Resilience Through Drama Scenarios

Name:

Date:

🎭 Part 1: Drama Scenario Cards

Instructions: Read each scenario below. For each one, think about how someone might react using fight, flight, or freeze responses, then consider a more helpful response using resilience strategies.

Scenario 1: Left Out at Break Time

You walk up to a group of classmates who are organising a game. When you ask to join, they say "Sorry, we already have enough people" and turn away from you. You feel embarrassed and hurt.

1a. What might a "freeze" response look like in this situation?

1b. What would be a helpful resilience strategy you could use instead?

Scenario 2: Teasing During Group Work

During a group project, one student keeps making jokes about your ideas and calling them "silly." Other group members start laughing. You feel your face getting hot and your heart beating faster.

2a. What might a "fight" response look like in this situation?

2b. What would be a helpful resilience strategy you could use instead?

Scenario 3: Not Understanding Instructions

Your teacher gives instructions for a maths activity, but you didn't hear the beginning because someone was talking. Everyone else starts working, but you don't know what to do. You start to panic and feel like hiding under your desk.

3a. What might a "flight" response look like in this situation?

3b. What would be a helpful resilience strategy you could use instead?

💭 Part 2: Reflection and Planning

4. Think about your own stress responses. Circle the ones that you sometimes experience:

My heart beats faster

I feel like running away

I freeze and can't think clearly

I want to argue or fight back

My shoulders get tense

I feel sick in my stomach

5. Complete this personal resilience plan:

In a stressful moment at school, I can:

(1) Notice my stress: I will pay attention to ________________________

(2) Try one strategy: I can ____________________________________

(3) Get support from: ________________________________________

6. Choose your top 3 helpful strategies from the list below:

Stop, breathe, then decide

Count to 10 slowly

Ask a teacher for help

Talk to a trusted friend

Take deep breaths

Walk away and come back later

Use positive self-talk

Find a quiet space to calm down

7. After watching the drama scenes today, what did you notice about how different reactions changed the feelings and outcomes for people in the scenes?