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Coping Skills Chart:
A Visual Guide to Emotional Resilience

Boy using coping skills

In today's fast-paced world, stress and emotional challenges are a part of everyday life. Whether you're a parent helping your child regulate big emotions, a teacher supporting students in the classroom, or someone working on your own mental health journey, having a reliable toolkit of strategies is essential. That’s where a Coping Skills Chart comes in — a simple, effective visual that promotes healthy responses to emotional stress.

Download your FREE Coping Skills Wheel PDF below and empower yourself or others with tools for emotional regulation.

What is a Coping Skills Chart?

A Coping Skills Chart is a visual representation of techniques that individuals can use to manage stress, anxiety, anger, sadness, or other difficult emotions. These charts break down complex emotional processes into clear, manageable steps or strategies that can be used in real-life scenarios.

Coping skills fall into various categories: physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and creative. A comprehensive chart not only lists these skills but often organizes them in an engaging and easy-to-understand layout — like a coping skills wheel, which we offer as a downloadable PDF.

Why Use a Coping Skills Chart?

Life can be unpredictable, and emotions can sometimes feel overwhelming. Having a visual reference like a coping skills chart can be incredibly helpful, especially as part of a behavior intervention plan for:

  • Children and teens who are still developing emotional literacy, or diagnosed with ADHD or Autism.
  • Therapists, counselors, and educators who need quick tools to support their clients or students
  • Parents and caregivers seeking practical ways to help their children build emotional resilience

Benefits include:

  • Immediate access to strategies when emotions run high
  • Structured emotional regulation for developing brains
  • Customizable approaches depending on the individual’s preferences and needs
  • Improved communication between children and adults regarding feelings and appropriate coping methods

What's Inside the Coping Skills Wheel?

Our downloadable Coping Skills Wheel PDF includes a thoughtfully designed chart divided into multiple categories. Each section of the wheel highlights effective, research-backed coping skills that can be practiced regularly or used as needed. Here’s a sneak peek at what each section contains:

  • Deep breathing
  • Exercise or stretching
  • Talking to someone you trust
  • Drawing or coloring emotions
  • Squeezing a stress ball
  • Hugging a stuffed animal
  • Listening to Music in a quiet place
  • Counting to 10

Who Can Use the Coping Skills Wheel?

The beauty of a coping skills chart like our wheel is that it can be adapted for virtually any age or setting. Here are some ideas for usage:

  • Classrooms: Post the chart in a calming corner or use it during emotional regulation lessons.
  • Therapy Offices: Integrate it into sessions with clients of all ages.
  • Homes: Print and display the wheel on the fridge or bedroom wall for easy access.
  • Workplaces: Encourage mindfulness and emotional health by providing charts in break rooms or wellness programs.

How to Use the Coping Skills Chart Effectively

  • Introduce the concept: Talk about coping skills as healthy ways to deal with strong feelings.
  • Explore the wheel together: If you're working with children or clients, go through each category and discuss examples.
  • Create a personal coping plan: Identify 2–3 favorite strategies from each section to build a personalized toolkit.
  • Practice regularly: The more frequently coping skills are used, the more natural they become during high-stress moments.
  • Revisit and revise: As people grow and change, so should their coping skills. Update the chart periodically to reflect new preferences.
  • 📥 Download Your Free Coping Skills Wheel PDF

    coping skills chart

    Ready to take emotional wellness to the next level? Fill out the form below to download your FREE Coping Skills Wheel PDF and begin helping children build a healthier, more resilient mindset today.

    Coping Skills Chart Download

    Please note that all fields followed by an asterisk must be filled in.

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    This printable version is perfect for:

    • Laminating and using with dry-erase markers
    • Including in therapy or IEP binders
    • Posting in calming corners or wellness spaces
    • Giving to clients as part of a therapeutic toolkit

    Additional Strategies to Encourage Coping Skills

    For younger children, using social stories or fun songs that encourage the use of coping skills in place of aggressive behaviors or tantrums in kids can be a great way to introduce them to the different concepts of the coping skills wheel. These approaches make emotional learning engaging and age-appropriate, helping children relate to common feelings and responses in a playful, safe way.

    Below are a couple of animated stories that review different coping skills in a fun and relatable format for younger kids to enjoy and learn from. These can be shown at home, in therapy sessions, or in the classroom as part of emotional regulation lessons.


    Final Thoughts

    A Coping Skills Chart is more than just a list — it’s a powerful visual reminder that emotions can be managed in constructive, empowering ways. With the help of our downloadable coping skills wheel PDF, anyone can begin to build a more confident and resilient response to life’s ups and downs.


    If you haven't already, be sure to check out my ebooks, now on Amazon!

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