Every parent has had one of those days. The dinner’s half-burnt and the kids are bickering. So, you take a deep breath and make yourself a cup of tea to reset. What you might not realise is that you’ve just practised emotional regulation. That is, the ability to recognise and manage your emotions in a safe way.
Emotional regulation is just like any skill, it takes practice, and it's normal to need support. Think about those times you need to vent about your day, so you call your friend. We call that co-regulation. With your child, co-regulation would look like you talking about what their body feels like, naming the emotion, and helping them do a safe strategy to feel better.
All children need co-regulation, but other children will need more support. Some children, especially those living with autism spectrum disorder, might find it harder to notice or name their emotions. Using a visual model, like the ‘Zones of Regulation’, can help children to understand their body feelings, identify their emotions, and choose a safe strategy to regulate their emotions.