Page 29 - FS-Grizzly Bear

Using Incentives
This story is about learning that our feelings and emotions are caused by what we tell ourselves about a situation. Our thinking can be rational, that is, based on what is really going on Good Thinking) or irrational, that is, based on inaccurate assumptions and beliefs that are not true (Stinky Thinking).
You want to reward any evidence that the children understood this basic concept. Notice if they are attending to their thinking, able to determine if it is Good Thinking or Stinky and understand the correlation between thinking/emotions/behaviors.
Example: If a child is doing their home work as instructed and verbalizes, “I want to do good on my test,” you can reward them for Good Thinking.
In the opposite situation, a child that not doing their work may verbalize, “It is too hard.” You question him “Is that Good Thinking or Stinky Thinking.” He replies “Stinky” and is able to verbalize why it is stinky, reward him for his awareness.
If he is able to come up with some alternative thinking “If those others can do it so can I” or “If I just keep at it I will get it,” you can reward him again. If you have a child who can not or will not verbalize their thinking, you can volunteer to tell what you believe they might be thinking and if it is Good or Stinky. If you are correct and they understand that their thinking was Stinky, reward them for their understanding.
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