Self-Regulation – Tips for teaching your child to remain in a calm state and maintain body control

Self-regulation is learned through everyday activities and interactions, helping young children manage their thinking, behavior, and emotions. Children who practice intentional self-regulation can learn more easily.

To help your child stay calm and alert, establish predictable routines, especially for sleep, feeding, and toileting. This helps children anticipate what's next and encourages participation.

Parents can aid self-regulation through co-regulation by remaining calm. Understanding your child's sensory preferences, such as a need for movement, and integrating them into daily routines can also help maintain regulation.

Clearly explain expectations and talk to your child before new events. Use pretend play to help them understand and cope with new or potentially frightening situations, like a doctor's visit.

Help your child identify their feelings by using language to acknowledge their emotions (e.g., "You are scared of the needle."). Offer choices to give them a sense of control, for example, with snacks or toys.

Play is crucial for learning self-regulation, teaching children to wait and take turns, such as during a game of rolling a ball. Play also develops body awareness and motor skills.

Body awareness is a child's understanding of their position in space. Some children may appear clumsy without good body awareness. Play helps children develop various motor movements like crawling, walking, running, kicking, and throwing.