What is Emotional Regulation?
- Beth Dominique
- Mar 10
- 1 min read
Emotional regulation is the ability to manage feelings in a given situation. Children begin to learn how to regulate their emotions in toddlerhood and typically become more skilled by age 5 and is usually well-established by age 8 or 9.
Some signs that a child might be having trouble with emotional regulation include: Difficulty making friends, frequent disruptions in class, meltdowns that affect their daily routine, and difficulty handling frustration.
Developing social skills: expressing their emotions appropriately, understanding social cues, and interacting with others effectively.
Using sensory strategies
Modifying environments, tasks, and routines.
Increase awareness: learn to identify their emotions and how to respond to them.
Addressing underlying factors that impact their ability to self-regulate, and then create an individualized plan to address those factors.
How can OT help?
OT's can help by teaching strategies and addressing underlying factors that contribute to emotional challenges:
Developing social skills: expressing their emotions appropriately, understanding social cues, and interacting with others effectively.
Using sensory strategies
Modifying environments, tasks, and routines.
Increase awareness: learn to identify their emotions and how to respond to them.
Addressing underlying factors that impact their ability to self-regulate, and then create an individualized plan to address those factors.
Comments