189. Can writing help kids regulate better than talking?
Overpowering Emotions: Tools for Child & Teen Anxiety and Resilience · Caroline Buzanko
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Show Notes
When emotions get tangled up in rumination, kids—and adults—can stay stuck. Expressive writing offers a way out.
In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline Buzanko shares how writing helps shift overwhelming emotions into structured thinking, builds resilience, and keeps the brain's self-regulation system online. She explains why freewriting beats silent spiraling, how to introduce this tool to kids, and how a simple daily habit can create lasting emotional change.
This episode explores:
· Why writing regulates better than talking or thinking
· How to introduce structured emotional writing at home and school
· Ways to adapt expressive writing for different ages and comfort levels
· How to use gratitude journals, letters, and storytelling to strengthen resilience
Homework Ideas:
Personal Trial
Spend 15–20 minutes writing freely about an emotional experience for 4 consecutive days. No editing, no structure. Just write.
Introduce to Kids
· Adapt freewriting for different ages: drawing, storytelling, or voice-to-text if needed.
· Introduce a Feelings Journal with no rules—just a safe space.
Gratitude Practice
Write 3 things you’re grateful for each night for one week. Try it with kids too.
Communication Journal
Start a parent-child or teacher-student communication notebook. Quietly pass it back and forth. No pressure, no corrections.
Story Rewrites
Encourage rewriting tough experiences with a different ending to build emotional flexibility.
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Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/