline in the middle of the emotions circle.
  4. Spin the fidget spinner. When it stops, do one of the following based on the emotion the spinner lands on:
    • See It:  What emotion is represented? The pdf file (click the picture above) includes a template with and without the emotion words included. Once kids are comfortable with the emotions shows, you can switch from using the one with the emotions listed to the template without the emotion names shown.
    • Say It:   What are other words describing the same emotion?
    • Feel It:   Describe what your body feels like when you experience this emotion.
    • Mimic It:  Act out the emotion in a mirror or for others.
    • Talk About It:   Share a time you felt this emotion and what you did about it.

A copy of the instructions is included in the pdf file that can be found by clicking the picture above or here.

Why It Works

Fidget Spinner Emotions utilizes the Super Simple Feelings Management Technique which is the first part of our comprehensive emotions management plan called Jump In! Stand Strong! Rise Up! By encouraging kids and teens to See It, Say It, Feel It, Mimic It and Talk About It, you give them the tools they need to recognize, name and deal with the difficult emotions they face. On top of that, the fidget spinner itself is a good coping mechanism.

[su_emotions_hc]

Written by Wayne Stocks
Wayne is the founder and executive director of Hope 4 Hurting Kids. He is a happily married father of four kids with a passion for helping young people who are going through rough times. In addition to Hope 4 Hurting Kids, Wayne previously started I Am A Child of Divorce and Divorce Ministry 4 Kids to help kids who are dealing with the disruption of their parents' relationship. These are now part of Hope 4 Hurting Kids. Wayne speaks frequently at conferences and churches on issues related to helping kids learn to deal with difficult emotions and life in modern families. Wayne lives with his wife, three youngest kids, three dogs and an insane collection of his kids' other pets outside of Columbus, Ohio. In addition to his work with Hope 4 Hurting Kids, Wayne is a partner in a local consulting firm, an avid reader, coaches his son's soccer team and is a proud supporter of Leicester City Football Club (and yes, for those in know, his affinity for the club does predate the 2016 championship). You can reach Wayne at wayne@hope4hurtingkids.com.