Supporting Emotional Regulation in Children (Kindergarten to Grade 5)
In the early years, children are learning not only how to read and write — but also how to name and manage emotions. Moments of frustration, tears, or “meltdowns” are not signs of failure; they’re signs of growth. When children feel safe to express their emotions and are guided calmly through them, they develop self-awareness, confidence, and resilience that last a lifetime.
Understanding Emotional Regulation
Emotional regulation means helping your child notice, name, and manage their feelings in healthy ways. Children learn this through connection first, correction second. Before teaching a coping skill, make sure your child feels seen and safe. Try saying: “It looks like your body is having a big feeling right now. I’m here with you.”
Simple Strategies for Home
- Name It to Tame It: Give feelings simple, clear words — mad, sad, scared, frustrated, excited.
- Co-Regulate Before You Expect Self-Regulation: Your calm tone and slow breathing teach calm.
- Build a Feelings Routine: Ask 'What made you smile today?' and 'What made your heart feel heavy?'
- Create a Calm Corner: A cozy spot with toys, books, or colouring tools helps children reset.
- Use Visual Tools: Emotion charts or colour zones help identify feelings before solving problems.
- Model Emotional Honesty: Let your child see you take deep breaths or pause when frustrated.
When Big Feelings Take Over
If your child’s reactions feel intense or ongoing, know that you’re not alone. These are signs they may need extra support in learning regulation skills. Connect with your school’s social worker, counsellor, or wellbeing team. Emotional skills are teachable — not fixed traits.
Try This at Home
- The Balloon Breath: Imagine holding a balloon. Inhale through the nose, blow out gently to 'fill' it.
- Turtle Time: When overwhelmed, imagine being a turtle — pull in, take a breath, then come out ready to try again.
- Feelings Box: Keep drawings or cards of things that help when sad or angry (music, hugs, pets).
Parent Reflection Corner: Journal Prompts for Connection
- When my child has a big feeling, how do I usually react?
- What helps me stay calm when emotions rise — and what makes it harder?
- How do I show my child that all feelings are okay, but not all behaviours are?
- What helps my child feel safe and understood when they’re upset?
How can we make emotional check-ins a daily routine at home? Emotional regulation begins with a relationship. Your presence, patience, and warmth are the most powerful tools for helping your child grow through — not away from — their feelings.
Supporting Your Child Through Stress and School Transitions (Grades 6 to 12)
As students move through Middle and Senior School, stress naturally increases — new academic expectations, changing friendships, growing independence, and major decisions (like course selection and post-secondary planning) can all feel overwhelming. Our goal is not to remove stress entirely, but to help students build healthy coping skills and a sense of balance that will serve them for life.
Understanding Stress: What’s Normal
Some stress is motivating — it can help students stay focused and alert. But when stress feels constant or unmanageable, it can affect sleep, focus, and mood. Signs your child might be struggling include withdrawing from friends, having trouble sleeping, irritability, or avoiding schoolwork. Connect gently: “I’ve noticed you’ve been really tired lately — is something feeling heavy for you?”
Stress Management Strategies for Home
- Normalize the Conversation: Let your child know that stress is a normal part of growth.
- Share a time when you felt overwhelmed and how you managed it.
- Create a Calm Routine: Encourage sleep, breaks from screens, and daily movement.
- Prioritize, Don’t Perfectionize: Work with them to identify what’s essential this week versus what can wait.
- Use Visual Tools: Planners or digital calendars can help track due dates and reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed.
- Practice Grounding Together: Try deep breathing techniques to bring the body back to calm.
Supporting Course Selections and Academic Stress
Remind students that course choices are not permanent life paths. Explore their strengths and interests, use school resources, and balance academic rigour with wellbeing.
Parent Reflection Corner: Journal Prompts for Connection
- When my child is stressed, what emotions come up for me? How do I respond?
- What messages about success and failure did I learn growing up — and how might those influence how I support my child today?
- When was the last time I felt proud of how my child managed a challenge? What helped them succeed?
- What does calm look and feel like in our home? How can we make space for more of it?
- What’s one small routine I can introduce this week to lower stress for all of us?
Adolescence is full of growth and change — and with your steady support, students can learn that stress doesn’t have to control them. It can be a teacher, guiding them toward resilience, balance, and self-understanding.
Contributed by: Student Success Department