EP 42 | Supporting Emotional Regulation (It's More Than Just ‘Calming Down’)

Regulated doesn’t always mean calm.

If you’re guiding children through big feelings with nothing but deep breaths and “use your words,” this episode will change everything. In Part 2 of my Big Feelings 101 mini-series, we go deeper into what emotional regulation really is (and isn’t), the integral role of co-regulation, and the often-misunderstood difference between regulation and coping.

You'll hear:

🧠 Why emotional regulation isn’t the same as being quiet or compliant

🧠 The distinction between emotional regulation and self-regulation (and why it matters)

🧠 Real-life strategies to support regulation through naming, anchoring, and micro-moments

🧠 What happens in a child’s brain during emotional overload - and what they need from us

🧠 How to co-regulate without rescuing or fixing (and what repair looks like when we mess up)

If you’re someone who’s sick of shallow 'calm down' tips and wants to truly support children’s nervous systems and emotions with intention, this episode is for you.

Articles

Implications of Carolyn Saarni’s work for preschoolers’ emotional competence

Early childhood teachers as socializers of young children’s emotional competence

Early childhood teachers’ socialization of children’s emotional competence

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