Brain Power Facilitator Guide Brain Power Facilitator Guide
Helping Little Explorers Master Big Feelings
The Goal
This activity helps a 4-year-old boy practice three "Super Brain Powers":
Emotional Regulation: Staying calm when things don't go his way.Impulse Control: Stopping and thinking before acting.Flexible Thinking: Changing the plan when something new happens.
Setup
1. Print: The "Brain Power Park" game board and "Scenario Cards."Tape: Join the two game board pages together.Find: Two small toys to use as game pieces (dinosaurs, cars, or LEGO figures work great!).Roll: Use a standard 6-sided die.
How to Play
1. Move
Roll the die and move your character. Each space has a color corresponding to a skill.
2. Brain Power!
Land on a colored space and pull a matching card. Read the scenario and ask the question.
3. Teamwork
If he's stuck, help him "Think Aloud." Say: "If I were the boy in this story, I might feel..."
Helpful Phrasing
"I see you're using your Flexi-Brain to try something new!"
"Let's use our Stop & Think power before we grab that toy."
"It's okay to feel frustrated. Let's take a Balloon Breath together."
Brain Power Adventure • Lesson Guide
Brain Power Park Game Board Brain Power Park
Part 1
Start
Calm & Regulate
Stop & Think
Flexi-Brain
Part 2
Victory! Super Brain
"You did it! You used your Brain Powers to reach the end!"
Brain Power Scenario Cards Brain Power Scenario Cards
SET 1: REGULATION & IMPULSES
The Falling Tower
You spent a long time building a tall LEGO tower. Your sibling runs by and accidentally knocks it over!
How can your body feel calm again? Let's take 3 deep breaths.
Time for Dinner
You are having so much fun playing with your dinosaurs. Mom says it's time to stop and eat dinner.
It's hard to stop! What's a happy thought you can think of while you wash your hands?
The Wrong Cup
You wanted the blue cup, but Dad gave you the green cup. You feel very frustrated.
Can you show me your "Cool Down" face? Let's squeeze our hands tight, then let go.
The Toy Grab
Your friend is holding the cool truck you really want to play with. You want to grab it right now!
Wait! Stop your hands. What words can you say to ask for a turn?
Waiting in Line
Everyone is waiting for their snack. You are so hungry you want to push to the front.
Use your "Wait Power." Can you count to 5 slowly while you stand still?
Running Inside
You just got home and you are so excited to see your dog! You want to run through the house.
Freeze! What are the house rules for feet? Let's walk like a slow turtle.
Scenario Cards
SET 2: FLEXIBLE THINKING
A New Game
You wanted to play Hide and Seek, but your friend wants to play Tag.
Use your "Flexi-Brain!" Can we play Tag first and Hide and Seek later?
The Closed Park
Dad said you could go to the park, but when you get there, the gate is locked!
The plan changed! What's another fun thing we could do instead?
No Strawberries
You really wanted strawberries for snack, but we only have bananas today.
Oh no! Can you stretch your brain and try a bite of the banana?
Write your own custom scenarios here!
Brain Power Intro Slides Brain Power
Adventure
Train your brain to be a Super Helper!
Regulate
Control
Flex
Power 1: Balloon Breath
When you feel BIG feelings like anger or sadness, use your Balloon Breath!
1 Hands on your belly!
2 Breathe in slow through your nose...
3 Let it out like a balloon popping!
Power 2: Stop & Think
STOP
Freeze your body!
THINK
Is this a good choice?
GO
Use your kind words!
Practice: Ask before you grab!
Power 3: Flexi-Brain
"The Plan Changed!"
It's okay to try a new idea.
Let's think of a NEW plan!
It started to rain!
New Plan: Play inside!
Ready to Play?
Board Game
Roll the die and move through Brain Power Park!
Power Cards
Solve the scenarios to earn your victory!
"You have the brain power!"
Brain Power Strategy Sheet Brain Power Cheat Sheet
Everyday Strategies for Turn-Taking, Waiting & Denied Access
At 4 years old, the "Super Brain" is still under construction! These skills require a lot of energy. Use these tools to help coach your child through the tough moments.
Turn-Taking
The "In-Charge" Object
Use a hat, a special stone, or a stuffed animal. Whoever is holding the object is the one whose turn it is. This makes "waiting" feel more concrete.
Visual Timers
4-year-olds don't have a strong sense of time. Use a sand timer or a visual clock app so they can *see* how much longer they have to wait.
Play-by-Play Narration
Narrate the process: "I'm pushing the button now... my turn is finished. Now it is your turn!" This helps them understand the pattern of social sharing.
Turn-Taking Games
Practice with low-stakes games like rolling a ball back and forth or building a tower one block at a time together.
Mastering the Wait
"Wait" Anchor
Give them a physical place to "wait" (like a specific carpet tile or a chair). Having a designated spot helps contain the physical impulse to move or grab.
The Counting Game
"We have to wait until I count to 10!" Count slowly together. It turns waiting into an active, shared task rather than a passive, boring one.
Wait With Your Body
Encourage them to do something physical while waiting: "Can you wait while hopping on one foot?" or "Can you wait while doing a silly dance?"
Specific Praise
Instead of "Good job," say "I see you using your Wait Power ! Your body is so calm while you wait for your juice."
Handling "No"
Validate + Alternative
"I hear you want a cookie. Cookies are delicious! We aren't having cookies now, but we can have a crunchy apple or some cheese."
"When / Then"
Instead of "No, not now," use "When/Then" language: "When you finish putting your shoes on, then we can go outside to play."
The "Wish List"
When they want something they can't have (like a toy at the store), say "Let's put it on your Wish List!" Take a photo of it. It acknowledges the desire without saying 'yes' to the purchase.
Prepare for the "No"
Give warnings: "In 2 minutes, the TV will go off." This allows the brain to prepare for the 'denied access' before it happens suddenly.
Brain Power Adventure • Parent Strategy Guide
