12 Days of Regulation Day 2
Welcome back to Day 2 of our 12 Days of Regulation series!
Today’s focus is one of my favorite visuals for students, teens, and even adults — the Soda Can Coping Strategy.
This analogy helps kids see and understand how emotions build up in their bodies, why they sometimes “explode,” and how regulation tools act like pressure release valves.
🥤 The Soda Can: What’s Actually Happening?
Inside every one of us is a soda can — representing our emotional state throughout the day.
Every stressor is a “shake” to the can:
A tough homework assignment
Someone cutting in line
A frustrating transition
Not knowing what will happen next
Feeling misunderstood
These “shakes” increase pressure inside our emotional can.
If we open the can suddenly, it explodes.
If we let the pressure release slowly, we can open it calmly — without the big reaction.
💥 Naming Your Explosions
In the activity, kids identify what an “explosion” looks like for them:
Yelling
Shutting down
Crying
Saying “it’s not fair!”
Slamming a door
By naming these responses, children begin building self-awareness — a core emotional regulation skill tied to executive functioning.
Awareness → Reflection → Choice.
🧠 Executive Function Connection
The Soda Can analogy supports:
✔️ Emotional Awareness
Recognizing stressors + noticing internal pressure
✔️ Impulse Control
Choosing not to “open the can too fast”
✔️ Flexible Thinking
Trying new coping tools
✔️ Self-Monitoring
Checking in on how “shaken” they feel
This analogy makes invisible emotional processes visible, giving kids a concrete way to understand their mind-body connection.
🎁 Today’s Free Tool: Soda Can Coping Printable
Pair the analogy with today’s free printable activity (included in your PDF):
“Shakes to My Can”
“What an Explosion Looks Like for Me”
“I Can…” coping options
These pages help kids map their triggers and coping strategies in a structured, visual way.
✨ Add it to your calm-down corner, use it during sessions, or practice at home!
👉 Download Your Activity Here
🌟 Want Personalized Support With This?
Our 6-Week 1:1 Emotional Regulation Coaching Program teaches students how to:
Recognize their emotional “shakes”
Prevent explosions
Build a personalized coping toolkit
Strengthen emotional awareness & flexibility
Improve their executive functioning skills
💡 Bonus: Everyone who purchases a 6-week Regulation Coaching package between Dec 3–15 will be entered to win our “Regulation Basket” — filled with our favorite sensory and calming tools straight from Amazon!
✨ Let’s make this December the month of calm, clarity, and connection.
Stay tuned tomorrow for Day 3 of Regulation!
With warmth,
Giovanna & the Connected Pathways Coaching Team
🧠💛
