Social-Emotional Learning (FREE PRINTABLE)
Emotional Regulation and Behavior Management Technique
FREE PRINTABLE
The first step to understanding and coping with emotions is to give them a name.
When we teach children to name their emotions, we are empowering them to express themselves and respond in a healthy way.
This activity can be used in two ways:
As a daily practice.
As a behavior management technique.
In our homeschool, we use it for both.
Using this activity as a daily practice:
Designate a time each day that you will use this activity. It does not need to take more than just a couple of minutes of your time. Most families choose to use this as part of their “morning basket” or morning routine.
Ask your child to choose an emotion from the 36 Emotion Cards that describe how they are feeling today. If your child is a pre-reader they may need some help with this. The Emotion Cards have expressions but it is helpful to read the emotion name as well.
If their first choice is a core emotion (happy, sad, angry, scared) ask them to choose a specific emotion within that category.
If their choice is a specific emotion ask them to choose the core emotion to which it belongs.
Both emotion cards (the top two boxes) should match in color.Is this a pleasant or enjoyable emotion? Is this an emotion that you like or dislike?
If this is a pleasant emotion (usually in the yellow/happy category) you may wish to take a moment to express gratitude for something positive. This can be something big or small.
If this emotion is not pleasant you will move onto the next section of the page, Coping/Calming Skills.Ask your child to choose a coping/calming skill from each category (dark blue and dark green) that they can use to deal with the emotion that they are feeling. They will be choosing one skill that they can do on their own, and one skill that needs social support (another person, or animal).
Use one of the coping/calming skills if needed, or keep them in mind for use later in the day if preferred. Sometimes the simple act of having identified the emotion and choosing what we CAN do about it is enough to help us feel better.
Using this activity for behavior management:
Notice your child having a difficult time with emotion. Take a moment to be there with them, acknowledge their feelings. Take 3 deep breaths with them. If the child is feeling very overwhelmed they may not breathe with you, model 3 deep breathes and give them a moment to settle. Sit with them while they complete this activity.
Ask your child to choose an emotion from the 36 Emotion Cards that describe how they are feeling right now. If your child is a pre-reader they may need some help with this. The Emotion Cards have expressions but it is helpful to read the emotion name as well.
If their first choice is a core emotion (happy, sad, angry, scared) ask them to choose a specific emotion within that category.
If their choice is a specific emotion ask them to choose the core emotion to which it belongs.
Both emotion cards (the top two boxes) should match in color.Ask your child to choose a coping/calming skill from each category (dark blue and dark green) that they can use to deal with the emotion that they are feeling. They will be choosing one skill that they can do on their own, and one skill that needs social support (another person, or animal).
Help them to use one of the coping skills before they leave the activity area. This may mean using the coping skill as well (ex. breathing with them) or setting up what they need (helping them find a book or art supplies). Sometimes the simple act of having identified the emotion and choosing what we CAN do about it is enough to help us feel better.
This technique will not always work to stop negative behaviour. Emotions can be tricky, your child may continue to feel overwhelmed even with the use of coping skills. Remember the practice of going through this process builds your child’s ability to think about their emotions and their coping skills and use them more frequently. You won’t see the difference every time but it will make a big difference in their overall resilience.
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