BIGFeels NYC
SEL Coaching
Self-Management Skills
BIGFeels NYC empowers children to regulate their emotions, manage their behavior, stay focused on tasks, and cope with stress effectively.
Self-management connects to executive functioning and emotion regulation, helping children stay in control of their responses even when things get challenging.
With over 15 years of experience, our team uses evidence-based tools that promote lasting skills for children ages 3-10. We support children in New York City both in-home and virtually. No diagnosis required.
The Benefits Of Self-Management Skills For Kids
Self-management helps children effectively regulate their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. These are teachable skills based in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and the latest social science. By building skills like impulse control, stress management, and persistence, children are better able to navigate everyday situations at home, school, and with friends.
Through joyful, play-filled sessions, we empower children to:
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Stop and think before acting, especially when excited or frustrated
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Stay focused on tasks even when distractions are present
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Manage stress and calm themselves when feeling overwhelmed
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Persist through challenging work without giving up
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Set goals and stay motivated to reach them
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Adapt when plans change or things don't go their way
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Use healthy strategies to cope with stress and other uncomfortable feelings
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Keep trying even when something is hard
Every child develops self-management skills at their own pace. We also coach each child holistically, covering a variety of skill areas that might also be associated with self-awareness, responsible decision making, or social awareness and relationship skills.
Each week, parents receive detailed updates and strategies for reinforcing learning at home.
Download A Sample Intake Report:
Helping Children Manage Emotions Starts With Understanding Triggers
When parents can predict stress it's easier to provide preventative support. Common triggers like hunger, tiredness, or transition times can activate a child's nervous system and trigger a "meltdown". However, children can learn to manage emotions with the right coaching from parents, like providing a timeline for when a transition is going to happen next or offering a snack at the right time. It all starts with recognizing children's patterns. Watch the video below to hear more about how parents can help children manage their emotions.
The 5-4-3-2-1 Technique Can Help Kids Manage Emotions
The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique is a sensory-based tool that helps children move out of overwhelm and back into the present moment. By engaging all five senses, the nervous system shifts out of "fight or flight" and into calm. This technique is especially useful during meltdowns, anxiety spikes, tantrums, transitions, and overstimulation. Download our grounding technique handout to see the steps, along with sample scripts for practicing self-manage with your child.
Self-Management Skill Areas
Skills for staying persistent, focused, and calm
These building blocks help children regulate their behavior and emotions so they can navigate challenges with greater control and resilience.
Self-Control & Impulse Control
Practicing patience, taking turns, pausing before taking action, and thinking through consequences.
Focus & Perseverance
Getting started on tasks independently, staying on track, and persisting even when work gets hard.
Coping With Stress & Anxiety
Staying calm when feelings are intense, using support from adults, tolerating discomfort, and getting steady again.