Emotional Regulation Activities for Young Children

Emotional Regulation Activities for Young Children: Simple Tips Parents Can Use

Wonjo Editorial Team

December 11, 2025

Navigating a child’s big emotions can sometimes feel like a roller coaster—happy shrieks one moment, tears or tantrums the next. As parents, we all want to help our kids find calm and comfort, build healthy habits, and thrive socially. That’s why emotional regulation is such an important skill for young children, and it can be nurtured through simple, everyday activities right at home.

What is Emotional Regulation?

Emotional regulation is a child’s ability to understand, express, and manage their feelings in different situations. It means recognizing emotions like anger, sadness, or excitement and knowing how to respond in a way that feels safe and respectful to themselves and others. When children develop this skill, they’re better prepared to handle disappointments, communicate their needs, and build strong friendships.

3 Things You Should Do Before Beginning Emotional Regulation Activities

Before diving into activities, it helps to tune in and get ready as a parent:

Understand Your Child’s Emotional Regulation Style
Every child expresses and manages emotions differently. Pay attention to signs like how your child reacts when frustrated—do they withdraw, cry, or get physical? Observing helps you tailor activities and support in ways that fit your child’s unique needs.
Create a Safe and Supportive Environment
Kids open up best when they feel secure and loved. Make sure your home feels like a calm space free from harsh judgment. This safety net encourages your child to express feelings without fear.
Practice Patience and Consistency
Emotional regulation is a skill developed over time. Expect ups and downs, and celebrate small progress. Staying patient and consistent with your approach gives your child confidence to try again and grow.

Emotional Regulation Activities for Young Children

To make it easier for you to try these techniques at home, here’s a simple table outlining some effective emotional regulation activities, how to do them, and the key benefits each offers to your child’s emotional growth.

No	Activity	How to Do It	Key Benefits
1	Feelings Charades	Take turns acting out emotions like happy, angry, or sad. Use toys or family members to play along.	Helps children name and recognize different feelings.
2	Emotion Cards or Charts	Use cards with faces showing different emotions or create your own. Ask your child to pick cards reflecting their current mood.	Builds emotional vocabulary and self-awareness.
3	Model Calm Behavior	Verbally express your emotions and ways you calm down (e.g., deep breaths) when upset.	Teaches coping strategies through parent modeling.
4	Mindful Breathing	Practice “smell the flower, blow out the candle” breathing exercises together, especially during tense moments.	Reduces stress and helps kids gain control over emotions.
5	Calm Down Corner	Set up a cozy spot with pillows and soft toys where kids can retreat when overwhelmed.	Encourages self-soothing and emotional independence.
6	Role-Play Problem Solving	Use scenarios like sharing toys or losing a game to act out positive ways to handle frustration and think of solutions together.	Builds social skills and resilience for real-life challenges.
7	Follow Routines	Keep consistent daily schedules for meals, bedtime, and playtime.	Creates a sense of security that supports emotional control.

Benefits of Improving Emotional Regulation in Young Children

Helping your child develop emotional regulation brings wide-reaching benefits beyond just fewer tantrums:

Better Social Skills: Kids who manage emotions well can make and keep friends more easily.
Improved Focus: Emotional control helps children concentrate better in school and daily tasks.
Higher Self-Esteem: Children feel more confident as they master managing feelings and solving problems.
Stronger Family Connections: When emotions are understood and managed, family life becomes more peaceful and connected.

Supporting your child’s emotional regulation is not about perfection but about progress, patience, and lots of love. With these activities and tips, parents have a great toolkit to help young children navigate their feelings and grow into resilient, happy individuals.

Tips for Parents

Here are some practical and easy-to-follow tips for parents to support and guide their child’s emotional regulation journey with patience and kindness.

Model Calm Behavior: Kids learn by watching. Show them how you handle your own emotions with patience and kindness.
Validate Feelings: Let your child know it’s okay to feel sad, angry, or frustrated. Say things like, “I see you’re upset. That’s okay. Let’s figure out how to feel better together”.
Keep It Simple: Use age-appropriate language and activities. Focus on one skill at a time, like naming feelings or taking deep breaths.
Be Patient: Emotional regulation takes time. Celebrate small steps and keep practicing together.

For more detailed guidance and supportive strategies on helping your child develop strong emotional regulation skills, visit Empowering Your Child’s Emotion Regulation Skills page.

Final Words: Growing Together in Emotional Wisdom

Helping our children learn emotional regulation is one of the greatest gifts we can give them—and ourselves as parents. It’s a journey filled with ups and downs, discoveries, and moments of connection that deepen the bond between you and your little one. Remember, emotional regulation is not about achieving perfection but about progress—learning to understand, express, and manage feelings in healthy ways over time.

By creating a safe, supportive environment and practicing these simple activities with patience and love, you are building the foundation for your child’s lifelong emotional well-being. These skills will help them face challenges bravely, communicate with confidence, and grow into resilient, compassionate adults.

Every small step you take together counts. You’re not just teaching a skill; you’re nurturing a brighter, calmer, and happier future for your child. Keep going—you’re doing an amazing job!