My Pocket Worries is all about helping children to notice, write down and explore their worries.

Directions: This two part activity helps children to explore their worries by first asking them to sort their worries into three pockets - their big, medium and small worries. This gets children thinking about which worries are bothering them the most - so that you know which ones to tackle first. When they have a worry, they can imagine putting it in their pocket until they are able to find someone to talk to about it.

OR - and now for the second part of our resource - they can use our Worry Pockets! Cut out and keep these lying around your house or classroom for children to fill in and pop in their pocket ready to talk about. We know that worries can come at unexpected times and there may not always be an adult present who they feel comfortable talking to, our Worry Pockets allow them to feel temporary relief from the worry by putting it in their pocket until they are able to talk to someone they trust.

Benefits:

Worry recognition and prioritisation: My Pocket Worries helps children become more aware of their worries and categorise them based on their perceived importance. This allows them to focus on addressing the most pressing concerns first.

Emotional expression and relief: The resource provides a means for children to express their worries through writing. This act of externalising their concerns can offer a sense of relief and reduce emotional burden.

Promotes seeking support: My Pocket Worries encourages children to seek support by talking to someone they trust about their worries. It facilitates the understanding that sharing concerns can lead to relief and assistance in finding solutions.

Empowerment and coping: By engaging with their worries and using the Worry Pockets, children develop a sense of agency and control over their concerns. It promotes the development of coping skills and resilience in managing worries.