230+ Emotional Self-Regulation Tools for Kids to Try
From the outside, emotional dysregulation can look like a huge reaction to something seemingly small (to the adult). Maybe it’s…
Emotional Regulation
Learn evidence-based strategies to help children build self-awareness and coping skills. Understand co-regulation techniques, self-regulation, mindfulness, and effective approaches to support kids in recognizing and navigating their big emotions in daily life.
15 articles
How You’re Accidentally Teaching Your Child to Ignore Their Body Signals
What’s inside this article: How well-meaning adults accidentally teach kids to ignore their body signals, why this matters for emotional…
18 Effective De-Escalation Strategies For Defusing Meltdowns
What’s inside this article: An overview of the escalation cycle, how the nervous system responds during stress and what that means for your child’s behavior, and evidence-based, supportive de-escalation strategies to help you compassionately support your child during meltdowns and outbursts. Understanding Meltdowns As a parent, it’s important to know some safe, helpful de-escalation strategies…
Using Coloring and Doodling to Support Regulation and Mindfulness
Coloring and doodling are often seen as simple, fun activities. But for many children, they’re also powerful tools for emotional regulation, mindfulness, and self-expression. If you’re a parent, educator, or therapist supporting a neurodivergent child who experiences stress, anxiety, or sensory overwhelm, these creative outlets may offer more than just entertainment. They can be part…
What Is the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique (And Why Does It Matter)?
The 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique is a simple, sensory-based mindfulness practice that helps kids feel calm, present, and in control. It teaches them to connect with the environment through their five senses—sight, touch, hearing, smell, and taste. Grounding is a useful coping tool for anyone who experiences sensory overload, anxiety, or emotional dysregulation. It’s often practiced…
Sensory Validation — Validate to Help Regulate
This chicken is spicy! No, it’s not. You’re fine. Just eat it. But it’s spicy! Eat it or no (insert…
Teaching Kids to Breathe – Simple Deep Breathing Activities for Kids
Deep breathing activities are an excellent way to help children regulate their emotions and manage stress. These simple yet effective…
Preventing Dysregulation – Proactive Strategies for Staying at Baseline
Welcome to the final installment of the “Back to Baseline” series! In Part Seven, we focus on proactive strategies for…
How to Build the Ultimate “Back to Baseline” Toolkit for Emotional Regulation
Welcome to Part Six of the “Back to Baseline” series! In this installment, we focus on creating a personalized “Back…
Co-Regulation and Behavior Supports for Getting Back to Baseline
Welcome to part five of our seven-part series, “Getting Back to Baseline.” In this article, we explore co-regulation and behavior…
Sensory and Emotional Regulation Tools to Help Kids Get Back to Baseline
Welcome to part four of our seven-part series, “Getting Back to Baseline.” In part three, we talked about why regulation…
Baseline Before Skill-Building: Why Regulation is Important
Imagine trying to focus on learning a new skill or solving a complex problem while feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or completely…