Calm Adults, Calm Children
Children take their emotional cues from the adults around them, which means our own regulation matters just as much as theirs. This workshop explores how stress and reactivity in adults show up in children's behaviour, and offers practical ways to stay grounded during difficult moments. You will leave with realistic strategies for your own calm, plus a take-home booklet to support you going forward.
Led by Amy Byrne — BA (Hons) Level 8 in Early Childhood Education and Care, currently studying a Level 9 postgraduate in play therapy, Children First trained and a Mandated Person. One hour, with a take-home booklet and a dated certificate of attendance.
Who this is for
Suitable for parents feeling stretched by daily demands, and for early years educators managing their own stress across a busy room or setting.
What we cover in the hour
- What co-regulation is and why adult calm comes before child calm.
- Common personal triggers that make challenging moments harder to manage.
- Quick, discreet strategies for regulating yourself in front of children.
- The impact of tone of voice and body language on a child's state.
- Realistic ways to reset after a difficult moment with a child.
- Building small daily habits that support your own regulation over time.
What you'll leave with
- An understanding of co-regulation and why it starts with the adult.
- Quick strategies to use discreetly in stressful moments.
- Awareness of your own personal triggers with children.
- Simple ways to reset after a hard moment without guilt.
- A take-home booklet with adult self-regulation strategies.
Inside the booklet
The booklet includes quick regulation techniques, a trigger reflection sheet, and ideas for building calming habits into a busy day.
This workshop is grounded in Aistear's Well-being theme and Síolta's Standard on the professional practice of adults supporting children.
How it can be delivered
| Format | Price |
|---|---|
| Public ticket — live onlineOne hour, small group, booklet emailed | €20 per person |
| Public ticket — in personOne hour in a venue near you, booklet in hand | €35 per person |
| Private 1:1 with Amy30 minutes €25 · full hour €50 (3 for €135) | from €25 |
| Private group — onlineParent evening or staff session, minimum 5 | €35 per person |
| Private group — in personYour setting or venue, minimum 6 | €45 per person |
No VAT and no booking fees. An itemised receipt is emailed instantly, and invoices are available before you book. Running this across a whole setting? Setting packages start at €399.
Common questions
- Is this a session about my own mental health?
- This workshop focuses on practical self-regulation strategies in the context of caring for children, rather than personal mental health support. Amy is not a qualified therapist, and the session is educational rather than therapeutic in nature.
- What if I lose my temper with children sometimes?
- This is a common experience and is discussed honestly during the session, with practical strategies for reducing how often it happens and how to repair the moment afterwards without unnecessary guilt.
- Can this be delivered as a staff wellbeing session?
- Yes, it works well for teams looking to build a shared, calmer approach to managing stressful moments across a room or setting.
- Will this help with my own anxiety around parenting?
- The session offers practical tools for staying calm in the moment, though it is educational rather than a substitute for individual support if anxiety is a significant concern.
- Is this suitable for new parents?
- Yes, the strategies are straightforward and suit parents at any stage, including those newer to caring for young children.
Related workshops
- Understanding Big Feelings in Young ChildrenWhy children become emotionally overwhelmed, what their behaviour communicates, and responding with calm, connection and consistency.
- Helping Children Manage Tantrums and MeltdownsTantrums vs meltdowns, common triggers, co-regulation strategies and responses that may unintentionally escalate distress.
- Building Emotional Regulation Through PlaySensory activities, movement, breathing, stories and imaginative play to strengthen regulation in everyday family life.
- TopicEmotional regulationWorkshops on emotional regulationExplore
- WorkshopUnderstanding Big Feelings in Young ChildrenWhy children become emotionally overwhelmed, what their behaviour communicates, and responding with calm, connection and consistency.Explore
- WorkshopHelping Children Manage Tantrums and MeltdownsTantrums vs meltdowns, common triggers, co-regulation strategies and responses that may unintentionally escalate distress.Explore
- WorkshopBuilding Emotional Regulation Through PlaySensory activities, movement, breathing, stories and imaginative play to strengthen regulation in everyday family life.Explore
- CourseBig Feelings: Calm Responses to Toddler TantrumsA short, practical course on why tantrums happen, what a child's brain can and cannot do mid-meltdown, and a repeatable way to respond that protects both the limit and the relationship.Explore
- BlogHow to handle toddler tantrums calmly (without giving in)When tantrums start, why they happen, what to do in the middle of one, and what actually reduces them over time — for 2, 3, 4 and 5 year olds.Explore
More in this theme: Emotional regulation · All workshop themes · Upcoming dates
Available live online across Ireland, and in person in Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Louth, Cork and other counties.
Trusted early years resources
Every workshop is grounded in Irish early years frameworks and national guidance.
- Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework (NCCA)
- Síolta: the National Quality Framework
- Children First national guidance (Tusla)
- First 5: Ireland's strategy for babies & young children
- Early Childhood Ireland
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