A 2-in-1 emotional regulation toolkit for kids ages 6–11 and the grown-ups who support them. Covers anxious brain, rebel brain, big feelings, calm-down skills, STOP Name Breathe, task plans, caregiver coaching, and practical tools for reducing overwhelm.
Big Feelings, Big Skills is a two-part toolkit. The grown-up section helps parents, caregivers, teachers, and clinicians understand why kids push back, shut down, avoid, or melt down when their alarm system is activated. The kid section gives children simple language and tools for naming what is happening in their brain and practicing coping skills before feelings explode.
Want a smaller entry point? Pair this with the free STOP · NAME · BREATHE worksheet or the Stop · Name · Breathe Mini Packet for extra practice.
EMOTIONAL REGULATION TOOLKIT
This toolkit helps kids and grown-ups understand anxious brain, rebel brain, emotional overwhelm, task refusal, and the skills that help the thinking brain come back online.
Big feelings do not make kids bad or broken
Big Feelings, Big Tricks: Grown-Up Guide
Explains how anxious brain and rebel brain show up, why kids push back, and how adults can respond without escalating the power struggle.
Understanding the Alarm System
Uses brain science to explain why the emotional brain reacts before the thinking brain can catch up.
Caregiver Coaching Tools
Includes practical guidance for giving short instructions, prompting skills early, praising effort, using choices, and supporting regulation.
My Brain & Coping Toolbox
A kid-facing section that helps children understand anxious brain, rebel brain, and how big feelings affect their body and choices.
STOP, Name, Breathe
A simple regulation strategy for pausing, naming the feeling, breathing, and then asking for support.
Rebel Brain and Task Plans
Tools like the 5-minute try, making it a challenge, sneaky starts, and step-by-step task plans for homework, showering, and routines.
This toolkit is a psychoeducational resource and is not a substitute for mental health treatment, ADHD evaluation, autism evaluation, occupational therapy, school evaluation, crisis care, or individualized clinical support. If a child’s emotional or behavioral challenges are significantly impairing daily functioning or safety, consult a licensed mental health professional.