Teach Your Child To Communicate & Regulate Their Emotions
Know what your child needs in 5-minutes with our Brain Buddy Self-Regulation Tool
This Self-Regulation Tool Is For You If…
You want to raise a child who can understand and communicate their emotions.
You care about your child’s long-term emotional health, not just in the moment behavior.
You want to teach your child tools that will allow them to regulate their emotions independently.
You’re ready to stop second-guessing and start responding to your child in a way that builds sustainable emotional regulation skills.
You want your child to grow into someone who feels confident, understood, and in control of themselves.
Stop guessing what your child needs. Get clear on what’s happening and what to do right now.
Teach your child the skill of self-regulation with the Brain BUddy Check-In, so they can understand their emotions, communicate what they need, and begin to handle them independently. You'll see the below benefits and more if this tool is used consistently for 30 days.
Teach Your Child To Give Their Brain What It Needs
When any of these needs are missing it can create a dysregulated nervous system manifesting into behavioral or academic struggles such as, meltdowns, shutdowns, defiance, or overwhelm. The Brain Check-In Cards help you teach your child how to identify what they are feeling so that they can provide themselves with what they need to regulate their nervous system. Which need do you think your child is missing the most?
Stella = Stability
When life feels unpredictable, children become anxious, clingy, or easily overwhelmed.
Connie = Connection
When children feel disconnected, they may ignore directions, act out, or seek attention in negative ways.
Ace = Acceptance
When children feel constantly corrected or compared, they may shut down, become defensive, or lose confidence.
Val = Value
When children feel unseen or unheard, they may interrupt, argue, or act out just to be noticed.
Hon = Honesty
When communication feels confusing or inconsistent, children may push limits, question authority, or feel insecure.
Clara = Clarity
When expectations are unclear, children often become frustrated, resistant, or overwhelmed.
Trust = Trey
When promises are broken or rules constantly change, children may become anxious, guarded, or controlling.
Teach Your Child To Manage Their Emotions
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Teach Your Child To Manage Their Emotions *
Teach your child the skill of self-regulation with the Brain BUddy Check-In, so they can understand their emotions, communicate what they need, and begin to handle them independently. You'll see the below benefits and more if this tool is used consistently for 30 days.
How to Use Your Brain Buddy Cards
Pick a card – Invite your child to choose the Brain Buddy that feels right for them.
Name the need – Each Buddy represents one of the 7 Essential Brain Needs (Stability, Connection, Acceptance, Value, Honesty, Clarity, Trust).
Talk it out – Ask a simple question: “I see you picked Connie — do you need some connection right now?”
Take action – Meet that need with something small: a hug, a clear step, or a quick routine.
Tip: Keep the cards somewhere visible (like on the fridge, in a calm corner, or in a backpack) so your child can reach for them when emotions feel big.
How To Print
These cards are designed to be printed as double-sided cards — front = Brain Buddy identity, back = practical regulation suggestions.
How to print:
Open the PDF and select Print on Both Sides / Duplex Printing in your printer settings.
Choose Flip on Short Edge so the fronts and backs line up correctly.
Print on cardstock for durability or laminate.
Cut along the lines to make individual cards.
👉 If your printer doesn’t do double-sided: print all the odd pages first (the fronts), flip the stack, then print the even pages (the backs).
Use these cards at home or in the classroom. Parents can ask, “Which Brain Buddy do you need right now?” and kids can point. Teachers can keep them on a desk or wall as a quick communication tool to prevent meltdowns and bring calm back into the room.
Created By A Neurodivergent For The Neurodivergent.
BA in Psychology with a focus on brain-body learning
Over 10 years experience as a substitute teacher
Specialized in trauma-informed behavior strategies and classroom management
Trained in Crossinology and certified in Touch for Health – movement-based techniques that support focus, emotional regulation, and brain integration
ADHD advocate with lived experience and professional tools
Neurodivergent learner helping kids love their brain and ditch the shame