Emotional regulation is a skill that develops over time, and it develops more slowly for some children than others. Support works better than correction.
Regulate first, discuss later
Very little useful learning happens while a child is overwhelmed. Helping them settle first, and talking about what happened afterwards, tends to achieve more than reasoning in the moment.
Name what you see
Describing what seems to be happening — that something looked frustrating, or too loud, or too fast — gives a child language for their own experience.
Look at the conditions
Hunger, tiredness, noise and transitions between activities account for a great deal. Changing the conditions is often easier and more effective than changing the response.
Where to go next
- The service: Parent Psychoeducation
- Who delivers it: Our professionals
- What it costs: Prices
- How to start: Book a free 15-minute suitability call