A simple emotional regulation mini packet for kids ages 4–12. Teaches children to pause, name the feeling, and breathe or count before reacting. Includes a parent guide, child worksheet, practice page, and educator/clinician tip sheet.
STOP · NAME · BREATHE is a portable emotional regulation strategy for children ages 4–12. It gives kids a concrete way to pause, identify what they are feeling, and calm their nervous system before reacting. The packet includes support for parents, caregivers, educators, clinicians, and children.
Want a deeper regulation toolkit? Pair this with Big Feelings, Big Skills or Self-Soothe Skills for more practice with calming the brain and body.
EMOTIONAL REGULATION MINI PACKET · AGES 4–12
This mini packet teaches children a simple three-step regulation tool: stop, name the feeling, and breathe or count.
Help kids build a pause between the feeling and the reaction
Parent and Caregiver Guide
Explains why children react before they think, how the STOP · NAME · BREATHE strategy works, and how to practice it during calm moments.
Child Worksheet
A simple visual page that teaches kids to stop, name the feeling, and take three slow breaths or count to ten.
Practice Page
Helps children reflect on what happened, what feeling they noticed, what their body felt like, and what they could do next time.
Breathing Practice
Includes a three-breath drawing activity to help children slow down and practice the skill.
Educator and Clinician Tip Sheet
Gives adults guidance for using the strategy in classrooms, therapy sessions, home routines, transitions, and after conflict.
This mini packet is a psychoeducational emotional regulation resource and is not a substitute for mental health treatment, ADHD evaluation, autism evaluation, occupational therapy, school evaluation, crisis care, or individualized clinical support.