Suggestions for using "Funny Food Feelings Chart":
1. Hang or place your chart in a location that is easily accessible to your child. Make sure your child knows where the chart is kept so that they can use it when they need it.
2. Begin using the chart with your child when they are calm and ready to learn. If you introduce the chart to your child when they are in the middle of a big meltdown, they will not be open to learning these new skills, and the chart is more likely to become a flying object than a helpful developmental tool. Practice using the chart with your child when they are calm, so that they prepared to apply these skills when the big feelings come along.
3. Use the chart as a reflection tool. It is not usually productive to ask a child (or an adult) to have an in-depth conversation about their feelings while they are physically disregulated (screaming, hitting, running away) because of that feeling. Wait until your child has calmed down, and use the chart to talk about the feelings that led to those behaviors.
4. Teach and reinforce the use of the chart by modeling how to use it. Children learn by example, and they are also more motivated to do a behavior if they see adults who they love and trust doing these same behaviors.