Superflex and the Dancing Birds
Superflex — A Social Thinking Superhero. During this kindergarten class year, Teacher Gretchen introduced the Dancing Birds to a comic book series called SUPERFLEX. The purpose of these books is to provide an engaging teaching tool to help students learn more about their own social behavior. Superflex was not developed to cure, fix, stop, eliminate, or extinguish behaviors. It was designed to boost awareness, give strategies for social problem solving, and empower students to be proactive in their own self-regulation and behavior change.
Using Flexible Thinking Super Powers. Superflex develops in each student’s brain their own superheroic thinking processes to overcome challenges in different social situations that occur at school and home. The social challenges in the book are given faces in the form of a villainous team of “Unthinkable” characters.
What Do Students Have to Say? Students have loved learning about all 14 of the Unthinkables and the behaviors they represent. They also really enjoy using the concept in everyday class room scenarios.
We interviewed each student in the class about the Unthinkables, and asked for any stories when they used their Superflex brains to defeat an unthinkable that was trying to sneak into their heads. There were some clear character favorites when the students were sharing their examples, but most importantly it was very evident that the concepts were resonating and they were on their way to become better social thinkers and social problem solvers!
A few of the characters, the strategies to defeat them and some analogies from the students are included below.
Rock Brain — I make people get stuck on their ideas
Tip to Defeat: Take a deep breath and remember you always have a different choice. Think about your choices and choose one that helps others to feel good.
“I was playing with my dog but sister wanted to play a game that I didn’t want to. At first I said no but then I suggested a different game that we both could play.”
“I wanted to keep playing with Lego when supposed to be cleaning up. Used my Superflex brain to make a good choice and listen to Ms. Gretchen.”
Brain Eater — I distract people
Tip to Defeat: Turn your body and eyes away from the item that is distracting, and focus on what someone is telling you.
“I was trying to kick someone else’s ball at soccer practice when the coach was talking. Used my Superflex brain to join the rest of the group and listen to the coach.”
“I was looking around and distracted by things going on outside the classroom when Ms. Gretchen was reading. Used my Superflex brain to sit down and focus on the story.”
Worry Wall — I make people worry too much
Tip to Defeat: Find a thought that can change your worried thought to a calm thought: “Oh, this math problem looks too hard. But I can always ask for help from my teacher”.
“I thought my mum had left the house without giving me a hug. I took a few deep breaths and calmed down, I went to sleep and when I woke up my mum was there and I got my hug.”
Energy Hare-y — I give people too much energy
Tip to Defeat: Look around and see if your energy level matches those around you. In class, everyone’s bodies are calm, so if your body is busier, take a couple of deep breaths to calm it down.
“I was playing tag inside my home with socks on, I slipped and fell. I got up, walked to the bathroom took my socks off and put them in the hamper and had some quiet time.”
“I couldn’t sit still during story time in class and was fidgeting around. I used my Superflex brain by seeing everyone else sitting still and calmed down.”