Coping Plan Piece by Piece

This creative, hands-on resource helps children build their own personalised coping plan piece by piece.

Using a range of illustrated jigsaw pieces, children can explore different coping strategies and choose the ones that feel right for them. Each piece represents a small step that can help with big feelings showing that managing emotions doesn’t have to happen all at once, but can be built gradually, piece by piece.

Children can then add their own ideas using the blank puzzle pieces, encouraging independence, creativity, and ownership of their plan.

With a strong visual approach and minimal writing, this resource is accessible across a wide age range and works well in both one-to-one and small group ELSA sessions.

Supports:

• Emotional awareness and understanding
• Building a personalised toolkit of coping strategies
• Flexibility in trying and changing strategies
• Confidence in managing feelings independently
• Communication about what helps and what doesn’t

This resource gently reinforces that there is no single “right” way to cope just different pieces that can come together to support each individual.

Download: Piece by piece coping plan