How to support young children with emotional regulation

Top 5 takeaways

• Self-regulation is a critical part of child development. Without it, children won’t be able to understand their emotions or begin to develop the tools they need to be lifelong learners.
• The outdated process of formal behaviour management is at the heart of many Early Years policies. Mine and Ursula suggest that this process does not place the proper emphasis on children’s wellbeing that it deserves.
• It’s your job as a Co-Regulator to help children on their self-regulation journey. Naming, validating and understanding their emotions and behaviour is absolutely vital, as you can’t expect a child to self-regulate without a helping hand.
• Creating a self-regulation space is crucial. Children need a safe, quiet place to process their emotions in order to begin self-regulating.
• You should be reflective about the current practices that you use in your setting. You know your setting and children the best, and should focus on their wellbeing first.