Emotional
Control
Teach various emotions and facial expressions for self-awareness
Provide a safe space in the room where a child can go if he/she is feeling overwhelmed
Model emotions and ways that you cope to promote problem solving
Emphasize that mistakes are a part of learning
Use a visual rating scale (feelings thermometer) to identify and describe feelings
Teach coping/calming skills
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Deep breathing
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Positive self-talk
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Listening to music
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Take a break in quiet area
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Take a drink
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Read, draw, or journal
Give warning before transitions or allow extra time
Use social stories or role play scenarios to teach regulation techniques
Identifying and writing down triggers
Visualization to help calm the mind
Coping cards or calm down box with soothing items to help relax
Children's books that encourage identifying emotions such as The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
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Card games to teach how to handle emotions when losing
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Uno
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Go fish
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Crazy eights
Board games to teach how to handle emotions when losing
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Candy Land
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Don’t Break the Ice
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Jenga
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Checkers
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Sorry!
Interactive games ​​to teach how to handle emotions when losing
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Simon says
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Duck duck goose
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Musical chairs
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Red light green light
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Freeze tag
References
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Beck, C. (2019). Executive Functioning Skills Activity Guide. www.theottoolbox.com
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Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University (2014). Enhancing and Practicing Executive Function Skills with Children from Infancy to Adolescence. www.developingchild.harvard.edu.
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Dawson, P., & Guare, R., (2018). From Executive Function Skills in Children and Adolescents. New York: Guilford Press. Third Edition.
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Forgan, J. W., & Richey, M. A. (2015). The impulsive, disorganized child: Solutions for parenting kids with executive functioning difficulties. Prufrock Press Inc.​
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Harkla. (2022, February 22). Top 7 Executive Functioning Strategies for Kids [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2N0_zBYLlk
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Kenworthy, L., Anthony, L. G., Alexander, K. C., Werner, M. A., Cannon, L., & Greenman, L. (2014). Solving executive function challenges: Simple ways to get kids with autism unstuck and on target. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
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O’Brien, J., & Kuhaneck, H. (2019). Case-smith’s occupational therapy for children and adolescents (8th ed.). Elsevier.
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Otero, T. M., Barker, L. A., & Naglieri, J. A. (2014). Executive function treatment and intervention in schools. Applied Neuropsychology: Child, 3(3), 205–214. https://doi.org/10.1080/21622965.2014.897903
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Soclof, A., & Christie, L., (2020). Executive Functioning: Teaching Children Organizational Skills [Online course]. Professional Development Resources.
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Wolraich, M., & Hagan, J. F. (2019). ADHD: What every parent needs to know (3rd edition). American Academy of Pediatrics.