Training Module: Transformative Journey to Master Emotional Regulation

Target Audience: Elementary Students, Grade 6

—

Module Overview:
This training module is designed to help 6th-grade students develop skills in emotional regulation, enabling them to manage their emotions effectively, build resilience, and foster positive relationships. The module spans six sessions, each lasting approximately 45 minutes.

—

Session 1: Introduction to Emotional Regulation

Objective: Understand what emotions are and why emotional regulation is important.

Materials:
– Whiteboard and markers
– Emotion cards (with faces showing different emotions)
– Handout: “Emotion Words”

Activities:

1. Icebreaker (10 mins):
– “Emotion Charades”: Students pick an emotion card and act it out without speaking while others guess the emotion.

2. Discussion (15 mins):
– What are emotions? Why do we have them?
– Importance of recognizing and regulating emotions.

3. Activity (10 mins):
– “Emotion Words” handout: Students list as many emotions as they can and discuss them.

4. Reflection (10 mins):
– How do you feel when you recognize your emotions?
– Share one time you felt a strong emotion and how you handled it.

Homework:
– Keep an “Emotion Diary” for a week, noting down different emotions they feel each day and what triggered them.

—

Session 2: Recognizing and Naming Emotions

Objective: Improve the ability to recognize and accurately name emotions.

Materials:
– Whiteboard and markers
– Emotion cards
– Handout: “Emotion Diary” review

Activities:

1. Review Homework (10 mins):
– Share and discuss entries from the “Emotion Diary.”

2. Discussion (10 mins):
– How recognizing emotions helps in managing them.

3. Activity (15 mins):
– “Emotion Matching”: Match emotion cards with appropriate emotion words.

4. Role-play (10 mins):
– Pair up and act out scenarios, guessing and discussing the emotions involved.

Homework:
– Continue with the “Emotion Diary,” adding notes on how they managed each emotion.

—

Session 3: Understanding Emotional Triggers

Objective: Identify and understand common emotional triggers.

Materials:
– Whiteboard and markers
– Handout: “Common Triggers”

Activities:

1. Icebreaker (5 mins):
– “Trigger Hunt”: Find items around the room that might trigger different emotions.

2. Discussion (10 mins):
– What are emotional triggers? Examples and personal experiences.

3. Activity (15 mins):
– “Common Triggers” handout: Identify and discuss personal triggers.

4. Group Work (15 mins):
– Create a poster illustrating different triggers and how they make us feel.

Homework:
– Observe and note in their “Emotion Diary” any new triggers they identify.

—

Session 4: Techniques for Emotional Regulation

Objective: Learn and practice techniques for managing emotions.

Materials:
– Whiteboard and markers
– Handout: “Regulation Techniques”

Activities:

1. Review (5 mins):
– Discuss any new triggers identified in the “Emotion Diary.”

2. Discussion (10 mins):
– Introduce various emotional regulation techniques (deep breathing, counting to ten, positive self-talk).

3. Activity (15 mins):
– Practice techniques in pairs and share experiences.

4. Guided Practice (15 mins):
– Lead a guided relaxation exercise.

Homework:
– Practice at least one regulation technique daily and note its effectiveness in the “Emotion Diary.”

—

Session 5: Building Emotional Resilience

Objective: Understand and develop resilience to better handle emotional challenges.

Materials:
– Whiteboard and markers
– Handout: “Building Resilience”

Activities:

1. Icebreaker (5 mins):
– “Resilience Role Models”: Share stories of people they admire for their resilience.

2. Discussion (10 mins):
– What is resilience? Why is it important?

3. Activity (15 mins):
– “Building Resilience” handout: Identify personal strengths and coping strategies.

4. Group Discussion (15 mins):
– Share and discuss personal strengths and how they help in overcoming challenges.

Homework:
– Continue practicing regulation techniques and reflect on their use in the “Emotion Diary.”

—

Session 6: Reflection and Moving Forward

Objective: Reflect on the journey and set goals for continued emotional regulation.

Materials:
– Whiteboard and markers
– Certificates of completion

Activities:

1. Review (10 mins):
– Share experiences and progress from the “Emotion Diary.”

2. Discussion (10 mins):
– Reflect on the techniques learned and their impact.

3. Activity (10 mins):
– Set personal goals for continued practice of emotional regulation.

4. Celebration (15 mins):
– Hand out certificates of completion.
– Share one thing each student is proud of learning or improving.

—

Additional Resources

1. Books:
– “The Emotionary” by Eden Sher
– “How to Take the Grrrr Out of Anger” by Elizabeth Verdick and Marjorie Lisovskis

2. Websites:
– [KidsHealth](https://kidshealth.org)
– [Mindfulness for Kids](https://www.mindful.org/mindfulness-for-kids/)

3. Apps:
– Calm
– Headspace for Kids

—

Conclusion

This training module aims to equip 6th-grade students with essential emotional regulation skills through interactive activities, discussions, and practical exercises. By the end of the module, students should feel more confident in their ability to understand, manage, and express their emotions in a healthy way.