Children’s Activity: What can I control?

Sometimes, we can all get caught in spirals of thoughts surrounding things that are not in our control. So, how do we support children to begin conversations about what they are in control of, versus what they are not?

Anxiety frequently exists where we attempt to control things that are uncontrollable. Ever noticed that we rarely develop anxiety around whether we have exercised enough – but often have a lot of anxiety around other people’s actions or thoughts?

What is in my control?

Download it here 

What next?

1. Download the prompt sheet here
2. On a separate piece of paper, encourage children to draw two circles
3. Label one – What I can control
4. Label the second – What I cannot control
5. Encourage children to think about what they can control – considering home, school, behaviours, friends, hobbies, self-care etc
6. Encourage children to think about what they cannot control – considering home, school, behaviours, friends, hobbies, self-care etc
7. Once they have thought of all they can, refer to the prompt sheet and see if there are any things that they have missed
8. Identify three steps that they can take to focus their attention on what they CAN control for the week

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Further help 

For more articles about mental health visit – ARTICLES 

To learn more about child and adolescent mental health visit – COURSES 

For resources to support child and adolescent mental health visit –RESOURCES