When I feel mad I can.....

Any time emotions got heightened when my child was between ages 2-5

Emotional regulation was very difficult for my son. As a toddler and preschooler he would hit, pull hair, bite and scratch when dysregulated and feeling angry.

In consultation and working with the Occupational Therapist and Behavioural Psychologist, we worked together on a verbal script: 'when I am angry I can.......... I will not......' And when my son was at regulated and at baseline emotions, I would show him the pictures of unfavourable reactions and presented him with the behaviours to replace those hurtful actions. We would review them together regularly when he was at baseline, particularly after an escalation.

With firm repetition, verbal and pictures instruction, my son eventually made positive choices with friends when he felt angry, and then later at home.