When a child or adolescent is overwhelmed by strong emotions, it can be difficult for them to remember and use coping skills. I created this visual coping toolbox for school age youth who have limited literacy, but any child who prefers images/icons may benefit from this visual coping menu. By using images to represent different strategies, it makes emotional regulation skills more accessible and easier to remember.
For Clinicians and Caregivers: What’s Inside the Toolbox?
This handout provides a variety of coping skills represented by inclusive images, making it a great resource for a diverse range of clients and children. The images are designed to be self-explanatory, but here’s a brief guide to the skills included:
- Movement-Based Skills: Images of stretching, jumping rope, and playing sports illustrate that physical activity can be a powerful way to release pent-up energy and regulate the nervous system.
- Grounding Techniques: Visuals of holding ice, drawing, or hugging a loved one help clients engage their senses to ground themselves in the present moment.
- Distraction: The handout includes images that promote mindfulness, such as being outside or listening to music. These are simple actions that can help a person shift their focus away from difficult emotions. A pet or stuffed animal may provide comfort or distraction.
- Breathing Exercises: The inclusion of a visual guide for triangle breathing provides a simple, repeatable action that can be used anywhere to calm the body and mind. The image of a stuffed animal can also be used to prompt belly breathing (i.e., place the stuffed animal on the stomach and watch it rise and fall with the breath).
How to Use This Handout
This visual toolbox is designed to be interactive and personal. Encourage the child to look at the images and talk about what each one means to them. You can work together to figure out which skills they already know and which ones they want to try. Suggest that they hang the handout in a place where they might need a reminder to use a skill, such as on their bedroom door, inside a locker, or in a “calm down” corner. By using this visual guide, you empower them to build self-efficacy and gain confidence in their ability to manage their feelings.