- Name Your Feelings
Help children identify and express their emotions by using mirrors to explore facial expressions and discussing what different feelings look like. This builds emotional intelligence and awareness. - Separate “I Am” from “I Feel”
Encourage children to say “I feel angry” instead of “I am angry,” reminding them that emotions are temporary and don’t define who they are. - Use Makaton
Makaton sign language helps children express emotions. Even for those who usually have a good vocabulary, in moments of emotional distress and dysregulation, children can struggle to express themselves. This supports both emotional and verbal communication, when children don’t have or cant find the words. - Read Books About Emotions
Explore stories like The Colour Monster and The Lion Inside, using story props and puppets to dive deeper into characters’ feelings and situations. - Calm Down Bottles & Basket
Provide sensory bottles or a calming basket with emotion books, fidget toys, and other calming resources to help children de-escalate when feeling overwhelmed. - Practice Dragon Breaths
Teach mindful breathing with fun techniques like “Dragon Breaths” (deep breaths) or “Smell the Flowers, Blow Out the Candles” to calm the body and mind. - Mindful Body Scan
Encourage children to relax by tensing and releasing different body parts, helping them become more aware of their body and emotions. - Daily Yoga
Incorporate simple yoga poses to release pent-up emotions, reduce stress and boost emotional resilience. - Music & Movement
Use songs and physical activities (like jumping or running) to help children release energy and regulate their emotions in a fun, active way. - Cooperative Games
Promote self-regulation through games that encourage patience, turn-taking and impulse control – great for developing social-emotional skills. - Sensory Play
Offer a variety of sensory activities, from messy play to sensory tents, to help children connect with their bodies and explore emotions through their senses. - Imaginative Play
Encourage pretend play, allowing children to act out real-life scenarios and explore different emotions, which helps build empathy and emotional understanding. - Singing
Use songs to help children express and regulate their emotions. (Bonus – Singing also supports language development and memory). - The Power of Play
All types of play – whether physical, imaginative, or symbolic – are essential in building early self-regulation skills and supporting expression. Through play, children practice planning, problem-solving and emotional control.
Supporting emotional regulation in children is a continuous, nurturing process that builds over time. By offering simple, effective strategies like these, we can help children develop the tools they need to understand and manage their feelings in healthy ways. Whether it’s through play, breathing exercises, or expressive activities, every moment is an opportunity to guide them towards emotional resilience.
For more tips and ideas on fostering emotional growth, be sure to keep an eye on our other resources in the Top Tips category. Together, we can help our little ones grow into confident, self-aware individuals.
Guiding The Young Ones 
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