School Counseling Activities for Self-Regulation
Self-regulation is one of those things kids either have language and tools for or they don't. The resources here give them both. Coping skills activities for kids, self control activities, flexible thinking tools, emotion regulation strategies, all in one collection.
Every resource is something I've used in my own sessions or classroom guidance. They're low-prep on purpose because that's the constraint we work under.
What's in the collection
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flexible thinking activities
Why these work
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printable and digital formats
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coping skills, self control, and flexible thinking covered in one place
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works for Tier 1 classroom instruction and individual counseling
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elementary and middle school appropriate
Want unlimited access?
If you pull from these resources regularly, IMPACT membership ($39/month or $390/year) gives you unlimited access to every coping skills and regulation resource in the shop, plus everything else. About 1,000 counselors are using it.
CTA
Browse the full collection below. For related tools, check out the feelings check-in collection and anger management resources.
FAQs
What are coping skills activities for kids?
Coping skills activities are structured exercises that teach kids specific strategies for managing difficult emotions and tough situations. Common ones: deep breathing, positive self talk, sensory regulation, and step-by-step problem-solving.
What is self-regulation in school counseling?
Self-regulation is a student's ability to manage their own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors when something goes sideways. School counselors use self-regulation activities to teach those skills in structured, supportive ways, which builds long-term resilience.
What are flexible thinking activities?
Flexible thinking activities help students practice shifting perspectives, adapting to changes they didn't expect, and approaching problems from multiple angles. They're especially useful for kids who get stuck in rigid thinking patterns or anxiety.
Showing 35 products
Looking for a ready-to-use self-regulation small group? Ready to Regulate is a complete 8-week self-regulation group that includes weekly outlines with objectives and ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors. This resource includes everything you need to run a successful small group including...
Looking for a one-stop shop for all of your school counseling needs? Need to make sure all of your curriculum follows research-based best practices? This comprehensive year-long three-tiered school counseling curriculum is designed to give you everything you need to...
This self-regulation curriculum is designed to be used with students in an individual setting. Through engaging activities, crafts, and games, students will learn the strategies and coping skills they need in order to reduce anxiety. Each session includes an outline...
With this engaging and hands-on activity pack, students will learn new self-regulation strategies, how to identify the size of their problems, and how to practice appropriate reactions. Additionally, students will identify ways to solve their problems, differentiate between big and...
Do your middle school students struggle with self-regulation and responding to conflicts in a healthy way? Self-regulation and conflict response are essential topics to teach at the middle school level. This middle school counseling self-regulation and conflict response lesson is thoughtfully designed...
Looking for low-prep counseling activities to use with the students in an individual counseling setting? Need to make sure all of your curriculum follows research-based best practices? This individual counseling curriculum bundle is designed to be used with students in a tier...
This 6-week emotion recognition and self-regulation small group is designed to help students identify their feelings, emotions, and applicable coping skills to help them self-regulate. This curriculum includes everything you need to run a successful school counseling small group including...
Small group counseling is an essential part of an MTSS comprehensive school counseling program. This elementary school counseling group bundle includes 10 ready-to-use small groups for Tier II intervention, all of which are ASCA and CASEL-aligned! Topics covered include anxiety,...
This 7-week emotion recognition and management middle school counseling group is designed to help students recognize how they are feeling and practice coping skills. In addition students will learn relaxation techniques and how to reframe negative thought patterns. This curriculum includes everything...
Looking for low-prep counseling activities to use with primary students in an individual counseling setting? This primary individual counseling curriculum bundle is designed to be used with students in a tier III individual setting. Through engaging activities, crafts, and games,...
Are you looking for a super fun and engaging self-regulation classroom lesson that your students will be talking about for the rest of the day? This fun, low-prep, classroom counseling lesson will keep students engaged and give them a new...
Looking for low-prep counseling activities to use with the students in an individual counseling setting? This individual counseling curriculum bundle is designed to be used with students in a tier III individual setting. Through engaging activities, crafts, and games, students...