Emotional self-regulation is the main skill at the centre of this printable poster, with child-friendly language for recognising a busy brain and choosing what to do next. It uses the phrase I can pause, I can reset, I can handle this, which makes it suitable for children who need a clear reassurance cue during anxiety, sensory overload, school stress or big feelings.
The poster names common signs that a child’s brain may be too busy, including feeling stressed, being unable to focus, feeling irritated, forgetting things, feeling tired, wanting to cry, feeling shaky or feeling yucky inside. These prompts can help parents, teachers, teaching assistants, counsellors and play therapists start a conversation with primary-aged children about what overwhelm feels like in the body and mind.
Practical coping tools are shown in five clear steps: take deep breaths, get it out of my head, focus on one thing, take a brain break and ask for help. The ideas are concrete and easy to practise, such as breathing in and out slowly, writing it down, drawing it, talking about it, taking one step at a time, stretching, walking, listening to music, reading, colouring or speaking to someone trusted.
Helpful boundaries are included too, with a what not to do section that gently warns against bottling feelings up, thinking worst case, trying to do everything at once, taking feelings out on others or scrolling and escaping all day. That balance makes it useful as a kids anxiety poster, emotional regulation visual, coping skills handout or calm down strategy sheet for classrooms, SEN support, pastoral care, counselling sessions and family routines. Credit on the file is given to Edita Stiborova.
