
Purpose: To use a mediating object to teach emotional containment.
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Externalization: The Box (with its color slip) allows the child to “take” the emotion out of their body and put it in a safe place. This interrupts the tantrum cycle.
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Practice: The adult models how to “catch” the feeling and dramatically deposit it into the box. Closing the lid is the symbolic act of containment.
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The Post-Box Dialogue: Only after the child is completely calm, open the box for reflection. “Why did the red feeling want to come out today? Can we make a plan for it to be calm next time?” (Connects the emotion to its cause and solution).
Exercise Files