Maya’s Notebook

A note from me

Hi! I’m Maya. I’m eight years old.

This is my notebook. I’ll write you a page every Friday — about my mad, my tornado named Zip, and the tools that keep him from driving. Read it with a grown-up, by yourself, or both.

Mad isn’t bad. Mad is information.

This week’s check-in

How big is your mad right now?

Mine’s a little 2 today. Tap the number that matches yours.

Pick your number — there’s no wrong one.

Tool of the week — Name it

My mad is a tiny tornado. I named him Zip. When he shows up and starts spinning, here’s what I say:

“Hi Zip. I see you. I know you’re spinning. You can stay, but you don’t get to drive.”

Try it this week. When your big feeling shows up, give it a name and say hi. You’re the driver — not the feeling.

Feeling word of the week

frustrated

Frustrated is when you really, really want something to work and it just… won’t. Like when your shoe won’t tie, or your little brother won’t leave you alone. It’s one of the feelings that hides under mad.

My friends, the feeling folk

Dr. Reyes calls us the feeling folk, because our feelings aren’t enemies — they’re just feelings, hanging out. Everybody’s got one. You probably do too. My friends are getting their own notebooks soon:

Your turn

Draw your feeling friend.

If your big feeling were a creature, what would it look like? What color is it? Don’t think too hard — the first thing that pops into your head is probably right.

Draw and color right on the screen — a grown-up can save the picture when it’s done. (No screen? Print this page and use paper.)