❄️ 12 Days of Regulation: Day 3 ❄️
Welcome to Day 3 of our 12 Days of Regulation series! Today’s strategy is one of the most empowering tools we teach at Connected Pathways Coaching — the Circle of Control.
When kids, teens, (and honestly, adults too!) understand what they can control vs. what’s outside of their control, emotional regulation becomes easier, reactions soften, and stress decreases.
🎯 Why the Circle of Control Helps With Regulation
A big part of emotional dysregulation comes from trying to control things we can’t. Examples:
Other people’s actions
What someone said about us
The weather
A classmate’s mood
A team placement
A teacher’s grading style
The past
When kids feel powerless, the “emotional soda can shakes” build (hello, Day 2 😄). But when they learn to shift focus to what’s inside their circle, they regain a sense of stability, safety, and control — all of which support calm behavior and grounded choices.
🧠 Executive Function Connection
The Circle of Control strengthens core EF skills:
✔️ Cognitive Flexibility
Shifting from “This isn’t fair” → “What can I do right now?”
✔️ Impulse Control
Less reacting to uncontrollable things = fewer explosions.
✔️ Self-Monitoring
Checking in before responding: “Is this in my circle or not?”
✔️ Planning & Problem-Solving
Once we identify what is controllable, we can create a plan.
This is why this tool is powerful for anxious students, overwhelmed learners, and kids struggling with peer conflicts or transitions.
🎁 Today’s Free Tool: Circle of Control Printable Pages
Use this activity to help your child understand:
What drains their energy
What they can take action on
What they need to let go of
How to shift from reactive → proactive
👉 Download Your Activity Here
🌟 Want Support Practicing This in Real Life?
Our 6-Week 1:1 Emotional Regulation Coaching Program helps students apply tools like:
Soda Can Coping
Circle of Control
Thought reframing
Flexible thinking
Impulse control strategies
Body-based calming tools
💡 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 4 of Regulation!
With warmth, Giovanna & the Connected Pathways Coaching Team 🧠💛
