Managing a child’s behavior can be a daily challenge for parents, especially when those behaviors seem out of control or unpredictable. But did you know occupational therapy can help? We work with kids to develop the skills they need to handle frustration, stay focused, and respond to stress in healthier ways.

Today, we’re going to cover what emotional and behavioral self-regulation is, signs that your child struggles with these skills, and how our occupational therapists can help. Plus, we’ll give you some expert tips to help your child self-regulate better at home.

What Is Self-Regulation?

Self-regulation is the ability to manage your feelings and control your behavior in an appropriate way. It’s an important skill that most people develop as children and continue to build as we get older.

For example, children can lash out when they get angry by screaming, hitting, or having a meltdown. Adults usually learn how to manage big feelings like anger and take steps to calm themselves down, like deep breathing or walking away to cool off. This is self-regulation, and it’s an important part of acceptable behavior in society.

Common Signs of Self-Regulation Challenges in Children

Signs that a child struggles with self-regulation include:

  • Having frequent emotional outbursts, such as crying, screaming, or throwing things.
  • Taking a long time to calm down after emotional upsets or transitions.
  • Acting impulsively without thinking about the consequences.
  • Struggling to wait their turn or being impatient.
  • Getting easily distracted or struggling to focus on tasks.
  • Constantly fidgeting or moving around.
  • Withdrawing from others or appearing to “zone out” when overwhelmed.
  • Getting easily overwhelmed by difficult tasks or challenges and giving up quickly.
  • Avoiding situations where they might fail or become upset.
  • Getting anxious or upset when moving from one activity to another.
  • Arguing or being defiant, especially when they feel stressed or frustrated.
  • Struggling to make friends or behave appropriately in social situations.

How Occupational Therapists Help Children Build Self-Regulation Skills

Occupational therapists help children build self-regulation skills in a hands-on, supportive way. We give children practical skills to manage their emotions, behavior, and sensory needs in everyday life. We do this through: 

  • Sensory Integration Therapy: We identify sensory triggers that overwhelm your child and teach them practical ways to handle sensations, like noise or touch, through fun and engaging activities.
  • Emotional Awareness: We help children recognize their emotions and understand how different situations affect their feelings. 
  • Healthy Coping Strategies: We introduce simple tools like deep breathing and mindfulness to help children manage frustration, anger, or anxiety, so they have strategies to calm down in the moment.
  • Social Skills Practice: Through role-playing and fun interactive activities, we teach kids how to manage their emotions with friends, take turns, share, and handle conflicts in positive ways.
  • Strengthening Executive Functioning: We break down tasks into simple steps, helping children improve planning, organization, and impulse control, so they can regulate their behavior and complete tasks more easily.

Tips for Parents to Help Your Child with Self-Regulation at Home

Here are some things you can do at home to help your child manage their behavior, and to stay calm when things get a bit hectic:

  • Establish clear routines: Create a daily schedule so your child knows what to expect, which can reduce anxiety and improve behavior. Routines provide structure and help children feel more secure.
  • Use positive reinforcement: Praise and reward your child for good behavior. Focus on catching them doing things right, which encourages them to repeat positive actions.
  • Offer choices: Give your child simple choices to give them a sense of control. For example, “Would you like to do your homework now or after dinner?”
  • Stay calm during outbursts: When your child’s behavior is out of control, take a deep breath and stay calm. Speak in a soft voice, which can help your child calm down faster.
  • Model appropriate behavior: Show your child how to handle emotions by modeling calm and respectful responses. Children learn by watching how you react to stress.
  • Offer breaks when needed: If you notice your child is becoming overwhelmed, suggest a break. A few minutes of quiet time or a change of activity can help prevent a meltdown.
  • Encourage movement and physical activity: Regular movement helps children manage their energy and emotions. Encourage play, outdoor time, or activities that allow them to burn off excess energy.
  • Use calming techniques for yourself: When your child’s behavior becomes overwhelming, it’s important for you to stay grounded. Take deep breaths, step away for a moment if needed, or use calming exercises to manage your own stress.

Reach Out to Let’s Communicate

If your child struggles to manage their behavior or emotions, Let’s Communicate can help. Reach out to us at (678) 963-0694 to schedule an evaluation with our occupational therapy team today.