Emotional regulation

When Wendel’s Dad needs them to hurry and get ready, Wendel doesn’t want to stop drawing. Yelling isn’t making Wendel get ready any faster- maybe they can try a different approach and work together.

Emotional Regulation

  • You play an important role in helping children regulate their emotions.
  • When you are trying to deal with your child’s emotions, your emotions can escalate quickly. 
  • Children respond to your tone of voice and body language. Slowing down, taking a deep breath, and using a calm tone can make a big difference.
  • Validate your child’s emotional experience, recognize what they are feeling and why they are feeling that way.
  • Collaborative solutions can help to move past the areas that you often get stuck in.

These videos were developed in partnership with the Mary J. Wright Child and Youth Development Clinic, Faculty of Education Western University

Parents

Watch the video below first, then watch the video as a family!

 Tips:

  1.  Be aware of your own emotions (check in with how you are feeling).
  2. It is important to regulate emotions before engaging with your child’s emotions (use deep breathing or another relaxation strategy before trying to solve the problem).
  3. Validate your child’s emotions by recognizing what they are feeling and why. 
  4. Help them regulate their emotions before trying to solve the problem.
  5. Think of solutions with your child to get to an answer you can both agree on, this will lead to more success.