The Power of a Popsicle Stick

I was working at a Child Development Center as a Youth Behavioral Counselor and the hospital donated several thousand tongue depressors because they could not use them. Basically, when the tongue depressor storage box got wet, they could not use them anymore in the hospital. Being curious I thought decided to try something new. Taking out a few of the big popsicle sticks I began to draw out different expressions of emotion and came up with a pattern that seemed to make sense. On one side of the stick, I drew a happy face, turning it over I drew a sad face; on the side with the happy face on the opposite end I drew an angry face, turning it over I drew a surprised face. As I turned it and twisted it I came up with words and tune for it based on the song “If your happy and you know it.” After creating it I walked around the corner and noticed a mother with her Pre-K child who was having a melt-down. She had been working with him for over ten minutes to calm him down and help him enter the classroom without success. Being curious I asked permission to see if I could help and the mother said yes. The boy had his face buried in his mother’s lap and was crying, so I got down to his level and had the happy side of the stick shown toward his face. I asked, “Are you feeling happy?” And then I quickly flipped the stick to the sad face and asked, “Or sad?” To my pleasant surprise, within 3 seconds the child was engaged and laughing. The mother was glad to see it worked, but also very frustrated with the situation.

It is amazing how the simplest tools can be used to connect and redirect. I use the stick and teach to children the song to help them become aware of their emotional experience. I use the stick motion with the song which adds textile element and a focus point. The song is sung to the tune “If You’re Happy and You Know it, Clap Your Hands” the stick action is italicized under the words:

If you’re happy and you know it don’t be sad,

Stick action

(rotate Happy side of stick to sad side: rotate back)

If you’re happy and you know it don’t be sad,

(rotate Happy side of stick to sad side) (flip from sad to angry side of stick)

You may be angry or surprised

(rotate from angry to surprised)

in the moment you decide,

(flip stick to happy)

If you’re happy and you know it don’t be

(rotate stick to sad) ______ (they say/sing “sad”)

Expanding the use into elementary school and middle school environment, I was able to add the element of turning it into a guessing game by using a smaller stick that fit into the palm of my hand that could be rotated. They would then select where they believed happy, sad, angry, or surprised was at. Some children were uncanny with their ability to focus and pay attention while others had a more difficult time. By slowing the process down with those who had a hard time focusing they were able to develop better focusing skills. There are several sensory avenues able to be noticed. The visual, the auditory and having the individual hold the stick and learn how to do the motions while singing is an opportunity to notice developmental progress and ability for a child to refocus. It is fun to use and I have used it with children of all ages.

Some parents have used the popsicle sticks as an arts and crafts activity to help their children draw faces and express their feelings about challenges at school and in life. Some have even used it as a roleplaying tool to act out different situations. I have also created sticks with dog faced themes and cat faced themes that the children love. Behold, the power of a popsicle stick! Have fun everyone!

Written By: David I Copeland, PhD LMHC-S

Dr. David Copeland, PhD is an LMHC-S and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor. He is the founder of GHP Theory and GHP Counseling Services. He specializes in working with individuals and families through trauma issues. He is a Veteran of 20 years Active-duty military service with the USAF and understands combat related issues with family dynamics. His work with Combat Veterans using Brainspotting has yielded great results, recognized by SOF Missions and Camaraderie Foundation.