Guidance and links to help you to understand and teach about the yellow ‘Triggers’ cog.
The yellow ‘Triggers’ cog is one of the first 5 cogs we introduce as we help children to develop an understanding of the Emotion Works links and models.
From the training booklet Word Bank document…
EMOTION TRIGGERS – the things that happen to cause or trigger an emotional experience, reaction or response. General themes are provided here, as specific triggers are many and varied, and can also be very person- and context-specific. Common phobias (eg. fear of spiders, heights, flying) are examples of some specific triggers for fear. Triggers explain why we feel a certain way.
Please see the word bank document for an extensive list of Regulation Strategies examples.
Some differentiated definitions for your learners
The yellow cog relates to anything that causes an emotional response, both positive and negative. Triggers can be anything and everything, and vary from person to person, and sometimes according to situations.
The yellow cog is all about the things that make us feel an emotion.
Links to a range of different resources and practice ideas to help you teach about this cog are provided in the ‘useful resources’ and ‘useful links’ listings elsewhere on this page for you to browse (in the right hand margins on desktop or below on mobile & tablet).
Here are a few of our recommended favourites for resources and ideas to use if you need help getting started…
1. The Triggers pages from the Poster Set of 5 cogs, or the Poster Set of 5 Cogs (PCS) provide useful visuals and symbol prompts for introductory discussions.
2. The dry-wipe component card for Triggers.
3. The Triggers pages in the hard copy symbol book.
4. The Triggers playground cog (if available).
5. Triggers for the emotion fear can explored using this template on our website. Use to stimulate discussion or separate into “yes/no” piles. Add props for younger or less verbal children.
http://emotionworks_v2.wiredmonkey.co.uk/resources/fear-triggers-symbol-prompt-sheet/
1. The Triggers page from the Poster Set of 7 cogs provide useful visuals and text prompts for introductory discussions.
2. The dry-wipe component card for Triggers.
3. The Triggers playground cog (if available).
4. The “Likes” and “Dislikes” from the Connect Profile Booklet can be used to identify personal triggers for positive and negative emotions.
https://www.emotionworks-recovery.org.uk/download/?file=Getting-to-Know-You-Profile-4-page-A4.pdf
5. A “fortune teller” is a fun and relaxed way of talking about different triggers. Making simple links with emotions increases the complexity of the task.
http://emotionworks_v2.wiredmonkey.co.uk/resources/folded-paper-trigger-teller/
