Doing a sheet
Watch the episode together first: scan the code on Sheet 1, or visit pipsfeelingsclub.com. A calm 10 minutes, never as a consequence. You read the comic, your child does the pens. Sheet 1's challenge is tricky on purpose: a chance to say "not yet". If they get frustrated, say "not yet" together and come back later. Finish with a play card.
What to talk about
Sheet
Ask them
Do together
Not Yet!
"What can you do now that you couldn't last year?"
"What's something you can't do… yet?"
"How did Papa feel about his wonky nest?"
Show them something you were bad at first, and how you learned it.
Kind Voice
"What does your mean voice say?"
"What would you say to Rory if his tower fell?"
"Can you say that to yourself?"
Practise the hand-on-heart words together, in a silly voice and a whisper.
When they're hard on themselves
1. "That's annoying. Is your mean voice talking?"
2. Hand on heart together: "It's okay. I'm still learning."
3. "Add yet. What's another way?"
When they're stormy
Calm first: "You're really frustrated. I'm here."
"Stop. Rainbow breathing with me."
Kind voice and "yet" come after.
Do it out loud yourself
"Oops! It's okay, I'm still learning."
"I can't fix this… yet. I'll try another way."
Kids learn their inner voice from yours.
Catch them doing it well
"I heard your kind voice!"
"You tried another way. Smart thinking!"
"You kept going when it got tricky."
Try to avoid
"Don't be silly!" Agree with the feeling first.
"It's easy!" Praise the trying, not "clever".
Fixing it for them straight away.
Every day (2 minutes)
Bedtime: "What can't you do… yet?"
Both, hand on heart: "I'm still learning."
A star for every "yet" you hear.
Share the words with their teacher. See the GP sooner if it's escalating, if they avoid anything they might get wrong, or if they say things like "I hate myself."
Based on Raising Children Network's emotion coaching, self-compassion research (Kristin Neff) and growth-mindset language (Carol Dweck).