Six Strategies to Promote Emotional Regulation in the Home

By: Caroline Crilly, OTR/L

1. Build a “calm corner”, this doesn’t have to be anything fancy…throw a bean bag, pillows, or some couch cushions in a quiet and cozy spot in the house with some calming activities that are easily accessible to your child. Some of these activities can be fidgets, coloring pages, or blowing bubbles (this activity is great for practicing taking deep breaths!). Other items to add could be string lights, white noise machine, sensory bins, weighted blankets, noise-cancelling headphones, or Play-Doh. Calm corners can be used for your child to “take a break” throughout their day regardless if their body is feeling calm or dysregulated.
2. Do feelings “check-ins”! Ask your child how they are feeling throughout their day. You can model this first by telling them how you are feeling. You can even talk about why they might be feeling that emotion and strategies they can use to help them feel more awake, calm, etc.
3. Talk about emotions that your child’s favorite book or movie character might be feeling to help them understand that EVERYONE experiences emotions.
4. Incorporate movement activities throughout the day. To help ease a difficult transition, you could try playing your child’s favorite song and have a dance party before a more challenging activity J or do animal walks up the stairs on the way to the bathroom when it’s time to complete their night time routine! Movement is great for regulation and receiving sensory input to help children’s bodies feel “just right”.
5. Play games with your child to work on waiting, taking turns, and tolerating frustration. Try Jenga, puzzles, Simon Says, or any game that requires taking turns. Games that may be more challenging for your child can encourage them to ask for help or use strategies to manage emotions if they start to feel frustrated.
6. Practice simple self-regulation strategies when your child may be feeling big emotions. Some of my favorites are taking a deep breath, counting to 10, squeezing hands together, or asking for a hug.

It is important that children know that all emotions are okay, but it is also important for us to be able to identify and express our emotions so we are better able to manage them. The occupational therapy team at Child & Family Development is happy to help. Request a complimentary consultation with one of our therapists today!