Journals, Printables, and Parenting Resources

Use this worksheet as a daily check-in for your child. You could build it into your bedtime routine. It is important for us to reflect on the day, process through our feelings throughout, and find positives to be thankful for. If you prefer a spiral notebook version, we have some for sale under "merch" or in office. 

Just ask Kamryn!

ALL feelings are okay! Sometimes our big feelings take control, and we end up not thinking before speaking or acting. This is when we make bad choices. It is important to stop and think before we make a choice. Allow this worksheet to guide a discussion around big feelings. Some questions to consider asking: What color do you see the most in the jar? In what situations do you feel this way? What has helped in the past when you felt this way? How can I help you with these feelings? 

Spend some time discussing things in and out of our control. I like to use the visual of a hula-hoop with the children I work with. If they need some movement, allow them to jump in and out of the hula-hoop as you name some possibilities. Some examples include: the weather, what other's say about me, how I feel about a situation, if I respond with anger, being careful and following rules, what others think about me, etc. Make them up as you go and most importantly, HAVE FUN!

Oftentimes, anger is a secondary emotion. You may think your child is acting out due to oppositional defiance, but they may feel sad on the inside. It is easier to show anger than sadness; It's like putting on a mask for others. Trauma can be rooted in these feelings. Allow them the space to complete this activity on their own. Do not pressure them to share but rather reflect on these feelings and behaviors in their own personal time. 

By practicing the belly breathing instructions included on the coloring sheet, children can learn to manage their emotions when feeling overwhelmed. Let children simply have fun and color to reinforce learning. Or, get creative and add some special instructions! (Ie. "Draw something that makes you mad as a reminder of when to use belly breathing." "Draw what you might look like before and after using belly breathing." "I want you to practice belly breathing every day. Draw a picture of yourself practicing before bed.")

I encourage all of my clients and families to have a safe space in their home for children to go to when having a big feeling. This area is NOT a place to go to when in trouble or as a "time out." This is often reinforced in the classroom setting, as well. Most classrooms have safe spaces also known as calm down corners. Visuals are helpful in these areas, such as feelings faces and coping skills. Once your child is regulated or in the green zone, you can discuss actions and alternative coping skills to use in the future. 

I notice that many children struggle with negative thinking. In therapy, we use a technique called reframing, where we work on changing negative thoughts to positive thoughts. This can help curb the effects of anxiety that we see in children (physically, emotionally, behaviorally). We often see that negative thoughts are unrealistic thoughts. Children may learn to use thought-stopping, which will help push away unwanted thoughts. In the end, it will help relieve distress. 

Journaling can be extremely therapeutic for children. It should be encouraged that they share if comfortable but not required. It can be helpful for the child to write (or draw) some of these feelings and then rip or crumble up the paper. The act itself can be helpful. This print out focuses on things you child may like to say to someone but does not feel comfortable doing so. 

With an understanding of assertiveness and practice building skills, children acquire more effective social awareness and communication options, instead of negative, reactive behaviors such as aggression or withdrawal. If you work with Kamryn, you will often hear her discuss advocating for oneself as an important tool to have in the toolbox. An example would be: "I feel annoyed when you keep checking if I am doing my homework, because it tells me you don't trust me. I need to be able to prove I can do it on my own."

This is a fun and easy way to discuss coping skills with your child. Coping skills can be described as things we do to help ourselves calm down. Sometimes, our coping skills are not always positive. Provide your child with some examples of positive and negative coping skills, having them guess which they are. This potion worksheet provides them with examples they can try!

It's normal for children to feel afraid or worried at times. These feelings can help kids be cautious. Things that are new, big, loud, or different can seem scary at first. Parents can help kids feel safe and learn to feel at ease. Many of these worries are developmentally appropriate (I.e. toddlers have separation anxiety, age 4-6 fear the dark, monsters, scary dreams).

Parents are encouraged to have a safe space within their house, just as teachers are encouraged to have one within the classroom. However, your child may feel anger, sadness, or anxiety while out shopping or at a friends birthday party. What do you do? Encourage your child to close their eyes and think of their happy place. While they are visualizing this, encourage them to utilize their five senses to relax and regroup back into the present moment. 

Did you know giving thanks can make you happier? Gratitude has been shown to improve mental health, such as reducing depression, and lessen anxiety. It also has tons of other benefits such as improved sleep, relieved stress, improved relationships, and overpower negative emotions. Spending five minutes at the start or end of your day to reflect can really make a difference. 

As we both know, kids LOVE to play games. Talking about anger can be fun! If you would like to make the game competitive, you can keep track of points based on the number rolled. You could also add a point if your child is able to answer the question to the best of their ability. Bonus points if they lose and are able to control their anger! 

ANT's are automatic negative thoughts (get it?!) that impact our thinking and beliefs about ourselves. Have your child write various ANT's in the jar, then have them challenge each ANT with positive thinking outside the jar. 

This activity will help improve your child's self-esteem, social assertiveness, and reframe negative thoughts to positive thoughts. If you notice your child engaging in negative thought patterns, remind them of the ANT's!

Many children do not yet have the skills to set boundaries or understand other's boundaries. By setting boundaries, parents can help kids feel safe and secure, while also teaching them about respect for others. Boundaries also give kids a sense of control over their lives, which can be especially helpful during times of stress or change. As a parent, you can use appropriate modeling when it comes to boundaries. 

Hmm.. this isn't the traditional worksheet. You are right! This is a mandala coloring sheet and kids LOVE to use these as a coping skill. The most important piece of teaching and modeling coping skills with children are using them when they are regulated (calm) first. Then, they can be used when having a big feeling once they have the understanding and tools. Keep a couple of these handy, as they can be very self-soothing for some kids. 

Anxiety is often rooted in worrying about the future or "what if's." This can lead to unwanted, negative thoughts. Write down a few in the bubbles and ask your child if they would like to discuss or keep to themselves. Let them know you are there to support them with their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. You can make this activity extra fun by using bubbles and quite literally, watch them pop away!

I highly encourage ALL parents to look into EFT Tapping and utilize it with your child. There are many great children's books, YouTube videos, and more surrounding this evidenced based treatment. It can be specifically beneficial for children of trauma and anxiety.