Classroom Social Skills Dinosaur Program 1 Running head ...

Classroom Social Skills Dinosaur Program 28
Integration of Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Components
Each unit uses a combination of cognitive, affective, and behavioral components to
enhance learning. For example, the anger thermometer is used to teach children self-control and to
monitor their emotional state. Children decorate the thermometer with pictures of feeling faces
from “happy” and “relaxed” in the blue (or cool) section of the thermometer—all the way up to
“angry” or “stressed out” in the red (or hot) section of the thermometer. The teacher can then ask
children to describe a recent conflict, and together they retrace the steps that led to the angry
outburst. The teacher writes down the child’s thoughts, feelings, and actions that indicated an
escalating anger pattern (e.g., “He always takes my toys;” thought. “That really makes me mad;”
feeling. “I got so mad that I kicked him;” action). Then the teacher and child discuss the thoughts,
words, and actions that the child can use to reduce his anger. As the teacher retraces the steps of
the angry outburst—s/he helps the child identify the place where he was aware he was getting
angry. This is marked as the “Danger Point” on the thermometer. Once the child has established
his danger point—he gives a name to the signal (e.g., chill out, cool down, code red, hot engine,
etc.). This code word can be the teacher and child’s signal that anger or stress has reached the
threshold, which triggers the use of an agreed upon calming strategy, such as taking three deep
breaths.
Fantasy Play and Instruction
Fantasy play provides the context for this program because a high level of sociodramatic
play in early school age children is associated with sustained and reciprocal verbal interaction and
high levels of affective role taking (Connolly & Doyle, 1984). Fantasy play gives children the
opportunity to develop intimacy and work out emotional issues (Gottman, 1983). For preschool