❄️ 12 Days of Regulation: Day 7 ❄️
Welcome to Day 7! Today’s tool is a beautiful, visual way to help children understand what happens inside their bodies when emotions feel big… and how calm comes when we give ourselves time and space.
A Settle Your Glitter Jar is a powerful regulation tool that shows kids: ✨ “When my feelings are shaken, everything inside gets cloudy… but when I pause, breathe, and wait, things settle.”
It supports mindfulness, self-regulation, and emotional awareness — and it’s fun to make!
🌪️ Why “Settle Your Glitter” Works
When kids feel overwhelmed, stressed, angry, or dysregulated, their internal “glitter” gets shaken up. The jar becomes a visual metaphor for what’s happening in the brain:
Shaken jar = shaken emotions
Swirling glitter = racing thoughts
Settling glitter = body calming + brain re-engaging
Watching the glitter slowly fall to the bottom helps the brain shift into a calmer state. It gives kids something to focus on, slows their breathing, and teaches them that emotions do settle when we give them time.
🧠 Executive Function Connection
Settle Your Glitter strengthens:
✔️ Self-Regulation
Kids visually connect “My emotions can settle.”
✔️ Impulse Control
The jar forces a pause — a built-in regulation moment.
✔️ Mindfulness & Self-Awareness
Focusing on slow glitter movement reduces overwhelm.
✔️ Cognitive Flexibility
Instead of acting on the big emotion, kids shift to observation.
It’s a simple activity with a HUGE impact.
🎁 Today’s Free Tool: How to Make a Settle Your Glitter Jar
Use these instructions to make your own glitter jar at home, in your office, or during sessions.
You Will Need:
1 small clear jar or plastic bottle
Warm water
Clear glue (or glitter glue)
Fine glitter (1–2 colors)
Optional: food coloring
Optional: beads, sequins, stars
Hot glue (to secure lid if using with younger kids)
Steps:
1. Fill Your Jar
Fill your jar about ¾ full with warm water (Warm water helps the glue mix evenly.)
2. Add Glue
Add 1–2 tablespoons of clear glue. This makes the glitter move slowly — the “calming” effect.
3. Add Glitter
Sprinkle in ½–1 teaspoon of glitter. Choose colors that feel soothing — blues, purples, silvers, pastels.
4. Add Color (Optional)
Add 1 drop of food coloring if you want a tinted jar. (Too much will make it too dark to see the glitter.)
5. Stir Slowly
Mix until everything is blended.
6. Seal the Jar
Top off with water, leaving a little space. Then secure the lid tightly or hot glue it shut for safety.
7. Test Your Jar
Shake it and watch the glitter swirl. If you want it to settle slower, add more glue. Faster? Add more water.
💬 How to Use It for Regulation:
Teach kids to:
Shake the jar
Watch the glitter float + fall
Match their breathing with the glitter settling
Name how they feel once it settles
This becomes their built-in pause and reset tool.
🌟 Want More Personalized Tools Like This?
Our 6-Week 1:1 Emotional Regulation Coaching teaches kids how to:
Use calming tools
Build emotional vocabulary
Strengthen executive functions
Develop personalized coping strategies
💡 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 8 of Regulation!
With warmth, Giovanna & the Connected Pathways Coaching Team 🧠💛
