Steps

1. Explain to children that there are methods to use in our minds to help lift our spirits and make us feel strong and positive when we are feeling low and weak. For example, in Activity 36: Islands of the Future, you drew an island that showed your ideas about your future. Your island of the future can help you feel better if you remember it when you are feeling sad. The picture can act as an ‘anchor’ to help tie you strongly to good, positive feelings.
2. Explain that in this activity, they will create their own personal ‘anchor’ to bring back good feelings. Creating an anchor involves two things:
   • an unusual and special physical action like squeezing the thumb and little finger on your left hand together
   • Saying something quietly to yourself, like ‘be happy’ or ‘it will work out’. They can choose their own special words.
3. Ask children to think of a difficult situation. What feelings would help these children make a decision that keeps them safe?
4. Ask children to think of a situation in the past when they have been strong and said, ‘NO!’ Remember what it was like:

As you remember it, put yourself in that situation, and relive it as strongly as you can: see what you saw then, hear what you heard then, and feel what it is like to be strong and say ‘NO!’. As those feelings build up, do your special little action and say your special words.

To strengthen the anchor, picture your future island, imagine you are there. See what you see, hear the sounds and experience the good feelings of being there on your future island. As those good feelings ask stronger, do the special action and say the special words.