Creating a Coping Kit
Kids react in a variety of ways to the experiences and emotions happening in their lives. If your child is feeling worried about something such as returning to school in the fall, creating a coping kit is a great tool to help your child deal with their emotions. The purpose of these kits is to provide kids with physical items that help them deal with feelings in a healthy way. While you are working on these kits, use the opportunity to talk with your child about their feelings. Ask them about what causes them to feel anxious or stressed and help them develop healthy coping strategies.
You will need:
- A shoebox, bin, old lunch kit, backpack-anything that your child wants to put their items in
- Craft items to decorate your box if you wish
- Items for your kit
Have your child decorate their bin any way they would like, keeping in mind that it should reflect positivity. Place items in the box that will help your child cope with their emotions in a healthy way.
Items that you can include:
- A song playlist
- Pictures of favourite people, places or things
- List of phone numbers of support people
- Chocolate or a favourite small treat
- Colouring pages
- Pencil crayons, markers or crayons
- Materials for a favourite hobby
- A journal and pen
- Fidgets (Squishy ball, pipe cleaners,
- A favourite book
- A stuffed animal
- Positive affirmations such as "I've got this"; "I can do this"; "I will do my best"
For more information and details on coping kits visit: https://copingskillsforkids.com/blog/2016/6/6/how-to-make-a-coping-skills-toolbox-for-your-child
