Before we can successfully self-regulate and confidently manage our own emotions, we need someone to help us co-regulate.
Co-regulation is when an emotionally available, regulated individual supports another person to regulate their emotions. This can be done in many different ways, such as talking gently in a soothing tone, stroking someone’s arm, or breathing slowly and deeply with them.
This handy poster, split into 4 key areas, suggests simple and practical strategies to try, to support co-regulation with individuals in your setting. These are universal, so can easily be adapted for use with children, young people or adults.