My Stress Bucket is an interactive and engaging activity designed for children aged 5 to 11 to explore the concept of stress and learn effective coping strategies.

Based on the psychology concept of the stress bucket, this activity introduces children to the idea that everyone has an internal stress bucket that can become overwhelmed when filled with daily stresses. By providing a visual representation of the stress bucket and incorporating hands-on crafting, children can actively participate in understanding and managing their stress levels.

About this resource:

Interactive Visual Activity: My Stress Bucket involves creating an actual bucket using the provided template. Children are encouraged to write down the things that make them feel stressed and upset on strips of paper and place them inside their stress bucket.

Craft Element: The activity includes a craft element where children assemble their stress bucket using Sellotape or glue.

Coping Strategies and Relief: After filling their stress bucket, children are guided to think of six things that help them feel calm when they feel overwhelmed. These calming strategies are represented by water droplets that children can write on and stick to their bucket. Children are invited to imagine their container getting lighter as the water (stresses) are released from the bucket.

Benefits:

• Emotional Regulation and Coping Skills: My Stress Bucket helps children develop self-regulation skills by recognising and understanding their stressors. By identifying and acknowledging the factors that contribute to their stress, children can learn effective coping strategies to manage and alleviate stress.
• Build Resilience: This activity helps children build resilience by teaching them that they can have control over their stress levels and the ability to empty their stress bucket. By empowering children to identify and implement calming strategies, they develop resilience and the capacity to bounce back from future stressful situations.

The concept of the stress bucket recognises that everyone's stressors and coping mechanisms are unique. My Stress Bucket allows children to personalise their stress bucket by identifying their specific stressors and choosing their own calming strategies. This individualised approach promotes self-awareness and empowers children to take an active role in managing their stress.