The Very Hungry Worry Monsters

Product Information

This feelings monster worksheet is a lovely way to encourage children to talk about feelings and emotions. This may work well if your child is capable of using their imagination and visualize the concept of a worry box. Using the box and writing down your problems on paper also helps to turn something intangible into something they can actually touch, work with, and control. When worry thoughts, frustration or overwhelming feelings strike, your child (or you, if your child needs help) can write them down on a piece of paper and store them away in their worry box (or whatever container you chose). Let the children explore the concept in both adult-led, and child-led contexts. 11. Worry Monster Basket

Natural objects are also a good choice, as they have calming textures in the hands. Things like leaves or conkers would work well, as would many other types of loose parts materials. 3. Emotion Pebbles Another great idea for ownership is for the children to make the worry monsters themselves. This is very achievable. Problems can include transition to junior school or between year groups, family problems, friendship issues or even just food they don’t like. A child with separation anxiety starts to worry about leaving to go to school. As a parent, you can say, “It sure looks like Bossy Pants is trying to scare you. I know Bossy Pants is loud and scary but you are brave and know that I will see you as soon as school is finished. Be brave and don’t listen to mean old Bossy Pants.” A child may say, “Bossy Pants is scaring me about school right now. I am telling her that she is just a bully and even though I feel scared, I know I will see you after school.”

While the box is drying, cut the white foam paper to look like teeth. You can make them square or triangular. We chose the triangular ones. You can also use a jar, an envelope, or any container that serves the same purpose of storing worries away. This is perhaps best done as a group activity, first thinking about what each of them is worried about, talking it through a bit, and then drawing what that looks like to them. It doesn’t have to look like a masterpiece of art – the emphasis is on the psychological benefits of this experience. We’ll share a tutorial for a fun monster worry box in the next section, but let’s be clear, this technique is equally effective with any box you may have lying around in the house.

This feelings monster worksheet is ideal for use during an 'All About Me' or 'ourselves' topic to encourage children to develop an understanding of feelings and emotions.First, get the children to lie on the floor and close their eyes. You could potentially put someone relaxing music on. You may have read about this very same concept described as a Feelings Box, Acceptance Box, or Anxiety Box.