Frustrated Freeze!

Your Child Will Learn

What it feels like to be frustrated and how to respond

Ask your child about frustration:
- Ask if they know what “frustrated” means.
- Talk with them about how it makes their body feel.
- Ask your child to think of some things that have made them feel frustrated in the past.
Explain the Frustrated Freeze game:
- “When I think you are feeling frustrated, I’ll say ‘Freeze!’ and then you stop what you’re doing.”
- Then you put your hands on your tummy, and notice your feelings.
- Take a slow breath so your hands go out and in.
- Then, I’ll say “Go!” and you can try again.
Practice! Choose an activity your child finds frustrating (zippering a coat, completing a challenging puzzle, etc.). Practice the Frustrated Freeze game.
Repeat every time you notice your child feeling frustrated.

PAUSE

ENGAGE

“When I’m frustrated my tummy hurts and my thoughts get really fast inside my head. What does your body feel like when you’re frustrated?”
“Let’s practice by doing something tricky. Try zippering your coat. Freeze! Hands on your tummy. How do you feel? Breathe in and out. Okay, Go! Try zippering your coat again.”

ENCOURAGE

“You’re doing such a great job noticing that you’re feeling frustrated. It can be hard to notice how we’re feeling sometimes, even for me.”
“You’re learning how to calm your body when you’re feeling frustrated. It’s something I’m still practicing, too!”

REFLECT

“Do you think it’s okay to have frustrated feelings? Of course! Everyone feels frustrated sometimes.”

Name your child’s feelings for them, like: “I’m thinking that you’re feeling frustrated because you are having a hard time with that puzzle.”

Play the same game with other tasks that your child finds hard to do.

They will eventually be able to recognize when they’re feeling frustrated and take a deep breath on their own.

10 minutes

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