The Secret of a Good Mood

1. 1

   Learning to manage strong feelings takes time and repeated practice in everyday life.

2. 2

   When your child is very upset, comfort them first. Try one of these ideas after they are calm enough to notice what you say.

3. 3

   Sit in a calm corner: Prepare a cozy, familiar spot with a soft blanket or favorite toy. Sit there together and let your child hold the toy or blanket while they settle.

4. 4

   Breathe together: Invite your child to copy you. Breathe in slowly through the nose as if smelling a flower, then breathe out gently as if blowing out a candle.

5. 5

   Draw a feelings journal: In a familiar notebook, draw the facial expression from the moment, such as a downturned mouth. Beside it, draw what happened—for example, an ice-cream cone on the ground—and add the words, “My ice cream fell. I feel sad.”

What to notice

• Suggests or tries a way to feel better when upset Emotional Functioning
• Identifies a downturned mouth as a sign of sadness Imitation and Symbolic Representation and Play

Tips

• If your child reaches for a familiar toy or blanket, stay nearby quietly while they settle. When they are calmer, put the experience into simple words: “Holding your friend helped you feel a little better.” This helps your child notice a strategy they can try again.

Developmental benefits

• Social/Emotional: Practicing several calming strategies in everyday life helps your child gradually learn that there are different things they can try when strong feelings arise.
• Cognitive: Drawing a facial expression or an event gives your child practice using simple symbols to represent a feeling.