# Lesson 231: Coping with change

❤️ SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (40 Lessons) • 🟣 D. Problem Solving & Safety

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## Objective

I can talk about change. I can name some of my feelings, notice what stays the same, and use calm steps when things change.

## Materials

- Plain paper or a notebook page
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Optional: sticky notes or small pieces of paper for "same" and "different" ideas

## Mini-lesson — What is change?

Change is when something becomes different from how it was before.

Examples of change:

- Moving seat in the classroom.
- A new teacher or a new class.
- A friend moving away or a new friend joining.
- Starting a new club or sport.

Many feelings about change

- We might feel excited about something new.
- We might feel nervous or worried about not knowing what will happen.
- We might feel sad about what we are leaving.
- It is okay to have more than one feeling at the same time.

What stays the same?

- Even when some things change, other things can stay the same.
- Your family’s love stays with you.
- Some routines can stay the same (bedtime stories, hugs, morning breakfast).
- Your skills and strengths go with you.

Calm steps for coping with change

- Step 1: Name what is changing. (For example, "My classroom is changing.")
- Step 2: Name how you feel. (For example, "I feel nervous and a little excited.")
- Step 3: Take slow breaths in and out.
- Step 4: Think of one thing that stays the same and say it out loud.

Helpful thoughts about change

- "It is okay to feel this way."
- "I can learn about the new thing step by step."
- "Some things are changing and some things are still the same."

Talking to trusted adults

- When change feels big or confusing, talk to a trusted adult (parent, teacher, caregiver).
- They can answer questions and help make small plans.

Adults can say: "Change can feel strange. Your feelings make sense. Let us notice what stays the same and plan our next step together."

Picture strip: "Old, new, and same"

## Guided Practice — Change and stay the same chart

You and an adult will make a chart that shows what changes and what stays the same in one part of life.

1. On a notebook page, draw a big T-chart (one line down the middle, one line across the top).
2. At the top, write or trace a title such as "When things change".
3. On the left side, write or trace "Changes". On the right side, write or trace "Stays the same".
4. Choose one area, like school, home, or activities. Talk about a change that already happened or might happen (for example, "I might move to a new classroom.").
5. On the Changes side, draw or write 2–3 things that will be different (for example, new desk, new classmates).
6. On the Stays the same side, draw or write 2–3 things that will stay the same (for example, same family, same favourite toy at home, same lunch box).
7. Read the chart together and say: "Some things are changing. Some things are the same. All my feelings are okay."

Tracing Pad
Lines
Trace
Pen

## Practice — My "change plan" picture

Use this practice to help your child make a simple plan for coping with one change.

1. On a new page, write or trace the words "My change plan" at the top.
2. Together, choose one change (for example, a new teacher, a new after-school club, or moving to a different seat).
3. Draw the change in the middle of the page. Add a short label under the picture.
4. Around the picture, draw or write 3–4 small helping ideas, such as:
   - "Take 3 slow breaths"
   - "Hold my comfort toy"
   - "Ask a question"
   - "Talk to Mum/Dad/Teacher"
5. Draw a small heart or star next to the idea your child wants to try first when they think about this change.
6. Practise pointing to each idea and saying: "When things change, I can…" while reading the helping ideas together.

## Quick Check — Coping with change

Answer each question about change, feelings, and calm steps.

1) What is change?

When everything always stays exactly the same. A kind of food you eat at lunch. When something becomes different from how it was before.
Change means something is now different from before.

2) Which is an example of a change?

Getting a new seat in your classroom. Breathing in and out. Eating the same snack every day.
A new seat is a small change at school.

3) How might you feel about a big change?

Only silly and never anything else. More than one feeling, like excited and nervous together. You are not allowed to feel anything.
We can have mixed feelings about change, and that is normal.

4) Which sentence is kind self-talk about change?

"I feel nervous, but I can learn about this new thing step by step." "This is the worst. I will never try anything new." "I am not allowed to say how I feel."
Kind self-talk notices your feelings and reminds you you can cope.

5) What is one calm step when you think about a change?

Shout at the first person you see. Decide you will never talk about it. Take slow breaths and name how you feel.
Calm breathing and naming feelings help your body feel safer.

6) Which idea shows something that stays the same?

"My whole life is changing and nothing is the same." "My family still loves me, even if my classroom changes." "I have to forget everything from before."
Noticing what stays the same can bring comfort during change.

7) You are starting a new after-school club and feel nervous. What could you do?

Tell an adult how you feel and ask a question about the club. Keep it a secret and worry alone. Decide to get angry with everyone there.
Talking to a trusted adult and asking questions makes change less scary.

8) A friend is moving away. Which sentence shows healthy coping?

"I will never make another friend again." "I am not allowed to feel sad." "I feel sad, but I can talk to someone and remember good times with my friend."
Healthy coping lets you feel sad and also find comfort and support.

9) When should you ask a trusted adult for help with change?

Only if you feel exactly the same as always. When change feels big, confusing, or hard to think about alone. Never. You must handle every change by yourself.
Trusted adults can listen, answer questions, and plan with you.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

To help you cope with change using calm steps, kind thoughts, and support. To stop all changes from ever happening. To make you ignore your feelings about change.
The goal is to handle change in safe, kind, and helpful ways.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Student can say in simple words what change means. Student can name at least one feeling they might have about change. Student can describe one thing that might stay the same when other things change. Student can show or name at least one calm step they can use. Student knows they can talk to a trusted adult when change feels big or confusing.

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can cope with change using calm steps and kind thoughts. 🙂 I know some ways to cope with change, but I still need practice. 😅 Coping with change still feels tricky for me.

#### Next time I will practise…

Taking slow breaths when I think about a change Noticing one thing that stays the same Talking to a trusted adult about a change
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