Supporting Emotional Regulation in the Setting
Young children cannot regulate their emotions alone — they need a calm adult nearby who can co-regulate with them. This workshop gives educators practical, in-the-moment tools: visuals, sensory supports and simple scripts that help a child move from overwhelm back to calm, without relying on time-out or distraction alone.
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
For early years educators and room leaders looking for practical co-regulation tools to use during meltdowns, transitions and overwhelm.
What we cover in the hour
- What co-regulation is and why children cannot self-regulate without adult support first.
- Reading early warning signs of dysregulation before a full meltdown occurs.
- Using visual emotion cards and traffic-light style tools effectively.
- Simple sensory tools (weighted items, breathing props, movement breaks) suited to a group setting.
- How to stay regulated yourself as the adult in the room.
- Rebuilding connection with a child after a big emotional moment has passed.
What you'll leave with
- A set of co-regulation scripts for common scenarios.
- Guidance on choosing sensory tools appropriate for your group size.
- A visual emotions chart template.
- A simple self-check for staying regulated yourself under pressure.
- A repair conversation structure for after a meltdown.
Inside the booklet
The booklet includes printable emotion visuals, a co-regulation script sheet and a sensory tool shopping guide suited to setting budgets.
This workshop supports the Aistear theme of Wellbeing and Síolta Standard 9, Health and Welfare, which asks settings to support children's emotional as well as physical wellbeing.
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
- What is the difference between co-regulation and just calming a child down?
- Co-regulation is about the adult staying calm and connected first, so the child can borrow that calm rather than being told to 'calm down' from a distance. It is a relationship, not a technique used at a child.
- Are the sensory tools suggested expensive or hard to source?
- No, most can be made or bought cheaply, and several use materials settings already have. The booklet includes a budget-friendly shopping guide.
- Will this help with a child who has frequent, intense meltdowns?
- The tools here support any child learning to regulate, but frequent, intense meltdowns may also need input from other professionals. This workshop gives you practical strategies while remaining within an educator's role.
- Can one adult really stay calm during a group meltdown moment?
- It takes practice, and the session includes a short self-check tool for exactly this, because your own regulation is the foundation everything else is built on.
- Is this suitable for both indoor and outdoor settings?
- Yes, the strategies are adaptable to whichever space you are in, and several of the sensory tools work particularly well outdoors.
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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