Now that I’ve introduced my book, let’s take a deeper look at how it works and the benefits it offers to kids and caregivers. Calm Kit Chronicles is more than just a storybook—it’s a tool that helps children understand and manage their emotions in real-life situations.
If you haven’t heard about my book yet, check it out here to learn more about it!
In this post, I’ll break down how Chapter 2: Feeling Frustrated When Work is Hard provides both storytelling and practical coping strategies to help children manage frustration. I’ll explore:
- How the book is structured
- Why storytelling is an effective teaching tool
- The specific strategies in this chapter
- The science behind each approach, through an ABA lens
By understanding both the emotional and behavioral aspects of frustration, caregivers can support children in developing stronger coping skills that foster resilience and independence.
Antecedent Strategies: Setting the Stage for Emotional Regulation
Antecedent strategies focus on what happens before frustration occurs. The goal is to prevent emotional overload by structuring tasks and environments in a way that supports success.
Recognizing Emotional Cues
In Chapter 2, the character describes frustration as:
- A “big knot in my brain that won’t untangle”
- Feeling “stuck and upset”
- Physical signs like a warm face or the urge to scribble
ABA Application: Teach kids to recognize their frustration signals before they escalate. Use an emotions chart or visual cue cards to help them label their feelings in real time.
Breaking Down Tasks into Smaller Steps
Frustration often occurs when a child feels overwhelmed. The book reassures kids that struggling is normal and encourages them to take it one step at a time.
ABA Strategy: Task Analysis – Break large tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Instead of “write a paragraph,” start with brainstorming, then move to writing one sentence at a time.
Setting Up a Supportive Learning Environment
A structured environment reduces frustration by making expectations clear. In the book, the character learns that frustration doesn’t mean failure—it just means a different approach is needed.
ABA Strategy: Visual Supports – Use checklists, step-by-step guides, or timers to help children stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.
How to Help Kids Manage Frustration
Understanding why frustration happens is the first step to helping children manage it. In this video, I’ll walk through some of the key ABA strategies that can support kids when they feel overwhelmed, including how to recognize frustration, break tasks into smaller steps, and reinforce positive coping behaviors.
Video resources coming soon! Stay tuned for updates.
Teaching Strategies: Building Emotional Resilience
Once the environment is prepared, it’s time to teach children how to handle frustration in a constructive way.
Modeling Effective Coping Strategies
The book introduces strategies like:
- Asking for help: “I’m really frustrated with this problem. Can you help me figure it out?”
- Taking a break: Stepping away from a task before frustration escalates.
- Using a calm-down tool: A stress ball provides a simple but effective way to release tension.
ABA Application: Model these strategies in everyday situations. Role-play frustration scenarios and practice responses in a calm setting before they are needed.
Teaching Self-Monitoring Skills
The story encourages kids to self-reflect and find solutions that work for them.
ABA Strategy: Self-Monitoring Tools – Use emotion tracking sheets or reflection journals where children can write or draw how they feel and what strategy they used.
Consequence Strategies: Reinforcing Positive Coping Skills
Consequence strategies focus on what happens after a child manages frustration. The goal is to reinforce positive behaviors and gently redirect ineffective coping attempts.
Encouraging Persistence Through Positive Feedback
The book highlights the importance of trying again after frustration subsides.
ABA Strategy: Descriptive Praise – Instead of just saying “Good job,” try: “I love how you took a deep breath and tried again after you felt frustrated.”
Reinforcing the Use of Coping Tools
In Chapter 2, kids learn to make and use a stress ball as a tool for managing frustration.
ABA Strategy: Differential Reinforcement – Reward children when they use appropriate coping strategies (e.g., squeezing the stress ball instead of throwing a pencil).
Handling Frustration with Patience
If frustration escalates, caregivers should validate the child’s emotions while guiding them back to problem-solving.
ABA Strategy: Prompting and Redirection – If a child gets stuck, gently remind them of their available tools: “I see you’re getting frustrated. Do you want to squeeze your stress ball before we try again?”
Full Step-by-Step Guide + DIY Stress Ball Tutorial
Frustration is a big feeling, and managing it requires a combination of proactive strategies, reinforcement, and hands-on tools. In this subscriber-only video, I take a deep dive into:
Exclusive video tutorial coming soon! Subscribe now to be the first to access it when it’s released.
Takeaway: Storytelling Meets ABA Strategies
What kids learn from this chapter:
- Frustration is normal—it’s part of learning.
- Asking for help is a great strategy when something feels too hard.
- Breaking tasks into smaller steps makes them easier to manage.
- Using a stress ball or another calm-down tool can help refocus and reset.
By blending storytelling with ABA-based strategies, Calm Kit Chronicles makes emotional regulation engaging, relatable, and effective. Caregivers, educators, and therapists can use these strategies to reinforce emotional resilience and problem-solving skills in real life.
Thank you for being part of the ABACannWin community. Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments. Together, we can make a difference. Together, WE can WIN.
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Yours in Support,
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