❄️ 12 Days of Regulation: Day 9 ❄️
Welcome to Day 9! Today we’re using one of the most effective emotional regulation tools for kids and teens: ✨ Determining the size of a problem — and matching it to the size of the reaction.
This concept helps children build self-awareness, reduce overreactions, and practice flexible thinking.
📝What This Tool Teaches
Kids often react based on how they feel, not based on the actual size of the situation. This tool teaches them to pause and think:
“Is this a glitch… or an emergency?” “Do I need help, or can I handle this myself?”
It builds the foundation for emotional regulation by connecting:
Thoughts
Feelings
Body reactions
Problem-solving choices
🧠 Executive Function Connection
Using this scale strengthens several EF skills:
✔️ Emotional Regulation
Learning to respond in proportion to the situation.
✔️ Self-Monitoring
Checking in with:
“How am I feeling?”
“What do I need right now?”
✔️ Problem-Solving
Matching the level of help to the level of the problem.
✔️ Cognitive Flexibility
Recognizing that some problems are small even when emotions feel big.
These skills reduce meltdowns, increase independence, and support smoother daily routines at home and school.
🎁 Today’s Free Tool: What is the size of your problem? Activity
Our 6-Week 1:1 Emotional Regulation Coaching Program uses this tool to help kids:
Build emotional vocabulary
Reduce overreactions
Strengthen self-control
Improve problem-solving
Develop realistic expectations
Understand which problems need help (and which don’t)
💡 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 10 of Regulation!
With warmth, Giovanna & the Connected Pathways Coaching Team 🧠💛
