Coping strategies are the activities we use to help us feel calm and emotionally regulated. There are countless different strategies we can use, from practicing slow and relaxing breaths to exercising and moving our bodies. Different strategies work for different people. In fact, different strategies even work for different scenarios. This is why it helps […]
Co-Regulation Strategies: Techniques to Calm Kids and Teens
In tough times, kids themselves might not have the skills to regulate and calm themselves. This is where co-regulation comes in. Co-regulation is the practice of modeling and coaching self-regulation techniques for kids and teens. We can think of it like an extra support or intervention for struggling children and young adults. Ultimately, the ongoing […]
Co-Regulation: The power of sharing our calm with kids and teens
The idea of self-regulation for kids and teens is well known; this is the ability to manage our own thoughts, feelings, and actions. We use self-regulation skills when we calm down when we feel upset or overwhelmed. We also use self-regulation when we start a chore, even if we don’t feel like it in the […]
Calm Down Strategies for Kids and Teens
Calm down strategies are activities kids and teens can use to manage tough emotions, self-regulate, and feel more relaxed. These are important skills for every person to know, which is why it’s crucial to give kids and teens a foundation of strong calm down strategies early on. In turn, knowing and using these techniques can […]
The 7 Most Important De-escalation Strategies for Challenging Behaviors
De-escalation is the process of calming down a situation before it escalates further. It is helping to slowly bring the temperature down before it reaches a boiling point. This is critically important skill for all educators and parents because children and young adults feel overwhelmed and angry sometimes; we all do. With that said, learning […]
15+ Classroom Practices to Build Self-Regulation Skills
Self-regulation skills are one of the biggest keys for success for students in the classroom. These are some of the skills that help students focus during lessons, wait their turn to share in group activities, transition to a new task when time is up, and start tasks right away. Self-regulation skills are extraordinarily important in […]
Free Supports and Activities to Help Kids Cope With Challenging Emotions
With so much going on in the world today, we could all use extra supports and strategies to cope with tough emotions. Whether it is a scary current event in our world or a problem in their own personal life, there are many reasons why kids might experience strong and challenging feelings. While it’s true […]
Coping Strategies Every Child & Teen Should Know
Coping strategies are the supports we use to manage tough emotions and stress in our daily lives. I like to think of them like tools in a self-regulation toolbox. From positive self-talk to mindful breathing to checking in with emotions, there are many different techniques we can teach and practice with kids to help them […]
25 Calming Activities for Kids Who Need to Move
Calming activities are important for kids and teens. These are the strategies they can use to self-regulate when they are upset, overwhelmed, or dysregulated in any other way. There are literally hundreds of different calm-down strategies you can try with kids and teens. Some of my favorite coping techniques include using positive self-talk, mindful breathing, […]
10+ Free Calm-Down Tools
We all need strategies to cope with stress and tough emotions. This is especially true for children and teens who are still growing and learning. Specifically, I’ve put this list of calm-down tools together to act as a “toolbox” of supports for educators and parents looking for new ideas. They go beyond typical coping strategies […]
