Rubin Companion Website
Welcome to the companion website for the book, Supporting Siblings and Parents of Children with Behavioral Challenges: A Clinically Based, Research-Informed Curriculum. Below are links to the 17 group activities (in PowerPoint) and the handouts and printouts (in PDF) that are needed to launch the Sibling Support Program successfully.
PowerPoint Group Activities
Each PowerPoint presentation comprises a complete sibling group session, starting with Introductions and ending with Wrap-Up, and includes speaker notes for each slide. Discussion questions are color-coded, and each question is linked with a theme that emerged in sibling research, including sibling guilt, sibling anxiety, building self-esteem, safety concerns, sibling aggression, love–hate relationship, fair is not equal, family rules, and shame/embarrassment. Every activity emphasizes coping skills.
A Part of Me
We all have different parts of ourselves. Participants take turns choosing pictures of siblings in different situations (scared sibling, confused sibling, guilty sibling, calm sibling, etc.) and the group discusses the question connected to each “part.”
Fish in the Sea
There are lots of fish in the sea! Participants take turns choosing a brightly colored fish and the group discusses each question that appears.
Letters for Sibs
Who doesn’t love getting mail? Participants take turns choosing an envelope and the group discusses each letter from a sibling that appears.
Love Can Be Hard
Loving someone isn’t always easy. Participants take turns choosing a multicultural peer and the group discusses each question that appears.
Meet the Martians
Each alien in the Martian family has a question to ask. Your job is to take turns choosing an alien, and then we will discuss the question that appears.
Pieces of My Puzzle
This activity features a puzzle surprise. Participants take turns choosing a puzzle piece, and the group discusses the question that appears. At the end of the group, we see what the puzzle looks like when all the pieces fit together.
Remember a Time
Each day on the calendar has a hidden question. Participants take turns choosing a day on the calendar, and the group discusses the question that appears.
Sibling Color Wheel
Watch the color wheel spin and then say “Stop!” When the spinner lands, the group discusses the question that appears.
Sibling Trivia
Time to play sibling trivia! Our categories are Mental Health, Family, and Mystery. Participants take turns choosing a question from a category, which the group discusses.
Stars in the Sky
Choose a different colored star to find out which question will be revealed, which the group then discusses.
Stress Creates a Mess
Can’t sleep, worried about your pet, or is your family fighting? Participants take turns choosing a stressful situation, and the group discusses the question that appears.
Strong Siblings
Animals, like siblings, are strong! Participants take turns choosing a mighty beast, and the group discusses the question that appears.
The Sibling Tree
The sibling tree has lots of leaves. Participants take turns choosing their favorite leaf on the tree, and the group discusses the question that appears.
What Do I Do?
Who wants to play more sibling trivia? Today’s categories are Sibling Situations, Fair or Unfair, and Mystery. Participants take turns choosing a scenario, and the group discusses the question that appears.
What Is Fair?
Life can feel unfair for siblings. Participants take turns choosing a
different colored handshake, and the group discusses the question that appears.
When You Wish
Choose a magic teapot! Participants take turns choosing a golden teapot and the group discusses the question that appears.
PowerPoint Group Activities
Adaptations for in-person delivery are included in chapter 4 of the book. A few additional adaptations are listed below:
- Give opportunities for movement breaks for siblings that meet in person, such as playing Simon Says or having the group do jumping jacks or stretches.
- When in person, invite siblings to click on the game slide (for remote groups, the group facilitator clicks on the slide for them).
- Practice deep breathing and other strategies listed on the coping skills slide.
- Be creative with the coping skills slide for returning siblings. Instead of skipping over the coping skills slide for siblings who have seen it before, encourage siblings to choose a coping skill to practice before the next group. When sibs return, get feedback on how the coping skill worked for them.
PDF Handouts and Printouts
All handouts and printouts are included in the PDF "Handouts and Printouts." The PDF includes:
- Supporting Siblings of Children with Mental Health Needs Brochure
- Logic Model
- Positive Coping Skills for Children
- Positive Coping Skills for Teens
- Draw-Along Coping Skills for Children
- Recruitment and Enrollment Log
- Caregiver and Sibling Eligibility Screening
- Caregiver Group Attendance Form
- Sibling Support Group Attendance Form
- Fair Is Not Equal
- Sibling Certificate
- Confidential Participant List