How to help your child deal with stress and emotions
Self-regulation is the ability to cope with daily ups and downs, big or small, good or bad. This skill is more complex than getting in control of our negative emotions (self-control). Self-regulation is about identifying, reducing and dealing with stressors. Your child will become skilled at self-regulation with your support, time and experiences.
How you can reduce your child's stress and help them learn self-regulation:
- Help your child to decrease their stress. Help them get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, be physically active and have less screen time.
- Assist your child to learn what it means to feel calm and focused. Children between 4 and 9 years old may find Mindmasters 2 helpful.
- Help your child to understand the difference between their own needs and the needs of others.
- Support your child to find activities or hobbies they enjoy. Sports, playing musical instruments, martial arts or yoga can help children to learn self-regulation.
- Be a role model. Show your child how you stay calm and alert when you deal with difficult events.
Do you have more questions about parenting?
- Speak with a Public Health Nurse. Call the Ottawa Public Health Info Centre at 613-PARENTS [613-727-3687] (TTY: 613-580-9656) or email Ottawa Public Health at ParentinginOttawa@ottawa.ca
- Connect with a Public Health Nurse and other parents on the Parenting in Ottawa Facebook page
- There are a variety of services to make it easier for your child to grow up healthy in Ottawa
Contact Us