205. Are kids melting down because they don’t have the right words?

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline zeroes in on emotional literacy as an essential foundation of all self-regulation. From everyday behaviours to big emotional outbursts, the ability to name and understand emotions changes everything.

Learn why kids often shut down, spiral, or explode when they don’t have the right words—and how to build their emotional vocabulary in ways that are playful, specific, and powerful.

You’ll walk away with real-world tools and creative strategies to support kids at every stage.

Learn what you need to help kids feel, name, and regulate emotions—so they can build confidence, connection, and resilience.

Homework Ideas & Resources

Daily Feelings Check-Ins

Using a visual, like a feelings wheel or emojis, ask:

·      How do you feel right now?

·      How do you know?

Resource: use the feels wheel, emotions list, or emojis in the emotional literacy resource book

Build an Emotion Word Wall

Start with basic categories (mad, sad, happy, scared). Then expand with synonyms and nuance (e.g., “annoyed,” “resentful,” “embarrassed,” “overwhelmed”). Ask kids to:

·      Sort words by intensity

·      Compare synonyms (What’s the difference between nervous and uneasy?)

·      Add new words they discover in books, music, or real life

Emotion Detective Journal

Each day, kids track:

·      One emotion they felt

·      What may have triggered it

·      What they noticed in their body, thoughts, and behaviour

·      What helped, what didn’t

This supports emotional tracking and self-awareness over time.

Check out the Emotional Literacy Resource to help you with each of these activities (https://korulearninginstitute.kit.com/emotionalliteracy) 

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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/