Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology

1. For the exercise you will need at least 20 inflated balloons, cards and felt-tip pens and adhesive tape, thanks to which the leaders will attach the inscriptions to the balloons.
2. During the exercise, children have a chance to make a decision whether they want to “hold onto the thought”, i.e. catch a balloon with a positive or negative thought. We put thoughts on the balloons that can come to mind, both positive and negative.
3. The leader of the game stands inside and the children and their parents stand around.
4. The facilitator throws a balloon with a positive thought to the participant and asks “whether you want to stop (this thought) or let go”, by definition balloons with positive thoughts can be stopped and those with negative thoughts can be released.
5. When the children get out of all the balloons with positive thoughts, and the ones with negative thoughts are free to roll on the floor, you can still try to “destroy negative thoughts” and pierce the balloons in a way that is safe for children.

Examples of thoughts that can be written on the balloons:

NEGATIVE: “I’m no good.”, “Why can’t I ever succeed?”, “No one understands me.”, “I don’t think I can go on.”, “I’m so weak.”, “My life’s not going the way I want it to.”, “I’m so disappointed in myself.”, “Nothing feels good anymore.”, “I can’t stand this anymore.”, “What’s wrong with me?”, “I hate myself.”, “I’m worthless.”, “Wish I could just disappear.”, “I’m a loser.”, “My life is a mess.”, “I’m a failure.”, “I’ll never make it.”, “I feel so helpless.”, “There must be something wrong with me.”, “My future is bleak.”, „The world is dangerous”

POSITIVE: “I’m brave”, “I’m self – confident”, “I can handle this situation”, “I am mentally strong”, “I am lovable”, “I am good enough”, “I am a good person”, “I am smart”, “I am beautiful”, “I am extraordinary”, “I deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and love”, “I’m proud of myself”