Impulse control is a foundational skill for emotion regulation—and many kids don’t have it yet.

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline continues her series on impulse control and explains how impulsive reactions block learning, problem-solving, and emotional growth. You’ll learn how to help kids and teens slow down, map their emotional patterns, and practise new responses before big emotions take over.

Topics covered:

• Why impulsivity makes emotion regulation harder
• How to map thoughts, feelings, body sensations, urges, and behaviours
• Using environment changes to make self-control easier
• If-then planning that works in real life
• Helping kids practise new behaviours without shame or power struggles
• Why reinforcement and recovery time matter

This episode is designed for parents, educators, school staff, and mental health professionals working with kids who react fast and struggle to pause.

🎧 Listen, share, and subscribe for more practical tools to support emotional growth.

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Follow Dr. Caroline

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzanko

IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzanko

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/

Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/

Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/

Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/

Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Impulsivity doesn’t come from nowhere. It shows up when emotions move faster than skills.

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline moves into part 2 of impulse control, unpacking what kids actually need to slow impulsive reactions and make better choices when feelings surge. You’ll hear why impulse control cannot be taught in isolation, how emotional literacy lays the groundwork, and why kids need repeated, real-world practice, not lectures, to change behaviour.

We talk about recognizing emotional patterns, mapping triggers across the day, teaching opposite actions, building self-coaching language, and creating safe opportunities for kids to practice responding differently while emotions are active. This episode is packed with practical strategies for parents, educators, and clinicians who want to help kids build real pause, choice, and follow-through.

Homework Ideas

• Track daily emotion triggers using simple ABC notes (Antecedent, Behaviour, Consequence)
• Help kids identify body cues that signal rising emotion
• Create a short list of opposite actions for common emotions
• Practice self-coaching scripts out loud, then quietly
• Set up safe, repeatable practice moments at home or school
• Reinforce effort with specific feedback
• Rotate practice across settings, people, and times of day

Helpful Tools

• Coping cards
• Choice boards
• Emotion–action–outcome maps
• Visual stop cues
• Progress tracking charts

Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh

Follow Dr. Caroline

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzanko

IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzanko

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/

Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/

Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/

Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/

Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Many kids struggle with impulse control, and adults are often left wondering why strategies don’t stick. This episode breaks down the foundations of impulsive behaviour and why so many kids react without thinking — especially when emotions are high.

Dr. Caroline explains the building blocks kids need long before self-control can happen: emotional safety, a developing prefrontal cortex, attention regulation, and the four types of impulsivity that influence behavior. You’ll learn how urgency, acting too fast, difficulty sticking with tasks, and sensation seeking show up in everyday life.

This episode helps parents, educators, and mental health professionals finally understand the why behind big reactions — and sets the groundwork for change.

Homework Ideas

Track patterns (simple, daily).

Write down:

• When impulsivity happened
• What emotion was present
• What urge the child felt
• What behaviour followed

This reveals triggers and themes.

Build “urge awareness.”

Ask your child:

• “When you feel angry, what does your body want to do first?”
• “When you're excited, what do you want to do right away?”

This grows self-observation before action.

Watch your own impulse moments.

Kids mirror adults.

Choose one moment this week to pause before reacting.

Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh

Follow Dr. Caroline

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzanko

IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzanko

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/

Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/

Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/

Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/

Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/