As parents, we want to set our children up for success to overcome life’s challenges. However, it’s not uncommon for children to struggle with emotional regulation. Emotional dysregulation occurs when a child has difficulty managing their emotions healthily and productively. This can appear as temper tantrums, crying, or even shutting down emotionally. We’ll discuss common triggers for emotional dysregulation and give some practical tips for how to help children regulate their emotions. Take our brief emotional dysregulation test for kids below!
Table of Contents
Common Triggers for Emotional Dysregulation in Children
- Overstimulation: Children can become overstimulated by loud noises, bright lights, or chaotic environments. This makes it hard for them to regulate their emotions.
- Transitions: Transitions can be difficult for children, especially if they move from a preferred activity to something less desirable.
- Frustration: When children encounter obstacles or challenges, they may become frustrated and have difficulty regulating their emotions.
- Hunger or tiredness: Just like adults, children can become emotional when hungry or tired.
Overcoming Emotional Dysregulation
Physical Activities to Release Pent-Up Energy
One effective way to help children regulate their emotions is to provide opportunities for physical activity. When children have pent-up energy, physical activity can help them healthily release that energy. Here are some examples of physical activities that can help children regulate their emotions:
- Jumping on a trampoline is a fun way for kids to release pent-up energy.
- Running around outside, playing tag, or engaging in other physical activities can help children burn off energy and regulate their emotions.
- Yoga can help children learn to regulate their emotions by promoting mindfulness and relaxation.
- Dancing is a fun way for children to release pent-up energy and express themselves creatively.
The Importance of Mindfulness Activities
Did you take our emotional dysregulation test for kids? Mindfulness activities can be helpful for children who struggle with emotional dysregulation. They involve paying attention to how you feel in the present moment without judging your feelings. By practicing mindfulness, children can become more aware of their emotions and learn to manage them more effectively. Here are some examples of mindfulness activities that can be helpful for children:
- Mindful breathing: Encourage your child to take deep breaths and focus on breathing in and out.
- Body scan: Have your child lie down and focus on each part of their body, starting with their toes and moving up to their head.
- Mindful listening: Ask your child to listen to a sound and focus on the details of that sound, such as the pitch, volume, and duration.
Taking Kids Out of Overstimulating Environments
If your child becomes dysregulated in a particular environment, taking them out of that environment can be helpful. For example, if your child becomes overwhelmed in a busy store, you can take them outside or to a quieter area to help them calm down. If your child becomes dysregulated at a crowded playground, take them to a quieter park or play area.
Overcoming Emotional Dysregulation | Helping Kids Understand Their Emotions
Help your kiddo overcome emotional dysregulation by talking to them about their feelings. Have you taken our emotional dysregulation test for kids? By understanding how their child is feeling, parents can help their child find ways to regulate their emotions. Here are some tips for talking to kids about their emotions:
- Use open-ended questions: Instead of asking yes or no questions, ask your child open-ended questions encouraging them to talk about their emotions.
- Be empathetic: Let your child know that you understand their feelings and that their emotions are valid.
- Validate their feelings: It’s important to let your child know that it’s okay to feel a certain way and that their feelings are normal and understandable. Let them know that you’re there to support them and help them find ways to manage their emotions.
- Use age-appropriate language: Use language that your child can understand, and avoid using complex or abstract terms that may confuse them.
- Encourage them to express themselves: Let your child know that it’s okay to express their emotions, whether it’s through words, art, or other creative means.
- Reflect back on what they’re saying: When your child talks about their emotions, repeat back what they’re saying to show that you’re listening and to help them clarify their feelings.
- Help them identify their emotions: Encourage your child to label their emotions and help them identify how they’re feeling. This can help them become more aware of their emotions and better manage them.
- Encourage problem-solving: Once your child has identified their emotions, encourage them to think of ways to manage or cope. For example, suppose they’re feeling angry. In that case, they may want to take a break or engage in calming activities like coloring or deep breathing.
Goally | Kid’s Tablet for Supporting Emotional Regulation
Is your child struggling with understanding and managing their emotions? Goally’s skill building kid’s tablet includes a Mood Tuner app that teaches emotional regulation skills in a fun and interactive way!
The Mood Tuner app encourages kids to identify their feelings and participate in exercises specifically designed to self-regulate. Pax the Penguin helps kids understand their emotions and find ways to calm themselves before a meltdown happens.
Try Goally’s dedicated skill-building tablet (which ONLY shows Goally apps) for $149, ensuring your child stays focused on their emotional growth journey.
By talking to your child about emotional dysregulation and helping them develop strategies to manage emotions, you can help them learn to regulate their emotions more effectively. Remember to be patient and supportive, as it can take time for children to learn these skills. With your help and guidance, your child can learn to manage their emotions and thrive emotionally.
This post was originally published on 02/27/2023. It was updated on 06/16/2023.
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