self-regulation

Self-Monitoring Strategies for Kids

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self-monitoring strategies handouts

One of the big executive functioning skills is the ability to self-monitor oneself. Self-monitoring strategies play a part in the ability to notice what is happening in the world around us and what is happening in our own body. The ability to “check” oneself and monitor actions, behaviors, and thoughts as they happen play into our ability to problem solve. Use the tips below to help kids learn how to self-monitor and problem solve. These self-monitoring strategies for kids are applicable in the classroom, home, sports field, or in social situations.

Self-monitoring strategies and free handouts with self monitoring examples for parents, teachers, therapists.

As a related resources, try these self-reflection activities for kids. You’ll also love these other free handouts for executive functioning skills: Organization Handouts.

Use these self-monitoring strategies for kids to teach kids how to self-monitor their actions and behaviors for better learning, attention, and functional independence.

Related read: Here are more executive functioning resources to fill your therapy toolbox!

What is self-monitoring

Self monitoring is the ability to observe and regulate one’s own behavior, emotions, and responses in real-time. In the classroom, self monitoring allows students to recognize when they are off task, overstimulated, or emotionally dysregulated, and then take action to bring themselves back into an optimal learning state. This essential skill connects directly to executive functioning and emotional intelligence. Self monitoring supports independence, academic participation, and functional behaviors across school and home environments. Read more about how self-monitoring develops in the broader context of executive functioning skill

Self-monitoring is a process of metacognition. Metacognition is the ability to plan for and execute a task, monitor one’s actions, analyze a problem, apply a strategy, maintain attention, and evaluate or monitor completion of an activity. Ideally, metacognition should occur naturally and instinctively as we engage in an activity.

The ability to self-monitor is made up of two main areas:

1.) Observation- In this stage, a child is able to identify a specific behavior, thought, or action that occurred. This might happen during the action or afterwards.

In a child who struggles with talking out in class, they may catch themselves as they are interrupting. Another child may realize they spoke out of turn only after the teacher mentions the interruption.

In both cases, the child is able to identify what behavior has occurred through self-assessment. This level of self-monitoring is a real struggle for some students and working on the ability to notice the behaviors or actions that are inefficient or inappropriate for the situation. The ability to observe and recognize behaviors or actions is a skill, and that self-monitoring ability requires a lot of reflection, as well as the ability to recognize an ideal response or appropriate behavior for a specific situation.

2.) Recording- This stage of self-monitoring is a means for moving from an awareness of actions and behaviors to function. In the recording stage of self-monitoring, children are able to note their actions and make changes based on what happened in specific situations.

Having a set of strategies in place to address self-regulation needs, attention needs, or emotional supports is beneficial for use in the moment. Jotting down deviances of targeted behavior can help kids to become more aware of what happened in a specific situation and how they can make adjustments in the future to avoid specific behaviors, or how they can use accommodations and self-regulation tools to respond and react more appropriately.

3.) Look at what needs addressed to get to a future that is desired- So often, kids know they are making poor choices, but don’t know how to stop the routine of those poor choices. If they can use introspection to identify how and what they are feeling and why, they can respond to those choices with a plan in place.

This letter to future self is a great tool to identify areas of change and to start breaking down goals. Follow up with our goal ladder as another strategy to make step by step progress toward that future visualization.

Self Monitoring for Students

In educational settings, self monitoring for students is often supported through checklists, self-assessment forms, and visual supports. These tools give students the language and structure to “stop and think” before reacting or continuing a behavior.

Strategies like Zones of Regulation tools or classroom self-regulation check-ins help children reflect on their internal states and decide what strategies they need to use next. With practice, this helps students learn to monitor themselves without external prompts.

Self Regulation and Monitoring Skills

There is a strong connection between self monitoring and self regulation. Both require internal awareness and the ability to pause and adjust behavior. Building these monitoring skills can be as simple as embedding brain breaks into the school day or offering access to a calm down corner at home. A designated space for calm down strategies in the classroom can also be part of this process.

Note that when we say “calm down” strategies or a space, it’s not to say that monitoring oneself always needs a calm down process. It’s another tool in the toolbox when self monitoring brings awareness for a need to regulate.

These safe zones allow children to step away from stimulation and practice strategies like deep breathing before returning to class. Over time, the consistent use of these tools strengthens a student’s ability to monitor themselves independently.

Low Self Monitor Support

Students who are low self monitors may struggle with impulsivity, emotional outbursts, or unawareness of their impact on peers. These children benefit from explicit instruction in self-awareness, movement breaks, and simple feedback loops like “stop-think-do.”

OT professionals can support this through embedded routines, visuals, and by teaching children how to recognize signals from their body, like increased heart rate or clenched fists, as signs they need to act. Pairing these cues with targeted tools like a calming strategy kit or movement-based interventions gives these students a path toward improved awareness and regulation.

Self-Monitoring Strategies

In talking about self-monitoring skills, let’s first discuss what exactly self-monitoring is and what it means for kids to self-monitor their actions, thoughts, and behaviors.

Observation, or self-assessment may require work in order for the child to understand targeted behaviors.

Recording or measurement of actions can occur through several methods:

  • Checklists
  • Parent/Teacher/Student communication sheets (where the child inputs behaviors throughout the day)
  • Journaling in a notebook or a tool such as the Impulse Control Journal
  • Data collection sheets
  • Frequency collection forms
  • Self-graphing

Self Monitoring Tools

Effective self monitoring tools include sensory-based strategies such as heavy work activities and calming proprioceptive input. These interventions increase body awareness and support regulation by anchoring children to their physical experience. Incorporating a sensory diet into the day helps children know which tools they can use when they notice signs of dysregulation. When students understand what their body needs and how to access calming input, they become better equipped to monitor self in challenging moments.

Self-Monitoring Examples

  • Lists of appropriate actions or behaviors
  • Simple strategies to impact self-control
  • Visual cues
  • Verbal cues
  • Reminder notes
  • Goal setting
  • Journaling in a notebook or a tool such as the Impulse Control Journal
  • Coaching
  • Role-playing practice
  • Self-talk
  • Modeling from peers

The goal of this stage is to get students to move from a teacher/parent/therapist/adult support of self-assessment to a self-assessment status where the child identifies behaviors and actions that are off-target.

A child’s ability to stay organized can make a big impact on self-monitoring. Use the organization activities and strategies identified here.

Why is Self-Monitoring important?

When children self-monitor their actions and thoughts, so many areas are developed and progressed:

  • Attention
  • Behavior
  • Problem-solving abilities
  • Hindsight
  • Foresight
  • Persistence
  • Shift

You can see how each of the executive functioning skills play into the ability to self-monitor and how self-monitoring skills play into the development and use of each of the other executive functioning skills.

The ability to self-monitor actions, behaviors, thoughts impacts learning, mindset, social and emotional skills, and functional participation in everyday tasks.

Self-Monitoring Impacts Function

There are also functional skills that are developed and improved through self-monitoring:

  • Learning
  • Communication
  • Behavior
  • Task initiation
  • Task completion
  • Social-emotional interaction
  • Follow-through on learned skills

Self-Monitoring Strategies

Below, you will find additional self-monitoring strategies that can help children with the ability to identify and self-assess and self-adjust behaviors that may occur within the classroom, home, or other environment.

There are many examples of self-monitoring strategies that can be used to help students develop this skill. One technique is to use text-to-self connections, which involves asking students to relate new information to their own experiences or prior knowledge.

This can help them to better understand the material and make connections that will improve their memory and retention. Another strategy is to focus on executive function skills, such as time management, organization, and planning. By teaching students how to self-monitor these skills, they can become more independent and successful in their academic and personal lives.

These strategies should be viewed as supports that can be used independently by the child following instruction and input to teach strategy methods.

  • Make an outline for writing tasks, homework assignments, or multi-step assignments in order to keep the child on task.
  • Utilize a self-monitoring schedule- Ask the child to stop and self-check their actions, behaviors, or thoughts to make sure they are on-task.
  • Try an index card or other visual reminder on desks for a list of appropriate behaviors.
  • Use social stories to teach appropriate actions and reactions to specific situations in the home or classroom.
  • Incorporate a schedule of self-regulation strategies to address sensory, attention, and focusing needs. A sensory diet can help with this.
  • Teach the child to check and recheck- Teach children to stop and check and then re-check their behaviors.
  • Teach the child self-talk strategies.
  • Teach students to look at their finished assignment from their teacher’s eyes. This can help them have an outside view of completed work or actions in the classroom and adjust as appropriate.
  • Sensory or coping strategies scheduled throughout the day for sensory input or movement breaks.
  • Use a timer for scheduled self-assessment and self-reflection of behaviors or actions and recording of data.
  • Work toward fading self-monitoring visual and physical cues as well as data collection means.
  • Teach the child to journal experiences. The Impulse Control Journal can be a helpful tool for children who are able to write or dictate to an adult.

Related read– Find many strategies and activities to boost attention in kids here.  

Connecting the Dots: From Awareness to Action

Teaching kids to “monitor myself” involves much more than just adjusting their behaviors. Our goal as occupational therapy providers is to help individuals tune into what their body and brain are telling them.

As students grow in awareness, they learn to choose what tool they need in the moment, whether it’s a deep breath visual or a movement break to reset. This level of personal insight leads to empowered decision-making and functional participation across environments.

When a child can say, “I need a break,” “I’m starting to feel overwhelmed,” or “I need to do my calm breathing,” they are practicing real-world self monitoring and regulation skills.

Self-Monitoring Handout

Want to access this article as a printable PDF to use as a handout? Use the printable version in education to parents, teachers, therapists, and other professionals. Simply print off the printable version and add it to your therapy toolbox.

Note: In order to access this file, you will need to enter your email address. This allows us to send the PDF directly to your email. This is a 5 page printable self-monitoring strategy outline for educating those who work with kids with self-monitoring skills in kids.

Free Self-Monitoring Strategies Handouts

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    Impulse Control Journal the OT Toolbox

    The Impulse Control Journal…a printable resource for helping kids strategize executive functioning skill development. When saying “calm down” just isn’t enough…

    When a child is easily “triggered” and seems to melt down at any sign of loud noises or excitement…

    When you need help or a starting point to teach kids self-regulation strategies…

    When you are struggling to motivate or redirect a child without causing a meltdown…

    When you’re struggling to help kids explore their emotions, develop self-regulation and coping skills, manage and reflect on their emotions, identify their emotions, and more as they grow…

    Grab the Impulse Control Journal to build organizational strategies, planning, prioritization, habits, and mindset in kids.

    self-monitoring

    Self-monitoring is an essential skill for individuals to develop, especially those working with executive functioning skills. It involves paying attention to one’s own behavior, thoughts, and emotions, and adjusting them as necessary. Self-monitoring can help individuals identify their strengths and weaknesses, recognize patterns of behavior that may be problematic, and develop strategies for improving performance. By using self-monitoring strategies to address behavior and academic issues, professionals and educators can help students become more self-aware and develop greater self-control.

    Step-by-step self-monitoring

    Step-by-step teaching of self-monitoring is an effective way to help students learn this skill. It begins with identifying the behavior or skill that needs to be monitored, setting specific goals for improvement, and teaching the student how to keep track of their progress.

    This can be done using a self-monitoring checklist, which outlines the steps involved in the process and provides a clear roadmap for success. With practice, students can become more proficient at using self-monitoring strategies to track their own behavior and improve their academic and social skills.

    For students with ADHD, a self-monitoring checklist can be a helpful tool. It can help them stay focused and on task, monitor their own behavior, and track their progress towards goals.

    The checklist can include items like:

    • staying on task
    • following instructions
    • completing assignments on time

    By checking off items on the list, students can see their progress and feel a sense of accomplishment. It can also be used to provide feedback to parents and teachers, who can provide support and encouragement as needed.

    Self-monitoring can also be used as an intervention for students who are struggling with behavior or academic issues. By identifying the problem behavior or skill and teaching the student how to monitor and adjust it, professionals and educators can help the student improve their performance and develop greater self-control. Self-monitoring skills can be used in a variety of settings, including the classroom, home, and community.

    There are many different self-monitoring tools available that can help students develop this skill. These tools can include visual aids, like charts and checklists, or digital tools, like apps and software programs.

    The key is to find the right tool for the individual student and to provide ongoing support and encouragement as they develop their self-monitoring skills. With practice and persistence, individuals can become more self-aware, improve their behavior and academic performance, and develop greater confidence and independence.

    Colleen Beck, OTR/L has been an occupational therapist since 2000, working in school-based, hand therapy, outpatient peds, EI, and SNF. Colleen created The OT Toolbox to inspire therapists, teachers, and parents with easy and fun tools to help children thrive. Read her story about going from an OT making $3/hour (after paying for kids’ childcare) to a full-time OT resource creator for millions of readers. Want to collaborate? Send an email to contact@theottoolbox.com.

    Snowman Deep Breathing Exercise

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    winter deep breathing snowman

    Today, I have another fun deep breathing exercise to share with you! This time of year, it’s all about the snowmen. Now, you can use a snowman theme in a sensory coping strategy with deep breathing exercises with a snowman deep breathing exercise. It’s a free mindfulness printable that you can print and use all winter long.

    This is a great Winter activity to use along with our Winter occupational therapy crafts and our Winter fine motor activities. We also have a large variety of Winter Brain Break Ideas for supporting mobility and gross motor needs, Winter Bilateral Coordination Activities to hit on bilateral coordination and crossing midline needs, and Winter Mindfulness Activities. Put together, you have a winter theme for occupational therapy set up and ready to go.

    Deep breathing snowman winter sensory poster

    A Winter-Themed Calming Strategy for Kids
    Snowman deep breathing is a playful, effective tool for supporting self-regulation in young children. This printable activity combines the charm of a snowman with simple deep breathing exercises, helping kids calm their bodies and refocus their minds.

    With winter themes already present in many classrooms and therapy settings, this seasonal approach adds novelty to a familiar strategy. Incorporating sensory winter activities like this one into your therapy toolkit makes calming strategies more fun and engaging.

    This printable tool supports self-regulation needs. Using the power of relaxation breathing as coping strategies, kids can use this calming tool all Winter long.

    I like to use this printable along with our Winter Sensory Stations.

    The Sensory Component of Deep Breathing

    Breathing exercises offer powerful sensory input that impacts the autonomic nervous system to help with sensory dysregulation. When children breathe in deeply and exhale slowly, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, sending cues of safety and calm to the brain and body.

    Using a visual guide like a snowman breathing path supports visual processing and motor planning as children track along the snowman’s form while coordinating their breathing. This provides both proprioceptive input and a visual cue to reinforce regulation.

    Support Self-Regulation in a Fun, Seasonal Way

    Self-regulation is a foundation for functional performance in school, home, and community settings. When children experience big emotions, transitions, or sensory overload, they need strategies that are accessible and meaningful.

    The snowman breathing activity provides a concrete tool they can refer back to again and again. Whether it’s used as part of a winter sensory diet, a classroom calm-down corner, or during therapy, this printable promotes independence and emotional awareness (an important part of emotional intelligence).

    Use Across Settings: OT, Classroom, or Home


    This free snowman deep breathing printable is versatile enough for a variety of environments. Occupational therapists can use it in sessions to build routines around winter self-regulation tools.

    Educators might use it during morning meetings or after recess to support transitions. Parents can print it out and keep it on the fridge or in a sensory kit for use at home. By teaching children how to pause and breathe using a fun and familiar visual, we help them internalize tools for self-control.

    Expand the Strategy with Multi-Sensory Input

    Want to go beyond the printable? Combine the snowman breathing visual with real-world sensory strategies.

    • Add a winter-scented lotion (peppermint or vanilla) for a calming olfactory input
    • Pair the activity with a movement break using snowman-themed yoga or stretches.
    • You can even laminate the page and trace it with a finger or dry-erase marker to bring in tactile feedback.

    These simple additions amplify the impact of deep breathing while keeping it engaging and developmentally appropriate.

    Snowman theme deep breathing exercise

    A snowman image makes a great image for slow and mindful breathing. Use this as a guide to show children how to take a deep breath and then slowly breathe out.

    The visual prompts on this image includes a white dot where kids can pause and hold their breath for calming benefits.

    Use this deep breathing activity as a mindfulness activity for winter.

    You can print this off by entering your email address below. The printable will then be delivered to your email inbox.

    More winter deep breathing exercises

    You’ll love this polar bear self-regulation activity. Print and go!

    This penguin deep breathing exercise is fun, too.

    Grab the Winter Fine Motor Kit, with 100 pages of done-for-you therapy activities, including penguin themes. There are lacing cards, crafts, pencil control strips, scissor skills activities, and much more. Grab it now before January 9th and you get a bonus of 3 fine motor slide deck activities.

    CLICK HERE TO GET THE WINTER FINE MOTOR KIT.

    Want to grab this free printable? Enter your email in the form below. You’ll receive the deep breathing worksheet immediately in your email inbox.

    winter fine motor kit

    Enter your email address in the form below to access the snowman deep breathing exercise.

    Free Snowman Theme Deep Breathing Exercise

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      Colleen Beck, OTR/L has been an occupational therapist since 2000, working in school-based, hand therapy, outpatient peds, EI, and SNF. Colleen created The OT Toolbox to inspire therapists, teachers, and parents with easy and fun tools to help children thrive. Read her story about going from an OT making $3/hour (after paying for kids’ childcare) to a full-time OT resource creator for millions of readers. Want to collaborate? Send an email to contact@theottoolbox.com.

      Pumpkin Deep Breathing Exercise for Halloween Mindfulness

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      Pumpkin deep breathing exercise

      This Pumpkin Deep Breathing Exercise is the very first visual breathing tool that we created here on the website. We now have many more deep breathing exercises designed to support self-regulation, mindfulness, and brain break needs. We’ve recently updated this Halloween mindfulness activity to include more information on WHY this pumpkin deep breathing strategy works. We’ve also updated the printable to include a pumpkin breathing poster and a pumpkin mindfulness coloring page! This printable deep breathing exercise is a great Halloween Mindfulness mindfulness activity.

      This pumpkin deep breathing exercise would be a fun addition to the sensory benefits of our pumpkin sensory bin activity.

      You can get both below or access them in our Member’s Club.

      Pumpkin Deep breathing exercise

      Pumpkin Deep Breathing Exercise

      This Halloween activity is one that I came up with while thinking about our recent Halloween Occupational Therapy activities post. So often, we see kids who struggle with coping strategies and require tools to improve self regulation.

      This can occur at school or at home. What if we could combine a child’s interest in all things Halloween with a deep breathing exercise that can be used as a coping strategy, or a calm down activity?

      That’s where this pumpkin deep breathing exercise comes in.

      This deep breathing exercise uses a pumpkin for a coping strategy for kids that is a calm down strategy this Halloween.

      Halloween Mindfulness Activity

      We’ve created many breathing exercises to calm down kids (and adults) here on the website, and this pumpkin themed mindfulness strategy is just one of the tools in the toolbox.

      So often, parents and teachers ask for strategies to use as a coping mechanism. When kids have coping tools in their toolbox for addressing sensory needs, worries, and getting to that “just right” state of regulation, a self-reflective state can occur.

      Addressing specific needs like sensory overload, worries or anxiety, fears, or nervousness can be as simple as having a set of sensory coping strategies on hand. One way to do this is using mindfulness and positive coping skills like this deep breathing exercises.

      Using deep breathing exercises to support mindfulness and coping skills works for several reasons:

      • When kids are taught about how their body feels and reacts in certain situations, they can self-reflect on past responses.
      • They can better understand who they are and how their body reacts to stressful or sensory situations.
      • By better understanding their states of regulation, they can be mindful of things that may set them off, but better yet, know how to respond.
      • Having a coping strategy on hand can set them up for success in learning or social situations.

      Practicing mindfulness activities and coping strategies can be powerful for kids!

      Mindfulness is the ability and awareness of thoughts, feelings, and sensations as our body responds or reacts in thought, feeling, and sensations. Mindfulness is being present in the moment in any given situation with full awareness of inward and outward sensations. Practicing mindful awareness through deep breathing exercises is one way to notice how our body is reacting in a given moment and provides a tool to reset. Coping skills for kids may include deep breathing as just one strategy.

      Here are some mindfulness videos on YouTube to help kids better understand what coping strategies and mindfulness in action looks and feels like.

      Deep breathing acts as a coping tactic and a calming activity. It’s an easy coping strategy for kids because taking deep breaths with mindful breathing can be done anywhere and without any equipment.

      Taking controlled breaths with deep breathing can give kids a sense of control that helps them rest and address self-regulation or emotional regulation when they are upset, worried, or feel a need to calm down.

      Halloween Breathing Exercise

      So now that we’ve covered deep breathing and why it’s a helpful coping strategy for kids, let’s talk about a fun Halloween themed coping strategy that kids will love to try.

      The deep breathing printable activity uses a simple picture of a pumpkin, but you can use a real pumpkin, too.

      Use a real pumpkin for more sensory benefits.

      The small decorative gourds or pie pumpkins are perfect for this activity, because kids can hold the small pumpkin in their hands and feel the weight of the pumpkin as they complete the breathing strategy.

      1. Hold a small pumpkin in the palm of your hand.
      2. Use your pointer finger of your other hand to slowly trace up a ridge and breathe in.
      3. Then trace down another ridge and breathe out.
      4. Continue tracing the ridges of the pumpkin while deeply breathing in and out.

      Take the breathing exercise a step further by trace the lines up toward the stem while taking a deep breath in. Hold the breath for a few seconds and then trace a line down another section of the pumpkin while slowly breathing out. Hold that breath for a few seconds. Repeat this process as you slowly trace up and down the sections of the pumpkin.

      What’s happening with this pumpkin breathing exercise?

      Several sensory systems are at work here when using a real pumpkin in this Halloween mindfulness strategy:

      Heavy Work- The weight of the pumpkin on the arches of the palm of the hand= PROPRIOCEPTIVE sensory system.

      Calming Tactile Cues- Engaging the tactile sensory system to trace the ridges of a smooth surface. Think about how some individuals like rubbing specific textures like a silky blanket or the calming strips of a fidget tool. Running a finger along the groove of a smooth pumpkin surface engages that calming tactile input.

      Belly Breathing- Deep breaths combined with a visual focus offers proprioceptive input through the lungs and diaphragm. Engage belly breathing by taking in fully breaths to fully engage the lungs. Then hold the breath for a second or two before releasing the breath. When belly breathing is engaged, the lungs continue to expand for a moment and add further pressure throughout the ribcage and internal organs. This breath control evokes the interoceptive system.

      Bilateral Coordination- When holding the pumpkin and tracing with a finger on the other hand, both sides of the body are at work in a coordinated manner, otherwise known as bilateral coordination. Holding the pumpkin with one hand and tracing with the other hand engages bilateral use of both sides of the body.

      Whether you are using a pumpkin picture or real pumpkin, show kids how to use deep breathing as a coping tool by taking calming breaths while they trace the lines of the pumpkin.

      Pumpkin deep breathing poster and coloring page
      Pumpkin deep breathing poster and coloring page

      Halloween Deep Breathing Poster

      In this newest update to our calming breathing exercise, we created both a pumpkin deep breathing poster and a coloring page.

      1. The poster can be printed out and hung in a classroom, therapy clinic or home.

      2. Use the deep breathing exercise as a brain break during the month of October.

      3. It’s a great tool for using during Halloween parties as a therapist- approved activity that supports underlying needs, too.

      4. Many times, children can become overstimulated during classroom Halloween parties, and the days leading up to Halloween. Use the pumpkin deep breathing visual as a tool for the whole classroom to organize their sensory systems and focus on the learning that still needs to happen.

      5. This printable page is full color and makes a great addition to a calm down corner this time of year.

      6. You can even add the pumpkin breathing poster to our Fall Sensory Stations, and include this in a hallway or therapy clinic this time of year.

      7. One final way to use this pumpkin mindfulness exercise is during the actual trick or treating. Kids with sensory or self-regulation needs can become overstimulated during trick or treating on Halloween. There is a lot of sensory stimulation out there! From lights, to fog machines, children running in the streets, and lots of strangers in the neighborhood, trick-or-treating is an overloading environment for many kids and adults! Print off a copy of this pumpkin deep breathing tool and use it calm down, engage focused breathing strategies, and cope as needed!

      Pumpkin Breathing Coloring Page

      In the new download below, you’ll also find a page that is a pumpkin breathing coloring page. We know there are many benefits of coloring and one is the calming ability that coloring has.

      Adding heavy work by coloring in pages can be a great way to calm the sensory system through heavy work in the hands.

      Print off the coloring page and use it in several ways this time of year:

      • Color in at occupational therapy sessions
      • Use as a whole class activity
      • Kids can color in the breathing exercise page and use them as individual brain break tools
      • Hang the coloring page on a bulletin board for Halloween that explains sensory self-regulation strategies
      • Include in a Halloween party
      Use a pumpkin as a deep breathing exercise for a coping strategy for kids.

      This printable Halloween mindfulness activity supports coping needs.

      Free Pumpkin Deep Breathing Exercise

      Want to get this free Pumpkin breathing exercise in both a color Poster format AND a coloring page? You’ve got it! Just enter your email address into the form below to access both printable pages.

      This resource is also inside our Member’s Club. Members can log into their accounts and download the file directly without the need to enter an email address. The printable pages are located on our Pumpkin Therapy Theme page and our Mindfulness Toolbox.

      Not a member of the Member’s Club yet? JOIN US HERE.

      Pumpkin Deep Breathing Exercise

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        Pumpkin activity kit
        Pumpkin Fine Motor Kit

        Grab the Pumpkin Fine Motor Kit for more coloring, cutting, and eye-hand coordination activities with a Pumpkin theme! It includes:

        • 7 digital products that can be used any time of year- has a “pumpkins” theme
        • 5 pumpkin scissor skills cutting strips
        • Pumpkin scissor skills shapes- use in sensory bins, math, sorting, pattern activities
        • 2 pumpkin visual perception mazes with writing activity
        • Pumpkin “I Spy” sheet – color in the outline shapes to build pencil control and fine motor strength
        • Pumpkin Lacing cards – print, color, and hole punch to build bilateral coordination skills
        • 2 Pumpkin theme handwriting pages – single and double rule bold lined paper for handwriting practice

        Work on underlying fine motor and visual motor integration skills so you can help students excel in handwriting, learning, and motor skill development.

        You can grab this Pumpkin Fine Motor kit for just $6!

        Halloween Mindfulness Activities

        Use this printable pumpkin deep breathing exercise as a Halloween mindfulness activity. Other printable Halloween mindfulness activities include:

        Halloween Hand Breathing Technique

        We also have a new deep breathing exercise for the Fall or Halloween season. If using a printable to achieve Halloween coping skills isn’t ideal (sometimes you don’t have the printable version with you…or for some kids it might be hard for them to picture a pumpkin as they are coping with some self-regulation needs…), then having another tool in your toolbox is a must.

        We’ve come up with a Halloween Hand Breathing Technique to fit the bill!

        All you need is your hands and fingers to using this hand tracing breathing strategy.

        We talk a bit about using the Hand Breathing Technique for a self-reset to address coping skills, mindset, offset worries or anxiety, and as a deep breathing strategy.

        Check out our video over on YouTube, or you can see it below. If you can’t view the video due to blockers on your computer or device, check out our Pumpkin Hand Breathing Technique over on YouTube.

        To complete the Halloween Hand breathing technique, you can use the same pumpkin deep breathing strategy, but trace a pumpkin on the palm of your hand. We also included a pumpkin tracing task to create a motor plan for the pumpkin shape that is incorporated with deep breaths in and out.

        FAQ about Using a Pumpkin Deep Breathing Exercise with Kids

        Why is deep breathing important for kids?
        Deep breathing helps children manage stress, calm their minds, and improve focus. It also teaches them a valuable tool for self-regulation and emotional control. The pumpkin deep breathing exercise provides a great visual prompt for breathing strategies.

        How do you use deep breathing exercises during the day with kids?
        The best way is to make it part of a routine! Add this to a sensory diet or just incorporate at different parts of the day, like before walking out the door in the morning.

        How often should kids do deep breathing exercises?
        Kids can practice deep breathing exercises daily or as needed when they feel anxious, stressed, or need help calming down. Short sessions of 3-5 minutes are usually sufficient.

        What’s a simple deep breathing exercise to start with?
        I like using the pumpkin breathing strategy because it’s fun! You can add something called “Belly Breathing”, too. Have your child place their hands on their belly, breathe in deeply through the nose to fill their belly like a balloon, and then exhale slowly through the mouth.

        How can I make deep breathing fun for kids?
        Use visual aids like the pumpkin in the picture to trace while breathing. Adding a coloring page like the one in our pumpkin deep breathing exercise printable is fun, too.

        What should I do if my child is resistant to deep breathing exercises?
        Keep the practice light and fun. Use props like a real pumpkin that they can trace as they breathe. It’s important to be patient and not force the practice, allowing the child to engage at their own pace.

        How can I incorporate deep breathing into our daily routine?
        A: You can incorporate deep breathing during transitions, such as before homework, after school, or as part of the bedtime routine. Making it a regular part of the day helps it become a natural and effective coping tool.

        Have fun!

        Colleen Beck, OTR/L has been an occupational therapist since 2000, working in school-based, hand therapy, outpatient peds, EI, and SNF. Colleen created The OT Toolbox to inspire therapists, teachers, and parents with easy and fun tools to help children thrive. Read her story about going from an OT making $3/hour (after paying for kids’ childcare) to a full-time OT resource creator for millions of readers. Want to collaborate? Send an email to contact@theottoolbox.com.

        Emotional Regulation Games

        by
        Don't Break the Ice game for self regulation. Ice cubes on the image say coping tools, worries, heavy work, brain breaks, etc.

        If you are looking for tools to support and develop self-regulation skills, then you are in the right place. In this post, you’ll find emotional regulation games for self-regulation and specifically, Zones of Regulation games. These children’s games for emotional awareness and self-regulation were selected because they are fun ways to support emotional regulation, self-control, and social emotional developmental milestone achievement through game play. And, importantly, they support and teach the Zones of Regulation program by playing games.

        Be sure to check out our comprehensive list of children’s books to teach the Zones of Regulation, and calm down toy suggestions, too!

        Emotional regulation games to support emotional awareness an self-regulation and teach Zones of Regulation or other regulation curriculum.

        Emotional regulation Games

        Using over-the-counter games as emotional awareness tools is a cheap and creative way to foster the engagement of children in the learning process of emotional awareness and self-regulation. 

        Children love playing games and using them in this manner provides a great therapeutic tool for kids to practice these important skills. 

        Granted, some games do help children work on self-regulation naturally while others need just a little adaptation to make them worthy of being called self-regulation and emotional awareness tools.  

        You’ll also want to check out our self awareness games as additional supports for developing these skills.

        How to use games to support emotional regulation

        How exactly do you use over-the-counter games to help children learn about feelings and emotions?

        Think about how the simple playing of a game or just a slight adaptation to the game can create the just right therapeutic activity to help children work on identifying and expressing feelings and emotions. Maybe just adding simple facial expressions, emojis, or even a descriptive word to the board, tokens, spinner, or the game cards could give the ‘just right’ challenge for a child. 

        How exactly do you use over-the-counter games to help children learn self-regulation skills? 

        Think about how playing these games naturally can help children to practice emotional regulation skills:

        • Recalling the rules
        • Keeping their focus
        • Attention to game play and the play of others
        • Accepting and coping with winning and losing
        • Flexibility of thinking as they play against an opponent
        • Inhibition of impulses during play

        These are all necessary skills that are directly related to self-regulation. 

        Zones of Regulation Games

        Take the time to consider how you may be able to adapt or modify an over-the-counter game allowing game play to incorporate regulation and emotional awareness programs such as, The Zones of Regulation®, The Alert Program®, and SuperFlex…A Superhero Social Thinking Curriculum®.

        Maybe just adding the colors from these curriculums like red, orange, yellow, green, and blue might be all you need to do to easily add-in learning of these curriculum concepts during play. 

        Adapted Over-the-Counter Games

        Over-the-counter games are a great go-to and others have taken the time to do just what is discussed here.  Read on to discover some of the fun ways that others have used to address these important skills with children of all ages.

        Don't Break the Ice game for self regulation. Ice cubes on the image say coping tools, worries, heavy work, brain breaks, etc.

        One game we love to use as a self regulation tool is Don’t Break the Ice. It uses the regular game, but we adapt it to meet the needs of the individual, whether that be brain breaks or specific coping tools.

        Amazon affiliate links are included below.

        Use the game, “Don’t Break the Ice” in a Coping Skills activity- We love the idea of using Don’t Break the Ice to work on coping strategies. You can print off labels or even use round label stickers and put one on each ice block. Write out actions like deep breaths, mindful breathing, wall push ups, etc. Then when kids pound on the ice cubes, they can do the actions that are on the ice cubes that fall. This game can be used to help children learn and discuss coping strategies by having them perform the techniques or discuss strategies that are printed on each ice block. Makes a wonderful self-regulation game by simply just writing on the blocks – easy! 

        Grab Don’t Break the Ice HERE. (affiliate link)

        Use the game, “Don’t Break the Ice” in a Worry activity- Another way that we love to use the game Don’t Break the Ice, is to target worries. When kids pound an ice cube out from the game, they can name a worry or a stressor. This opens up communication with action of moving the hammer to remove ice pieces. How easy is that? Makes it a unique way to have children share about worries, what happens in their bodies, gain some understanding, and learn helpful coping strategies. 

        Grab Don’t Break the Ice HERE. (affiliate link)

        Connect 4 Emotions: This game is adapted by simply placing emotions stickers on the red and yellow chips and when a player picks up a piece to place it, they must share a time that they have felt that emotion. This can easily be used to identify emotions or even identify an appropriate coping strategy to deal with an emotion.

        Grab Connect 4 HERE. (affiliate link)

        Emotions Twister: This is a super fun way to work on emotions while using the Twister mat and incorporating the Zones of Regulation® colors by drawing facial expressions on the dots! Makes for a great supplement to the curriculum! 

        Grab Twister HERE. (affiliate link)

        Emotions Uno: Using a deck of Uno cards, children talk about the emotions related to the card colors with an adult providing subject prompts. Children can talk about experiences and the emotions they felt during those times.

        Grab UNO HERE. (affiliate link)

        Feelings Jenga or Exploring Emotions Jenga: This is a fun way to help children explore and talk about feelings and emotions by having children answer questions related to specific emotions. Makes a great tool to use in small groups!

        Grab Jenga HERE. (affiliate link)

        Feelings Mancala: This old-time game has been turned into a game for emotional awareness and development. Facial stickers are placed into the bottom of each hole on the board and then the game is played with each player sharing about a time they felt a particular feeling or emotion. 

        Grab Mancala HERE. (affiliate link)

        Another idea is to simply use the Jeepers Peepers Guessing Game Glasses or the Hedbanz Headbands with cards from the Superflex curriculum. Children don the glasses or headbands from these games and then place the Thinkable or Unthinkable cards (affiliate link) onto the glasses or headbands and have a child try to describe them.

        Grab Headbanz HERE. (affiliate link)

        Classic Games to teach emotional regulation

        How about trying some of the classic games or even classic toys that we all know and love but that do not require the use of a board game?  That’s right.  Enjoy these fun ideas designed for children to learn about emotions and feelings as well as self-regulation and coping. 

        Feelings Matchbox Cars Parking Lot: Kids love Hot Wheels and Matchbox Cars and there are cars designed for every child’s interest.  But have you thought about using them to park in spots of a feelings and coping parking lot? Makes an easy DIY activity using some classic toys! 

        Grab Matchbox Cars HERE. (affiliate link)

        Hopscotch: This is a super easy gross motor activity that kids can use to identify and discuss emotions and feelings.  Makes a classic turn into a newbie! 

        Grab this Portable Hopscotch Board (with Zones Colors) HERE. (affiliate link)

        Hula Hoops and Zone of Regulation: Everyone loves to try using a Hula Hoop!  Kids and adults alike will pick one up and try to play with it.  This activity uses this fun classic toy by helping children identify the different zones and what makes one be in that zone. So, they are learning about the feelings while also learning about curriculum concepts. 

        Grab a Hula Hoop set in Zones colors HERE. (affiliate link)

        Zones of Regulation Lego Towers: Kids enjoy building with Legos and they have been a core toy for years and years. Children see Legos and they immediately go to them and begin creating something fun! Try using them to create some fun Lego Towers that helps children identify emotions, feelings, and coping strategies. Makes for Lego love on a whole new level! 

        Grab DUPLO blocks HERE. (larger blocks- affiliate link)

        Grab LEGO blocks HERE. (Smaller blocks for hand strengthening- affiliate link)

        Social Emotional Games

        Maybe you have the money to spend on actual board games that address the skills of emotional awareness and self-regulation.  If so, take a look at these fun games designed just for that purpose!

        BBQ Emotions (affiliate link)- This game has large skewers that help children to recognize and manage 10 different emotions. Children will discuss them and how to deal with them as if they are ingredients. This makes for a fun game that can be played individually or in a small group. 

        Grab BBQ Emotions HERE. (affiliate link)

        Emotion-oes – This fun domino game helps children to recognize and identify emotions by matching the pieces just as they would if playing regular dominoes.

        Emotional Roller Coaster (affiliate link) – This anger management game helps children learn coping and calm down strategies when they are experiencing the feeling of anger.

        Grab Emotional Roller Coaster HERE.  (affiliate link)

        Emotions Bingo (affiliate link)- This simple bingo game helps children to recognize and identify emotions by scanning and matching the pieces just as they would if playing regular bingo. It helps kids to talk about how to handle feelings in a healthy way.

        Grab Emotions BINGO HERE. (affiliate link)

        Grab Emotions BINGO for Teens HERE. (affiliate link)

        My Feelings Game (affiliate link)– This game has 280 scenarios that help children to express their feelings and how to cope with them appropriately. 

        Grab My Feelings Game HERE. (affiliate link)

        Social Skills Board Games (affiliate link)– This is a set of board games designed to help children work together to improve their overall social skills and can help children to learn about their feelings and the feelings of others. One particular board game is designed to show emotions and how to manage them.

        Grab this 6 Pack of Conflict Resolution Games HERE. (affiliate link)

        No Waries (affiliate link)– This game is a social emotional card game that helps children to learn about and understand emotions and in turn, helps them to acquire important social emotional skills.

        Grab No Waries HERE. (affiliate link)

        So, get brave and use your over-the-counter OT eye to find a game or toy that you can use to help a child build or develop important social-emotional skills while having some creative fun!

        Regina Allen

        Regina Parsons-Allen is a school-based certified occupational therapy assistant. She has a pediatrics practice area of emphasis from the NBCOT. She graduated from the OTA program at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute in Hudson, North Carolina with an A.A.S degree in occupational therapy assistant. She has been practicing occupational therapy in the same school district for 20 years. She loves her children, husband, OT, working with children and teaching Sunday school. She is passionate about engaging, empowering, and enabling children to reach their maximum potential in ALL of their occupations as well assuring them that God loves them!

        Oral Motor Exercises with a Cotton Ball Bunny

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        bunny craft

        Working on oral motor exercises as a sensory processing strategy for self-regulation, or as an oral motor tool to address physical needs? Ok, so we made a cute little cotton ball bunny to use in an Easter sensory activity as a small world play area to work on fine motor skills with an Easter theme. However, using them in imagination play, but, there are so many oral motor benefits to using these little cotton ball bunnies, too.

        It was so much fun with that little cotton ball bunny family that we turned it into a big old collection of bunnies! That’s not all…we used them in an oral motor exercise, with major self-regulation benefits. Here is a how to for this Easter craft for kids as well as a run-down on oral motor skill work with everyday items.

        One thing I love about this is that we were blowing cotton balls with straws as a calming and regulating activity, but it was a lot of fun, too!

        You’ll also want to check out our other Bunny Activities:

        oral motor exercises with an easter theme using a cotton ball bunny craft

        Oral Motor Exercises with an Easter Theme

        Oral motor skills play a big part of feeding. In fact oral motor problems and feeding can impact food preferences as well as ability to eat certain food textures. There is a lot of information on oral motor skills on The OT Toolbox.

        We’ve covered development of oral motor skills to the physical traits you may see with oral motor issues such as exaggerated jaw movements and issues that arise with stability bite patterns. Here is more information if you are wondering if feeding issues are related to oral motor skills or sensory concerns…or both.

        Adding sensory work through the mouth in the form of proprioception is a powerful way to help kids recenter and gain input that is calming and regulating. That input “wakes up” the muscles of the mouth.

        There is a mindfulness portion to this oral motor strategy, too. Taking deep breaths is so important in relaxation it brings awareness to your body. In this Easter oral motor activity, kids can blow through a straw to move the cotton ball bunnies while focusing on a static viewpoint at the end of the straw.

        Did you know that blowing cotton balls with straws can do all of this??

        Talk about centering and regulating! You can even ask the child to breathe in while you count to 5 and then breath out as they move the bunny with the power of their breath.

        This oral motor exercise uses straws and cotton ball bunnies for an Easter themed

        Oral Motor Exercises for Heavy work

        To do this self regulation activity, it’s actually pretty simple.

        1. Line up a row of cotton ball bunnies on the table.
        2. Give the child a straw and ask them to blow into the straw to push the bunny toward a target.
        3. You can ask them to move a certain number of bunnies in a specific amount of time, or they can simply move all of the bunny family with their breath.
        bunny craft

        Oral Motor Exercise

        I wanted to try a little Easter-themed game with Big Sister.  (She didn’t know that it was actually an oral motor exercise that supports development!)

        I put the cotton ball bunnies out on the table, along with the grass and some straws.    She had to blow the bunnies into the grass using a straw. 

        Scroll below for instructions on how to make the DIY grass matt to use in sensory play activities.

        To make the oral motor exercise easier or harder:

        1. Try using different lengths of straws to change the breath power and amount of deep breathing they need to take.
        2. You can also pinch the straw to require more effort in the oral motor therapy idea.
        3. Try using different types of straws, too. Some ideas include using a large sports straw like we did in the pictures here, or a coffee stirrer straw.

        The options are endless and can be means of grading this activity up or down to meet the specific needs of the child.

        This is a fun exercise/game for kids with oral-motor problems including poor lip closure, stability of the jaw, or muscle development of the mouth, jaw, and tongue.  Blowing through a straw can also help with sensorimotor integration. 

        Older kids who constantly put things into their mouth (pencils, clothing, fingers…) may be seeking oral input/sensorimotor input that their body needs.   

        This game is a fun way to work on any of these areas.  Use fatter straws at first and work toward thinner straws for a graded exercise.  If this activity to too difficult for your child with oral-motor or sensorimotor needs, try a smaller item such as a feather or a crafting fuzz ball.  

        You could also work on oral motor skills and the proprioceptive heavy work with this Egg Boat activity.

        Oral motor exercises like these are beneficial to add heavy work input through the mouth and lips that is calming and regulating.

        These oral motor exercises have an Easter theme anc can work on oral sensory needs for self-regulation or oral motor therapy.
        Make this Easter fine motor activity using a cotton ball bunny craft. Kids will love to use this in an Easter play activity with preschoolers and toddlers

        Fine Motor Skills Activity

        These little Easter bunny crafts were perfect to in a fine motor skills activity, too. With a tray, a handful of river rocks, and a DIY crepe paper matt, we made an Easter-themed small world to work on fine motor skills with my littlest one.

        My daughter, who was a toddler in these photos, loved to explore and play as she picked up and moved the cotton ball bunnies, the rocks, and small carrots.

        Easter play ideas using a DIY sensory mat and cotton ball bunny crafts for kids to use in fine motor work.

        To make the grass matt, we used a roll of green crepe paper. It was glued on one side to a sheet of construction paper. I asked my preschooler to snip into the edges of the top side of the crepe paper, so it made a fringed edge. This was a great scissor activity for her.

        This Easter play activity turned out to be a fun fine motor activity for toddlers and a fine motor ideas for preschoolers, too! I think the quote from my preschooler was… “Wow, this is cool, Mom!”

        This cotton ball bunny craft is so much fun for fine motor skill activities and oral motor skills work.

        Easter Play IDEA

        Play idea for toddlers- Baby Girl especially loved playing with the little bunnies in an Easter small world play set-up.  She would move the bunnies, stones, and carrots one at a time from the bowl to the grass…and then back again.

        Play idea for preschoolers- Big Sister had fun using the bunnies for imagination play, making them go into their garden, lining up the rocks, and making the bunnies steal the carrots.  

        Little Guy wanted nothing to do with any of this. I guess there were not any superheroes or bad guys involved.  Cute little bunnies are not his thing 🙂  

        This Easter play idea is great for workingon fine motor skills with toddlers and preschoolers.

        We are having a lot of fun with our little bunnies!

        Make this cotton ball bunny craft to use in easter themed sensory play and fine motor skills activities

        TO make the Cotton Ball Bunny Craft

        Making this Easter bunny craft is super easy.

        1. We used a glue gun to make sure the pieces were securely attached for sensory play with my toddler. However, regular craft glue would work as well.
        2. You’ll need a cotton ball, white foam sheet, and a pink felt sheet.
        3. Cut out two large white ears and two smaller pieces for the inner ear.
        4. Use the craft glue to hold these pieces in place.
        5. Add gentle pressure to make sure all of the pieces are securely attached.

        This bunny craft came together fairly quickly, so I was able to create a whole set of the bunnies.

        Then, use them to play!

        This Easter craft idea is great for fine motor activities for preschoolers and toddlers with an Easter theme.

        Spring Fine Motor Kit

        Score Fine Motor Tools and resources and help kids build the skills they need to thrive!

        Developing hand strength, dexterity, dexterity, precision skills, and eye-hand coordination skills that kids need for holding and writing with a pencil, coloring, and manipulating small objects in every day task doesn’t need to be difficult. The Spring Fine Motor Kit includes 100 pages of fine motor activities, worksheets, crafts, and more:

        Spring fine motor kit set of printable fine motor skills worksheets for kids.
        • Lacing cards
        • Sensory bin cards
        • Hole punch activities
        • Pencil control worksheets
        • Play dough mats
        • Write the Room cards
        • Modified paper
        • Sticker activities
        • MUCH MORE

        Click here to add this resource set to your therapy toolbox.

        Spring Fine Motor Kit
        Spring Fine Motor Kit: TONS of resources and tools to build stronger hands.

        Grab your copy of the Spring Fine Motor Kit and build coordination, strength, and endurance in fun and creative activities. Click here to add this resource set to your therapy toolbox.

        Colleen Beck, OTR/L has been an occupational therapist since 2000, working in school-based, hand therapy, outpatient peds, EI, and SNF. Colleen created The OT Toolbox to inspire therapists, teachers, and parents with easy and fun tools to help children thrive. Read her story about going from an OT making $3/hour (after paying for kids’ childcare) to a full-time OT resource creator for millions of readers. Want to collaborate? Send an email to contact@theottoolbox.com.

        Coping Strategies for Kids

        by
        coping strategies

        Whether it’s the classroom, home, or day to day life…coping strategies for kids are needed. Coping strategies are mechanisms or tools to adjust and respond to emotions, stressors, and unbalance so that one can function and complete daily occupations, or everyday tasks. Coping tools help to balance and regulate a person. Coping strategies can look different for every individual and that’s why this giant list of coping skills will be powerful in building a toolbox of strategies for kids (or teens and adults!)

        Coping strategies like the ones listed here can be used in conjunction with an emotions check in and feelings check in to support self awareness and self regulation skills.

        the strategies that we’ve shared here are great for adding to a budget sensory room in the school environment, or a calm down corner at home.

        Coping strategies

        What are Coping Strategies


        We all need coping strategies! It can be difficult to cope with stress or worries as a child.  Most of the time, it can be hard to just figure out what is going on with the mood swings, frustration, behaviors, and lack of focus.  Most of these problems can be a result of a multitude of problems!  

        And, helping kids to understand the size of the problem is part of this because then we can help them know how to cope.

        Self regulation strategies use coping mechanisms to support various states of emotional and behavioral levels. The Zones of Regulation and the Alert Program both use coping tools to support emotional and behavioral needs.

        From emotional regulation concerns, to sensory processing issues, to executive functioning struggles, to anxiety, communication issues, or cognitive levels–ALL of the resulting behaviors can benefit from coping strategies.

        Here on The OT Toolbox, I’ve shared sensory coping strategies for anxiety or worries. These can be used for so many other underlying concerns as well.


        It’s not just overstimulation anxiety or worries that causes a need for sensory-based coping strategies. Emotional regulation, an unbalanced sense of being, stress, situational or environmental issues…the list of concerns that would benefit from sensory coping tools could go on and on.

        Incorporating sensory strategies and sensory play into a coping toolbox can help kids with a multitude of difficulties.  Try using some of these ideas in isolation and use others in combination with one or two others.  The thing about coping strategies is that one thing might help with issues one time, but not another.

        Coping strategies for kids that help kids with regulation, emotions, stress, worries.

        Coping Strategies for Kids 

        One thing to remember is that every child is vastly different. What helps one child cope may not help another child in the same class or grade.  Children struggle with issues and need an answer for their troubles for many different reasons.  The underlying issues like auditory processing issues or low frustration tolerance are all part of the extremely complex puzzle.

        Other contributions to using coping strategies include a child’s self-regulation, executive functioning skills, self-esteem, emotional regulation, and frustration tolerance. That makes sense, right? It’s all connected!

        Coping Skills for Kids meet needs

        Coping skills are the tools that a person can use to deal with stressful situations. Coping strategies help a us deal with occupational unbalance, so that we can be flexible and persistent in addressing those needs.

        Coping skills in children can be used based on the needs of the individual child.  Also, there is a lot to consider about the influence of factors that affect the person’s ability to cope with areas of difficulty.  Likewise, feedback from precious coping efforts relates to the efficacy of a coping plan. (Gage, 1992).

        Coping skills in kids depends on many things: wellness, self-regulation, emotional development, sensory processing, and more.

        Having a set of coping skills benefit children and adults!  Every one of us has stress or worries in some manner or another.  Children with sensory processing issues, anxiety, or social emotional struggles know the stress of frustration to situations.  It’s no surprise that some of these issues like sensory processing disorder and anxiety are linked.

        Research on wellness tells us that child well being is dependent on various factors, including parental resources, parental mental health, parental relationship quality, parenting quality, father involvement, family types, and family stability. What’s more is that taking a look at the overall balance in a family and the child can provide understanding into things like stress, frustration, anxiety, and overwhelming feelings. The wellness wheel can help with getting a big picture look at various components of overall well-being.

        Coping Flexibility

        In fact, studies tell us that coping flexibility may be an important way to investigate coping. Coping flexibility, or an individual’s ability to modify and change coping strategies depending on the context, can be impacted by executive functioning difficulties including flexible thinking, working memory, impulse control, emotional control, and self-monitoring.

        And, having more coping strategies in one’s toolbox coping may be an important precursor to coping flexibility, especially because having flexibility in coping abilities can only be obtained if an individual is able to access and use different coping strategies. It’s the chicken or the egg concept!

        Another study found that children who used problem solving or constructive communication were better able to manage stress and that those who used maladaptive strategies like suppressing, avoiding or denying their feelings, had higher levels of problems related to stress. It makes sense. The most effective coping strategies are ones that adapting to the stressors rather than trying to change the stressors.

        So, how can we help with stress and frustrations?  One tool is having a set of sensory coping strategies available to use in these situations.    

        Types of coping skills

        All of this said, we can break down coping skills for kids into different types of coping strategies that can be added to a coping toolbox:

        Physical- exercise, movement, brain breaks, heavy work are some examples. Physical coping strategies might include pounding a pillow in frustration, using a fidget toy, running, yoga.

        Sensory- While there is a physical component to sensory coping strategies (proprioception and vestibular input are just that: physical movement…and the act of participating in sensory coping strategies involves movement and physical action of the body’s sensory systems) this type of coping tool is separated for it’s uniqueness. Examples include aromatherapy, listening to music, mindfulness (interoception), and sensory play.

        Sensory strategies that are motivating can be a big help for some kids. Try these train themed sensory activity ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

        Emotional- Thinking about one’s feelings and emotions is the start of emotional regulation and social development. Acting out feelings, talking to a friend or teacher…communication is huge!

        These social skills activities are a great way to build awareness of self and others and can double as coping tools too.

        Communication- Talking about feelings, talking to others, writing in a journal, singing. Have you ever just had to “vent” your feelings about a situation? That ability to “let it all out” is a way to process a situation and talk through solutions, or find common ground in a situation.

        Use this list of coping skills to help kids build a coping skills toolbox.

        List of Coping skills

        1. Move- Get up and run in place, jog, do jumping jacks, or hop in place.

        2. Fidget tools in school– Use learning-friendly fidget tools, perfect for the classroom or at-home learning space. Here is one desk fidget tool that kids can use while learning.


        3. Talk- Talk about it to a friend, talk to an adult, or talk to a teacher.


        4. Snuggle- Grab a big cozy blanket and pile pillows around you to build a fort of comfort!  The pressure from the blanket and pillows provides proprioceptive input.


        5. Take a bath or hot shower.


        6. Blow bubbles.  The oral sensory input is organizing.


        7. Sensory water play.


        8. Scream into a pillow.


        9. Pound play dough.  Try a heavy work dough like this DIY marshmallow proprioception dough.

        10. Use a keychain fidget tool. This is a DIY fidget tool that kids can make while building fine motor skills. Attach it to a belt loop, backpack, or even shoe laces for circle time attention.

        11. Exercise. This alphabet exercise activities can be helpful in coming up with exercises for kids. Use the printable sheet to spell words, the child’s name, etc. This alphabet slide deck for teletherapy uses the same letter exercises and offers exercises for each letter of the alphabet. Use it in teletherapy or face-to-face sessions or learning.


        12. Look at the clouds and find shapes.


        13. Deep breathing. Deep breathing exercise are a mindfulness activity for kids with benefits… Try these themed deep breathing printable sheets: pumpkin deep breathing, clover deep breathing, Thanksgiving deep breathing, and Christmas mindfulness activity.


        14. Take a walk in nature.

        15. Play a game.


        16.  Build with LEGOS.


        17. Listen to the sounds of the ocean on a soothing sounds app or sound machine.


        18. Count backwards.  Try walking in a circle while counting or other movements such as jumping, skipping, or hopping.


        19. Drink a cold drink.


        20. Drink a smoothie. There are proprioceptive and oral motor benefits to drinking a smoothie through a straw. Here are rainbow smoothie recipes for each color of the rainbow.

        21. Squeeze a stuffed animal.

        22. Listen to music.

        23. Hum a favorite song.

        24. Blow bubbles.

        25. Chew gum.

        27. Tear paper for fine motor benefits and heavy work for the fingers and hands.

        28. Smash and jump on ice cubes outdoors.  Jumping on ice is a great activity for incorporating prioprioceptive sensory input.


        29. Journal.  The Impulse Control Journal is an excellent tool for self-awareness and coming up with a game plan that works…and then keeping track of how it all works together in daily tasks.

        30. Guided imagery.

        31. Think of consequences.

        32. Stretch.

        33.  Go for a walk.

        34.  Write a story or draw a picture. Sometimes it helps to crumble it up and throw it away!


        35.  Blow up balloons and then pop them.

        36. Take a time out.

        37. Animal walks.

        38. Imagine the best day ever.

        39.  Swing on swings.

        40.  Name 5 positive things about yourself.

        41. Draw with sidewalk chalk. Drawing can relieve stress.

        42. Try a pencil topper fidget tool for focus during written work.

        43. Add movement- This monster movements slide deck uses a monster theme for core strength, mobility and movement breaks. It’s perfect for teletherapy and using as a coping strategy.

        44. Try this easy coping strategy that only uses your hands.

        45. Take a nap.

        46. Sensory-based tricks and tips that help with meltdowns.

        47. Use calm down toys.

        HEAVY WORK coping skills

        Brain breaks are a powerful and effective way to address regulation needs, help with attention, and impact learning into the classroom or at home as part of distance learning.

        The impact of emotions and changes to routines can be big stressors in kids. They are struggling through the day’s activities while sometimes striving to pay attention through sensory processing issues or executive functioning needs. Brain breaks, or movement breaks can be used as part of a sensory diet or in a whole-classroom activity between classroom tasks. 

        This collection of 11 pages of heavy work activity cards are combined into themed cards so you can add heavy work to everyday play.

        heavy work cards for regulation, attention, and themed brain breaks

        Coping strategies for kids printable

        Want a printable list of coping tools for kids? This list of coping skills can be printed off and used as a checklist for building a toolbox of strategies.

        Get the printable version of this list.  It’s free!

        Try these sensory coping strategies to help kids with anxiety, stress, worries, or other issues.
        Printable list of sensory coping strategies for helping kids cope.

        Coping strategies can come in handy in many situations:

        When saying “calm down” just isn’t enough…

        When a child is easily “triggered” and seems to melt down at any sign of loud noises or excitement…

        When you need help or a starting point to teach kids self-regulation strategies…

        When you are struggling to motivate or redirect a child without causing a meltdown…

        When you’re struggling to help kids explore their emotions, develop self-regulation and coping skills, manage and reflect on their emotions, identify their emotions, and more as they grow…

        Free Classroom Sensory Strategies Toolkit

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          Gage, M. (1992). The Appraisal Model of Coping: An Assessment and Intervention Model for Occupational Therapy, American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 46, 353-362. Retrieved from : oi:10.5014/ajot.46.4.353 on 5-24-27.

          Colleen Beck, OTR/L has been an occupational therapist since 2000, working in school-based, hand therapy, outpatient peds, EI, and SNF. Colleen created The OT Toolbox to inspire therapists, teachers, and parents with easy and fun tools to help children thrive. Read her story about going from an OT making $3/hour (after paying for kids’ childcare) to a full-time OT resource creator for millions of readers. Want to collaborate? Send an email to contact@theottoolbox.com.

          Self-Reflection Activities

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          self reflection activities

          In this blog post, we are addressing self-reflection activities as a tool to support self-understanding, self-awareness, and personal insight. In young children, this is a challenge that progresses as development occurs. But for some, the personal perspective becomes an area of frustration when empathy, executive functioning, and the ability to self-evaluate is a challenge. Challenges in the ability to self-reflect impact functional performance, social emotional skills, and learning. Let’s cover self-reflection activities and specific self-awareness exercises as a tool for development and personal growth.

          self reflection activities

          Self-Reflection Activities

          Self reflection leads to growth.  Without looking back at failures and successes, growth is inhibited. If you are one of the few who are actually perfect in every way, you can stop reading.  For the rest of the world, read on.  The start of a new year often brings bouts of goal setting and self reflection.  

          WHAT IS SELF AWARENESS?

          Self-reflection is a tool that kids and adults can benefit from. Reflecting on one’s actions and behaviors is a great way to grow as an individual and to meet personal goals. Think about a time you’ve set a personal goal. Maybe you wanted to start exercising and lose a few pounds.

          By self-reflecting on a day’s events, you can determine what worked in meeting your goal and what didn’t work. You can intentionally put a finger on the parts of your day that helped you meet your goal of going to the gym and what stood in the way of eating healthy meals.

          Self-reflection is essential for goal-setting! Most of these occupational therapy activities are free or inexpensive ways to address self-reflection in kids.

          Whether this is the start of a school year, or the turning of the calendar to a new year, self reflection activities and resolutions begin to surface.  For some, self reflection comes naturally, searching for meaning, purpose, and ways to become a better person.  Others find reflection difficult.  

          This post is full of self reflection activities to spark conversation, goal setting, and prompt growth.

          It has been said that the first stage of recovery or change, is to recognize there is a problem.  

          Many people are unable or unwilling to change because they do not believe there is a problem.  Becoming aware takes a lot of self reflection.  

          People need to recognize the skills they have, and those they are lacking.  They need to keep an open mind about who they are and where they are going. 

          These self-reflection activities can be a vehicle for helping kids to address areas of functioning in several areas. Improving self-reflection can help kids with self-regulation, knowing what coping strategies to pull out of their toolbox, how to act with impulse control, how to better pay attention, how to improve executive functioning skills, and how to function more easily. It’s the ability to stop and think before acting or responding, based on internal knowledge and experiences.

          Additionally, self-reflection pays a part in mindfulness. If we are practicing attentiveness in the moment and attending to internal and external experiences, we can self-reflect on what worked, what didn’t work, and how to make things work better next time.

          Self-reflection can be so helpful in social-emotional skills, academic learning, functional task completion, organization, and well-being! An awareness of self and the impact one’s own actions has on others is part of the stages of empathy development, too.

          According to Dean Graziosi, New York Times best selling author, “Self-awareness is the ability to understand your thoughts, emotions and core values, as well as realize how these elements impact your behavior. It requires emotional intelligence, and it’s about objectively evaluating yourself and aligning your actions with your internal standards.  To be self-aware is to be able to realistically assess your strengths and weaknesses while maintaining a positive mindset. It’s the ability to judge where you are in life, determine where you would like to be and set goals to achieve your vision.”

          To become self-aware, you must be able to:

          • See yourself honestly, flaws and all
          • Identify and control your emotions
          • Realize your strengths and weaknesses
          • Take strides toward growth – having a growth mindset helps

          One tool for supporting awareness of emotions in general is by doing an emotions check in where the student (or any one, this can be done at any age), identifies how they feel and what their emotions are based on the situation, setting, and triggers. Another tool which is similar but different, is the feelings check in.

          Self-Reflection Activities for Kids

          One of the first steps in raising self-reflection to to help kids be more self-aware. They can use tools to improve mindfulness to notice how they feel, how the react, or how they behave. Most kids will struggle with this ability in the moment (It’s tough for adults, too!) but they can identify what worked and what didn’t work in a particular situation through conversation.

          Using self-control strategies like the Zones of Regulation can be helpful in talking about feelings and self-awareness.

          Explore along with the child. When a child is playing or exploring their environment, it can be helpful to play right along with them. Use play experiences to communicate through play.

          Use play experiences to mirror actions. When a child is playing, play right along with them! Mimic their actions and words to be more aware as a caregiver of the details of a child’s interactions and to bring awareness for the child. Use this tactic only when the child is in a positive mood. Mirrored actions should not be completed when a child is behaving poorly or to bring attention to behaviors.

          Reflect on the day as a family. Plan a family meeting and talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of the day. It’s a good way to talk about ways to work on areas of need.

          Create a Choice Collection. Come up with options that include coping strategies or tools to use in different environments. These could be part of a sensory diet or self-regulation strategies.

          Work on impulse control. The impulse control journal can help.

          Use a journal to self-reflect through words or drawings.

          Act out situations and how the situation played out. Consider adding dolls or toys for characters in the situations.

          Model appropriate behaviors and self-reflection through conversation.

          The sensory-based strategies outlined in The Sensory Lifestyle Handbook can be a beneficial tool for addressing self-reflection in kids.

          Executive Functioning Skills

          Positive Self-Talk for Kids

          Impulse Control Strategies

          Finally, try some of these self awareness games to build skills through game-playing.

          reflection about personal development

          Children, teens, and adults of all ages develop in different ways. It’s said that we never stop learning, and this is true at every age and stage. Through learning experiences, there is either success or failure, with some level in the middle. This development occurs whether learning a new skill, trying something new, or trying a new way of doing something. 

          When there is learning, there is personal development. 

          As participants in an activity, we can utilize self-awareness skills to monitor successes or challenges that lead to goal achievement. 

          We can use that information to identify areas of need, or specific areas that we need to try again in a different way. 

          This allows us to create a feedback analysis of sorts that supports further growth in an area. 

          Some ways to reflect on personal development include tactics that are used for self-awareness and goal achievement. These strategies are types of reflection exercises and include:

          • Self-talk
          • Monitoring progress
          • Goal mind maps
          • Goal ladders
          • Identifying next steps
          • Talking with others for constructive feedback
          • Addressing negative feedback

          POSITIVE SELF REFLECTION ACTIVITIES

          Self-reflection activities are not just focused on the negative perspective.

          There is a certain stigma to self reflection activities that they are just focusing on the negative things that need to change.  There is positive self reflection also.  What did you do well that you need to encourage yourself to keep doing?  What did you learn that will be a great asset to your skillset?

          Positive self reflection takes as much practice as reflection for growth.

          Theoretically is your glass half full or empty?  Do your learners search for problems, look for drama, or doubt themselves?  By answering these questions we can come up with tools to support habits that our learners might be challenged with. Self-awareness activities are strategies to support self-reflection.

          Encourage positive self reflection by trying some of the following activities: 

          • Write three positive things about yourself each day
          • Journal about positive experiences
          • Practice acts of kindness
          • Don’t compare yourself to others, solely reflect on your own abilities
          • Start a gratitude journal along with various gratitude activities
          • Ask yourself self reflection questions
          • Positive self talk activities for kids
          • I am….- learners write positive statements starting with “I am”
          • Post positive affirmations around the room, class, social media, or wherever it helps to self reflect on positive thoughts and actions
          • Teach learners to flip a negative into a positive – I am bad at math, could be turned into I am a great reader, or I can count to 1000
          • Use a mirror for positive self talk – practice affirming while looking at yourself
          • Create a positive self talk morning ritual – The Miracle Morning is a powerful resource

          SELF REFLECTION ACTIVITIES FOR GROWTH

          Everyone has room for growth. Some have the personality type that limits self-reflection and personal awareness, while others have a stream of consciousness that easily enables self-reflection. We are all unique individuals, and these different types of traits are totally ok!

          I bet the number one athletes in the Olympics believe there is room for growth.  Practice does not make perfect, it makes it better.  When I am evaluating students, I often start by asking them why they think I am seeing them.  Most of them have some idea, even if they have no idea what Occupational Therapy is.  That is my jumping off point.  I find out what they believe to be their weaknesses and strengths, and go from there.  They may not be accurate, but it is their belief, so it can be shaped.  

          • The key to shaping beliefs and setting goals is to set measurable ones.  The acronym SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timebound.  
          • Use metrics and data to gather correct information about skills and deficits
          • Learners who have an unrealistic view of themselves, may need counseling to work through this.  Body dysmorphia is one such example.  People suffering from BD see flaws that no one else sees.  They set unrealistic expectations and goals for themselves trying to reach an imaginary goal
          • Teach The Power of Yet – I may not be the best chess player YET.  I could be with more practice and instruction
          • Ask useful questions – create writing prompts starting with key questions:
            • What am I afraid of?
            • I struggle when . . .
            • One of the most important things I learned was . . .
            • Being myself is hard because . . .
            • I wish I were more . . .
          • Letter to future self – what would your learners tell their future self?
          • Create a realistic self view – while some learners feel they are all bad, others feel they are amazing.  It seems counterintuitive, but the second group will need some help to realize everyone has growth potential.  Gently shape these learners to also see their weaknesses as well as their strengths without squelching their self confidence
          • Take a step back – electronics spoon feed information, making it readily available.   The answers are just a click away.  While this is great in some ways, it is not teaching self control, reflection, and the power of doing nothing
          • Utilize the individual’s passions as a vehicle for addressing self-awareness. If they have a hobby or skill where they are successful, how did they learn the ability to complete aspects of that skill? How did they accomplish goals? How would they support another learner who is at the beginning of this skill learning? Sometimes when shifting the perspective to a teaching role, we can all use creativity in supporting self-reflection skills. 
          • Focus on emotional vocabulary as a tool to support students’ reflections of themselves, whether they are looking at personal achievements in a positive light or a negative light. This is an important skill to encourage, as we all have moments of doubt and moments of high confidence and assurance. Emotional learning is one tool in the toolbelt for supporting self-reflection in daily functional tasks.

          A FINAL THOUGHT on self-reflection activities

          Mindfulness is not new, but it has resurfaced as people have forgotten how to slow down.  Monks have been using this technique for centuries.  They can sit for an entire day doing and thinking nothing.  They are able to clear their mind for hours.  I have tried this and can make it about 30 seconds before my mind is racing.  It even races while I sleep.  Self reflection takes the same discipline and focus to make it meaningful.  

          As with anything new and different, change takes time and practice.  The act of self reflection itself, can be your first goal!

          Use these self-reflection activities for kids to help kids reflect on behaviors and identify coping skills or self-regulation strategies that work in the home or classroom.
           

           
          Impulse Control Journal the OT Toolbox

          The Impulse Control Journal…a printable resource for helping kids strategize executive functioning skill development. When saying “calm down” just isn’t enough…

          When a child is easily “triggered” and seems to melt down at any sign of loud noises or excitement…

          When you need help or a starting point to teach kids self-regulation strategies…

          When you are struggling to motivate or redirect a child without causing a meltdown…

          When you’re struggling to help kids explore their emotions, develop self-regulation and coping skills, manage and reflect on their emotions, identify their emotions, and more as they grow…

          Grab the Impulse Control Journal to build organizational strategies, planning, prioritization, habits, and mindset in kids.

          How to Encourage Growth Mindset Mistakes

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          growth mindset mistakes

          When using a growth mindset mistakes can help you grow! Rather than thinking our intelligence is fixed and unchanging, the growth mindset encourages people to see their abilities as things that can improve. Here, we’re covering why it is important to teach students the growth mindset. You’ll also find strategies to move from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset when mistakes happen.

          Growth mindset mistakes

          Growth Mindset Mistakes

          In life we strive to be perfect. Some of the best inventions have come from mistakes.  For children (and adults), it can be a real challenge when simple mistakes happen. Errors happen all day long: in math problems, in conversation, in the classroom, or in a myriad ways!

          The problem is when these mistakes become a setback in emotional or behavioral self-regulation. 

          Mistakes are part of the learning process!

          Developing a growth mindset is about what you are going to do, not what you can’t do. Try again, or make the most of what you have already.  

          Learning from mistakes examples:

          Some inventors decided to make the most of what they had created by accident.  They learned something valuable from their mistakes. Check it out!

          • Penicillin – Alexander Fleming was a medic through WWII.  He was used to using antiseptics to treat infections, but was trying to find a safer alternative. He was studying staphylococci in several petri dishes. He stacked them on top of each other and went on vacation. When he returned, he discovered there was a fungus growing on several of the dishes that had destroyed the staphylococci infection. His poor housekeeping skills and growth mindset mistakes lead to the discovery of penicillin!
          • Microwave – Percy Spencer was working on magnetron technology. When he stood too close to the magnetron he noticed his candy bar had melted in his pocket. He tried popcorn, eggs, and other foods next to the magnet and voila! The microwave was invented.
          • Potato Chips – This was the result of trying to please a picky customer.  Cornelius Vanderbilt repeatedly sent back his potatoes to the chef because they were too soggy. After several returned attempts, the chef decided to slice the potatoes really thin and fry them as a joke. The customer loved these fried potatoes, and the potato chip was born.
          • Velcro – George de Mistral was walking his dogs and noticed several burrs sticking to their fur. He marveled at the way these burrs clung to the dogs. After a few trials and mistakes (including chopping bits and pieces off of the material), he created what is now known as velcro.
          • Post it Notes – Dr. Spencer Silver was trying to invent an extremely strong adhesive. What he ended up with was an adhesive that stuck but could easily be unstuck and repositioned. He deemed this mistake a failure, until someone suggested reusable book marks and notepads.  The classic yellow color was born from the only available colored paper at the time!
          • Coca Cola – This popular drink was born from nerve tonic. This was supposed to cure all ailments. Unfortunately it had alcohol in it, and in the age of prohibition it had to be removed. A little sugar was added and the carbonated beverage was advertised as making people healthier. We now know that this beverage definitely does not make one healthier, it does the opposite. However, in moderation, it is a sweet treat with a boost of caffeine.
          • Slinky – Richard James was attempting to invent a spring that would stabilize equipment on Navy ships. He accidentally knocked it off his table and was delighted to see how it slinked down to the floor.  While the Navy rejected his invention, millions of children throughout the world have owned at least one Slinky.
          • Silly Putty – During WWII James Wright was trying to invent a cheap alternative to synthetic rubber.  He accidentally spilled boric acid into silicone oil and created a stretchy bouncy product.  This toy has morphed into Theraputty, a helpful tool for strengthening and stretching muscles. Check out these theraputty exercises for ideas to use this tool!)
          • Playdough – This craft staple and children’s favorite building material was designed as a wallpaper cleaner. With the decline in popularity of wallpaper in recent years, the company is thankful they rebranded this as the playdough we know today! And, we all know the benefits of play dough, so this is a wonderful mistake that was made!

          These are just a few of the inventions made while trying to invent something else.  The products were born from people learning from mistakes. There are dozens more including; Crazy glue, popsicles, artificial sweetener, Viagra, Smart Dust, ice cream cones, the pacemaker, and more.  

          Why are these mistakes important? We can help kids see that there is importance of mistakes happening. Otherwise these products would never have been invented!

          What else did these inventors learn from their growth mindset mistakes?

          A growth mindset is “the understanding that abilities and understanding can be developed” (Mindset Works, n.d.). Those with a growth mindset believe that they can get smarter, stronger, and more talented through putting in time and effort.

          This way of thinking became popular through the work of Carol Dweck in her book (Amazon affiliate link) Mindset.  She teaches about the “power of yet.” This mindset shifts the focus away from all the things one can not do, to what one can not do YET.

          The power of yet teaches people:

          • they can learn
          • learning takes time and effort
          • results come from hard work
          • giving up isn’t an option 

           This is huge when we think about the kids we serve and the ability to develop and strengthen self-esteem.

          These inventors believed they could learn new skills with enough effort and practice. Giving up was not an option for them. If they had given up on their “mistakes”, and not persevered with their ideas, they would not have invented some amazing products!   

          I don’t believe these inventors “got lucky” or “were in the right place at the right time”. Perhaps they did have a little fortune on their side in their innovation, but most of them had the growth mindset, and will to succeed.  

          If they had not invented what they did, they probably would have gone on to create something else, or reach other an achievement. 

          Mindset is the difference between those who excel and those who give up. The issue is that there can be discomfort in making errors…and then persevering.

          Learning from mistakes and moving forward drives people to succeed. It offers a chance to reframe mistakes into another chance, a new opportunity, or another try. Some people innately have this drive, while others need to develop it. 

          Mindset Tools for Mistakes

          Below are some mindset tools to help us make mistakes with a growth mindset. These are new strategies, but also tools to support mindset.

          As therapy professionals, educators, or parents, we can drive the enthusiasm in persevering or trying again. The obstacles kids struggle with are part of the course, and we can support that development with words of encouragement. The OT Toolbox is featuring several posts involving mindset to help create a treatment plan for yourself, or the learners you work with.

          Use these tools in a growth mindset lesson to support self-awareness skills.

          Develop Brain Skills- Brain activity happens with learning, and making mistakes is part of that learning process. Using persistence to complete a task is not only an executive functioning skill, it’s also an opportunity to develop grit, or resilience. This is an important life skill!

          • Amazon (affiliate link) has a great Growth Workbook for Kids. It is a fun and engaging activity book, for ages 8 to 12, that can help you train your brain and develop creative problem-solving skills through practice and perseverance. You’ll learn how to foster a “can-do” attitude and celebrate your mistakes as a path to ultimate success.
          • Mindsetkit has a great presentation on the critical role of mistakes.  

          Give yourself permission to make mistakes- Switch thinking from an error that means starting over is a bad thing. Mistakes can be permission to achieve a new skill. 

          Sometimes, as humans, we view mistakes as something bad. But when we stretch mistakes into something good, it’s switching the perspective in our brains. We can try a different strategy. We can use new skills that we learned as a result of that mistake. 

          Working with kids is a great opportunity to try again, but an important one that can have a huge impact!

          Learn from mistakes- There is always an AHA-moment mistakes allow. At some point, maybe long after the mistake has happened, that we have a moment of “Aha!” where we learn something about ourselves. We can ask ourselves a few questions as part of this mistake learning:

          • What have you learned from making mistakes?  
          • What did the mistake teach me?
          • What did I do that contributed to this mistake?
          • What can I do differently next time?
          • What tools can I use next time?
          • Was this a “big mistake” or a “small mistake”?
          • What did I learn from this mistake?

          Talk about different kinds of mistakes- Not all mistakes are life threatening, or high-stakes mistakes! We can work with kids to identify different types of mistakes. Ask kids to identify different scenarios on a scale of intensity.

          • small mistakes
          • big mistakes
          • life-threatening situations 
          • learning curve errors
          • sloppy mistakes

          Find courage to try again- I have learned that there is not much that can not be undone or fixed. This gives me the courage to try. Talking about this concept of trying again can be helpful for kids. We can even bring up times in our life that we as therapists have had to try again.

          • Don’t like that paint color in your bedroom you just painted?  Paint over it.
          • Not sure about the tattoo you just had done? Get it removed or “painted over”
          • Not thrilled with the way your hair color/cut came out? It will grow back, or try again with another color.
          • Cookies came out overdone? Chop them up and sprinkle over ice cream, or feed them to the goats.

          Mistakes can be spun as a trial run. Every mistake is good practice for the next time!

          Use self-talk- Kids can use self-talk as a strategy to hush that inner critic that tends to “beat up” our emotional state. Instead of repeatedly thinking “I’m so dumb”, “How could I make this mistake”, or “I’ll never be good enough”, we can teach kids the emotional regulation strategy of self-talk to support their mindset. 

          Positive self-talk is a huge asset to teach to switch the perspective of mistakes as a bad thing to just part of the learning and living process. There is power of the word that  we speak to ourselves!

          A final note on growth mindset mistakes 

          I once took a pottery sculpting class years ago on a whim (actually after a bad breakup).  My coil pot was crooked, bumpy, and leaning to the side.  Instead of becoming discouraged, I took a step back.  It kind of looked like the sorting hat from Harry Potter.  I painted it and proudly display it as a sorting hat replica!  What could have been a mistake and failure, turned into a one of a kind art piece.

          Victoria Wood, OTR/L is a contributor to The OT Toolbox and has been providing Occupational Therapy treatment in pediatrics for more than 25 years. She has practiced in hospital settings (inpatient, outpatient, NICU, PICU), school systems, and outpatient clinics in several states. She has treated hundreds of children with various sensory processing dysfunction in the areas of behavior, gross/fine motor skills, social skills and self-care. Ms. Wood has also been a featured speaker at seminars, webinars, and school staff development training. She is the author of Seeing your Home and Community with Sensory Eyes.

          Breathing Star

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          mindfulness-for-kids-christmas-coloring-page

          This breathing star coloring page is perfect for Christmas Mindfulness and winter mindfulness activities…but today, we’ve got star breathing tool for you.

          Discussing mindfulness for kids is a powerful strategy in addressing so many needs. Kids with sensory processing needs or self-regulation needs, or even emotional regulation needs may benefit from this holiday awareness activity.

          Breathing Star

          First, let’s talk about what a breathing star is.

          A breathing star is a visual prompt that allows kids to follow a star design with their eyes or fingers to guide mindful and deep breathing. The breathing star can be a variety of shapes or forms, but the benefits are the same.

          A breathing star might include:

          • A breathing star drawn on paper while doodling
          • A printable star coloring page like the one below
          • A star with arrows that a user can follow with deep breaths
          • This Star of David deep breathing tool

          It’s a free printable Christmas coloring page with benefits! Scroll below to grab your printable page.

          mindfulness-for-kids-christmas-coloring-page

          This mindfulness tool goes along well with our wreath breathing exercise,  Pumpkin deep breathing exercise, and Thanksgiving mindfulness activity.

          what does mindfulness for kids mean?

          Why Use a Breathing Star?

          First, let’s talk about what mindfulness means. Mindfulness in children is the ability to be aware of one’s actions and self in the moment. 

          Mindfulness for kids is an important part of self regulation and the ability to regulate our senses, feelings, and body.

          Consideration of well-being is important in addressing occupations across environments. OT practitioners can address mindfulness as a means for improving regulation, self-efficiency, stress, anxiety, trauma exposure, or other issues the child may face. Some mindfulness strategies for kids include breath awareness, body sweep, and labeling of feelings.

          One such mindfulness tool for children includes deep breathing. Combining this with stress-reducing coloring or focused activity can be a means for helping kids to become aware of how their body is responding to outside input or stressors.

          You’ve probably seen the variety of coloring books out there designed as coping tools for stress or anxiety. These can be a way to teach kids about focused awareness and mindfulness in the moment.

          It allows us to focus on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting what’s happening on the inside: in our feelings, thoughts, or sensations. This can be a tough skill for kids to master and why a breathing star can support that need.

          For kids, mindfulness is a skill that allows them to be aware of their body and how it’s responding in the moment. Mindfulness for kids is important for them to have the ability to pay attention and responding to input from the world around us.

          Mindfulness in kids means noticing their body and the things happening around them. It has a lot to do with impulse control. Just like any other skill, mindfulness is an ability that develops over time.

          It’s easy to see how this skill relates to so many other areas that occupational therapists address: self-regulation, self-confidence, attention, social-emotional skills, coping skills, sensory processing, impulsivity and inhibition, and overall well being.

          Also be sure to check out these Mindfulness for Kids YouTube Videos.

          How to Use a Breathing Star Visual Support

          A tool like this self regulation star is easy to use:

          1. Start with a pointer finger pointing at any of the points on the star.
          2. Take a deep breath in as the finger traces along the arrow.
          3. When you reach one of the points of the star, pause and hold your breath.
          4. Then, trace along the arrow to the next point as you breathe out.
          5. When you reach the next point of the star, your lungs will be empty. Pause and hold your breath with empty lungs.
          6. Continue as you trace along the outer edge of the star, pausing to hold your breath at each point.

          How Does a Breathing Star Work?

          The best thing about the printable breathing star is that it is a visual cue that can be used in any situation or no matter the environment.

          We cover how a printable tool like this sensory breath star can support a variety of needs in our resource on breathing exercises.

          The benefit of the breathing star is the pause points at the end of each star’s point. This pause point allows for breath control. As the breath is held after filling the lungs or emptying the lungs, the lungs continue to expand as does the rib cage. This offers interoceptive awareness as heavy work fills the chest area.

          We cover this sensory strategy in our resource on relaxation breathing.

          Occupational therapy practitioners working with children are interested in the well-being and the whole child. Functioning and independence in daily occupations are impacted by the “whole child”. The breathing sensory star offers the tool to support these needs.

          Christmas star mindfulness for kids activity and coping strategy for deep breathing and awareness.

          Below is a free printable coloring page for holiday mindfulness. Pair this with our Christmas Mindfulness coloring page for a mindfulness exercise for kids.

          Get a Christmas Star Mindfulness Coloring Page

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