A child named Sam learns to manage big feelings of anger by stopping, keeping hands safe, using words, and asking for help from a caring adult.
Sam was building a tall, wobbly tower with colorful blocks. It was almost to the ceiling! But then, Leo came toddling by. Crash! The tower tumbled down. Sam's face felt hot. Their hands squeezed into tight fists. They felt a big, stormy feeling inside. They wanted to hit something.
Sam remembered something important. "Stop," they whispered to themself. They took a big, deep breath, filling their lungs like a balloon. Then they let the air out slowly, whoosh! They looked at their hands. They were still fists. "My hands are not for hitting," Sam said. "My hands are for helping."
Sam needed to keep their hands safe. They put their hands behind their back and held them together. It felt like giving their hands a hug. Then, they found a better place for them. They gently put their hands in their pockets. Now their hands were safe and cozy, and couldn't get into any trouble.
Sam looked at Leo, who was now playing with a toy car. The stormy feeling was still there. Sam knew they needed some space. "Leo," Sam said, using a calm voice. "I feel upset. I need some space right now, please." Leo looked up, then scooted their car a little farther away.
Using words helped a little, but Sam still felt the big feeling rumbling. They walked to the living room where Mom was reading. "Mom?" Sam's voice was quiet. "I have a big, angry feeling. My tower fell down and I wanted to hit, but I stopped. I kept my hands safe."
Mom put her book down. "Thank you for telling me, Sam. That was very brave and very smart." She patted the couch cushion next to her. "Big feelings are okay. Everyone has them. What matters is what we do with them. You did the right things."
"What can I do now?" asked Sam. Mom smiled. "Let's think of what your helpful hands can do." She held out her own hands. "They can make things. They can hug. They can build again." Sam looked at their own open hands, no longer fists. The stormy feeling was getting smaller.
Sam had an idea. They went back to the blocks. Leo was nearby. "Leo," Sam said. "Do you want to build a garage for your car? We can build it together." Leo grinned and nodded. Sam's helpful hands started stacking blocks, making a wide, strong base.
Together, Sam and Leo built a fantastic garage with a ramp. It wasn't as tall as the first tower, but it was much more fun. Sam felt proud. Their hands had helped make something new and had played kindly. They knew that next time a big feeling came, they could stop, be safe, use words, and ask for help.