editor’s choice
My children really understood
this simple little visual, and it
became a stepping stone to teach
emotions regulation and behavior
management. I discussed with my
children how they could use each
light and gave them tools to use at
every step.
Red light! I
would say this
phrase when I saw one of the kids
(or both) getting hot under the
collar. I gave them several options
to do during red light, including
walking away, sitting down, and
taking deep breaths. If someone
was very angry and I saw that he
needed my help stopping, I’d step in
and offer my assistance. “Let’s take
a walk together” or “put up your
moose antlers and let’s take 3 deep
breaths.” I helped my child calm
down repetitively but over time, he
started being able to calm himself.
This was a big win!
27