Managing Emotions with Check-ins
For kids with learning differences and/or ADHD, coping with big emotions can be tough, especially when they cannot describe what they’re feeling. Emotional check-ins help a child connect sensation, self-awareness and mental health.
Emotional check-ins can be as simple as having your child label their feelings. Try using tools like:
Make it a daily habit and start the morning with a “How do you feel today?” check-in, or as a way to debrief after school.
Over time, kids learn to connect physical sensations, (tight chest, fidgety hands), with emotional states, (anxiety or frustration). Check-ins also open the door to validating their experiences and learning other regulation strategies, like deep breathing or journaling.
When children can name their feelings, they’re better equipped to manage them.
