$32.99
Dealing with stress, anxiety and anger are important skills to learn, but not all kids learn those strategies naturally.
The Coping Skills for Kids Workbook can help teach children to calm down, balance their energy and emotions, and process challenging feelings.
This book provides over 75 innovative, fun and engaging activities developed from the author’s experience in schools, outpatient mental health clinics and as a mother.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Note to Professionals Working with Kids v
A Note to Parents/Guardians ix
A Note to Kids xi
Section 1
Introduction 1
Section 2
Calming Coping Skills 9
Deep Breathing Techniques 11
Deep Breathing with a Pinwheel 11
Deep Breathing with Bubbles 13
Deep Breathing with Prompts 13
Deep Breathing with Shapes 13
Deep Breathing with a Stuffed Animal 18
Deep Breathing with a Feather 18
Deep Breathing Using your Hand 18
Explosion Breaths 18
Hands to Shoulders 19
Hoberman Sphere 19
Volcano Breaths 19
Mindfulness Meditation and Yoga 21
Focus on Sounds 21
Take a Mindful Walk 22
Yoga 23
Imagine your Favorite Place 24
Have a Mindful Snack 25
Grounding Techniques 27
5 4 3 2 1 Grounding Technique 27
Grounding Techniques – Self-Talk about the Present 29
Quick Mental Grounding Techniques 29
Quick Physical Grounding Techniques 29
ii Coping Skills for Kids Workbook
Other Calming Techniques 31
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) 31
Positive Self-Talk 33
Take a Shower or Bath 34
Take a Drink of Water 34
Counting 34
Block Out Sounds with Noise-Cancelling Headphones 34
Take a Break 35
Homemade Lava Lamp 35
Zen Garden 36
Calming Jar 37
Use your Senses 38
Trace a Pattern 38
Tea Time or Hot Cocoa Time 40
SECTION 3
Distraction Coping Skills 41
Write a Story 41
Crossword/Sudoku/Word Find Puzzles 41
Bake or Cook 42
Volunteer or do Community Service 42
Do a Random Act of Kindness 42
Read a Good Book 45
Clean 45
Play with a Pet 45
Play a Board Game 46
Play Video Games 46
Distraction by a Screen 47
Play with a Friend 47
Start a Garden 48
Creative Thinking 48
Make up your Own Game 48
Plan a Fun Event for the Future 50
Start a New Hobby or Learn Something New 50
Laughter is the Best Medicine 51
Your Favorite Things 51
Sort or Organize Something 53
Spend Time in Nature 53
Go to a Museum 53
Table of Contents iii
SECTION 4
Physical Coping Skills 55
Small Physical Movements 57
Squeeze Something 57
Homemade Stress Balls 58
Shred Paper 60
Bubble Wrap 60
Keep your Hands Busy 60
Move Different Parts of your Body 61
Big Physical Movements 63
Go for a Walk 63
Exercise 63
Dance 65
Punch a Safe Surface 65
Play at the Park 65
Balance on BOSU® 65
Obstacle Course 66
Swing 66
Rhythm & Music 67
Take a Class/Join a Team 67
Other Physical Ways to Move & Get Energy Out 67
SECTION 5
Processing Coping Skills 69
Identifying Thoughts and Feelings 71
Make a Feelings Book 71
Intensity of Feelings 74
Feelings Thermometer 76
Feelings as Colors 79
Where do I Feel Things in my Body 79
Understanding my Triggers 81
5 Levels of Stress 81
Stress Map 83
Track my Stress 84
Create Happiness Keepers 86
iv Coping Skills for Kids Workbook
Expressing Thoughts and Feelings 87
Journaling 87
In a Perfect World 88
Expressing Emotions using Creative Outlets 90
Talking to Someone you Trust (Roses & Thorns) 90
Create a Playlist 90
Write What’s Bothering you, Rip it Up & Throw it Away 91
Comic Strip of What Happened/Draw a Different Solution 91
Write a Letter to Someone 94
I Wish 94
I Statements 96
What I Can Control vs. What I Can’t Control 96
Worry Box 98
Draw What you Wish Happened 100
One Good Thing 102
SECTION 6
Putting It All Together 103
My Coping Skills 104
Skills to Try 105
Coping Skills Cue Cards 106
SECTION 7
Resources 109
I. Parenting Books 109
II. Books & Resources for Families and Educators to Help Teach Emotional Regulation 111
III. Books for Kids about being Worried, Scared or Anxious 112
IV. Books for Kids about Anger & Frustration 113
V. Sensory 114
VI. The Importance of Play 115
VII. Mindfulness and Meditation Resources 116
VIII. Apps for Mindfulness 117
IX. Websites 119
Bibliography 120
