COMMACK SCHOOLS

Sawmill third graders are learning to understand their feelings — and to be sensitive to the feelings of their friends — during periodic, fun sessions with school social worker Jacqueline Rizzuto.

On Friday, the students played a “head band” game.

One member of each group had an emotion written on a card attached to his or her forehead, so that everyone in the group but them could see the word. The student’s classmates then described to the headband wearer situations that could lead to that emotion, until the student wearing the headband correctly guessed the term.

Rizzuto told the third graders that they have the power to change their feelings if they ever feel emotions such as being tired, cranky or whiny.

She discussed feelings including being frustrated, worried and excited, and suggested coping mechanisms — such as taking a break, telling someone, and taking deep, slow breaths.

An upcoming session will focus on coping techniques.

Rizzuto also shared that it is important to read the facial expressions of friends, and use those cues to adjust how you act. For instance, the students watched a video in which one friend won a race against another and then gloated, making the friend feel badly.