Tucker Turtle Animated Video-Self-regulation Strategies
[Music playing]
Tucker Turtle: Hi, I’m Tucker Turtle. Do you ever get mad? Huh, I sure do. Being mad can make my body feel all scrunched up or hot or just uncomfortable.
[Crackling]
Once I tried to tie my shoelaces, but I couldn’t. I felt mad! I threw that shoe across the room and broke a lamp. My mom sure was upset.
When I get mad I used to act out and hit or kick or yell at my family and friends. That made them feel sad and scared. And that made me feel sad. So I learned a new way to stay calm when I get mad. Want me to show you?
Children’s voices: Yes.
Tucker Turtle: You do?
Children’s voices: Yeah.
Tucker Turtle: Cool.
[Children giggle]
The first thing I can do when something happens that makes me really mad is to stop yelling and keep my hands and body to myself. Then I can talk inside my shell and take three deep breaths to calm down. In [Inhales]. Out [Exhales]. In [Inhales]. Out [Exhales]. In [Inhales]. Out [Exhales].
After I take my three deep breaths, I can think about how to solve my problem. Want to practice with me?
Children’s voices: Yes.
Tucker Turtle: You do?
Children’s voices: Yes.
Tucker Turtle: OK. Let’s practice together. Hmm. That’s my friend Ally Alligator. He’s playing with my favorite ball. Hey, Ally, I want that ball.
Ally Alligator: No.
Tucker Turtle: That makes me so mad [Grunts]. Wait, this is a chance to practice. I am not going to start yelling. I’m going to walk over here and keep my hands and body to myself. But I am still mad.
OK. Next, I’m going to tuck in my shell and take three deep breaths. Will you do it with me?
Children’s voices: OK.
Tucker Turtle: Thanks. Here we go. Breath in [Inhales] and out [Exhales]. Breathe in [Inhales] and out [Exhales]. One more time. In [Inhales] and out [Exhales]. Phew, I feel better already.
Now, I need to think of a solution. What can I do? Hmm. What’s that? Hey, that’s a good idea. I could ask Ally if we could play with the ball together. He might like that too.
[Catching ball]
Oh, wait what did you say? Good idea. I could just play with something different. That could work. I do like to play with trucks.
[Vroom vroom]
Oh, and what else? I could ask another friend to play? I like that idea too.
[Clapping]
[Friend giggles]
Hey, Ally. Can we play with the ball together?
Ally Alligator: OK.
Tucker Turtle: Great. Thanks.
[Catching ball]
[Music playing]
I feel much better. Thanks for practicing with me. Come back again soon.
[Music playing]
CloseGet ready to think like a turtle! Tucker the Turtle is a fun interactive resource created to help children and families learn strategies to work through big feelings like anger. Tucker helps parents and caregivers support their children in learning what they can do to calm their body and emotions down. This user-friendly resource helps teach emotional regulation with a few simple steps. Tucker the Turtle also promotes emotional literacy, problem-solving, and self-regulation in an engaging way. Use the scripted story and song and finger play activities linked below to support young children to develop strategies for coping with strong feelings.