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Category: Emotional Regulation

Big feelings are part of childhood, and kids borrow our calm. This blog collection gives parents and carers therapist-written guidance to make emotional regulation doable in everyday life. Explore simple co-regulation techniques, ways to name and normalise feelings, predictable routines that ease transitions, and gentle strategies for meltdowns and overwhelm (at home and at school). You’ll also find sensory-friendly ideas, and tips on building your child’s toolkit – breathing, movement, play and problem-solving – along with clear signposts for when extra support might help. Need to speak to an expert about emotional regulation? Online parent support is available.

Happy family leaving for holiday

Neurodiversity and Family Trips

Days out or travel when you have a neurodivergent child can be a challenge. Some parents feel a sense of fear when they leave the familiarity of home to travel or visit somewhere new. The dysregulation can make what should be an enjoyable experience a disappointment for all involved and tarnish future attempts to make family memories. Read our tips to help with holiday dysregulation. A parent in a recent parent consultation said: “We’ve gone too much one way and don’t do things or take him places for fear of meltdowns and wishing we’d stayed at home.” This quote from […]… Read more.

Happy family running on the beach

Should I Seek a Diagnosis for my Child?

We spoke to some of our families about seeking a diagnosis for neurodevelopmental conditions (such as ASC and ADHD) and asked them whether they feel it has been beneficial for their child…. Read more.

Mum hugging teenage daughter

Entering the Teens with ASC (Autistic Spectrum Condition)

Parents are often anxious about the way in which the physical and hormonal changes of adolescence will affect their child as they head into their teens. Factor Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) into the equation, and the picture can become more complex. How might normal acts of teenage rebellion look for a child who struggles with behavioural control? Navigating complex social dynamics at this age is always fraught with intensity, but will it be more of a challenge for a neurodiverse child?… Read more.

Child hanging upside down balancing on a ball

I Think My Child Has ADHD

With about 15% of the global population thought to be neurodivergent, it’s no surprise that huge numbers of parents are seeking diagnosis or looking for the best way to support their child’s unique way of being in the world. Here we focus on children with ADHD with tips for supporting healthy behaviours. In our next blog on ADHD we will focus on 5 parenting strategies that are particularly important for children with ADHD…. Read more.

A child leaving the house with mum for the first day of school

Starting School: Our Preparation Guide

It’s natural to want to build up excitement about your child’s first day at school and it’s an important milestone that’s worth celebrating. For many families that hopeful photo of their first day of school is treasured into adulthood. If your child is about to make the transition from nursery to school read our preparation guide for starting school…. Read more.

A child therapist helping a child through play therapy

How (and When) to Find a Therapist for Your Child

If it’s not your industry, finding a therapist (or counsellor) for your child can be a confusing and sometimes stressful business. Given that you may well be seeking a counsellor because you are feeling anxious anyway, making sense of the many different kinds of therapist qualifications, registering bodies and the huge variation in fees can be overwhelming. If you do think you’ve found just the right therapist, they may have long waiting lists or live miles away. Here we aim to make the process easier by giving some information on qualifications, approved databases and what Child in Time can do to help…. Read more.

Mum reading to children

Why do we Read Books to Children?

We are constantly told that reading to young children is a good thing, usually in terms of learning to read, expanding vocabulary and getting ahead educationally. But the truth is that books do so much more. During challenging times there can be nothing more comforting than a book that resonates, enlightens or just seems to understand…. Read more.

A child worrying and suffering with anxiety clutches her teddy

Helping Children Cope With Anxiety

Many children experience anxiety.  It may be in relation to a particular area of their lives such as school work or friendships, or it may be a generalised feeling of unease or worry that surfaces regularly. We’ve outlined strategies to help cope with anxiety…. Read more.

Playing with your child to help with attachment and emotional regulation

Play for Attachment & Emotional Regulation

Engaging in child-led, one-to-one play on a regular basis is a key element of building attachment and supporting children’s development. This type of play is something that parents do naturally with pre verbal and very young children but do so less with older ages, however it continues to be hugely beneficial and a great tool for addressing a wide range of relational and behavioural concerns…. Read more.

A child feeling angry throwing their toy. Emotional regulation

Helping Children Cope with Angry Feelings

Feeling angry is a completely normal and healthy response to countless situations. It might be a reaction to being verbally or physically hurt, a response to a decision that feels unfair or a natural reaction to distressing situations in the wider world. As we get older, we learn to manage our angry reactions so that they don’t negatively impact our own lives or the lives of others. But children are not yet equipped to regulate this intense emotion and they need our help…. Read more.

Testimonials

I have really noticed a difference at home, since starting her sessions, she seems
better within herself.

Parent

Therapy gave me a space to think about my insecurities, the times when I overthink, and my friendship issues.

Student

She is no longer upset in the mornings or in class. While she’s still not comfortable answering questions in a big group, she participates in lessons and does well. She will occasionally contribute in class and can ask for help when she needs it.

Teacher

It was good to share my feelings with someone whose job is to listen and understand someone’s feelings. It’s a fun place to be creative.

Student

My daughter really enjoys going to see you and looks forward to her weekly sessions. I don’t hear too much about them as I think it is important to her that they are private. She does however, want to recreate the activities at home. I have really appreciated you taking the time to communicate with me and keep me up to date on my daughter’s progress.

Parent

We feel that his attainment and emotional regulation have improved. His Dad spoke very highly of the experience that he had with you and thanked us for the referral to you.

Teacher

My son has settled in very well, has started being more confident and more comfortable speaking up. I believe the sessions with Magda have been an important part of this. I appreciate the termly face-to-face updates that Magda has provided to follow my son’s progress.

Parent

Child in Time is a wonderful organisation. Child in Time provide therapists in my current primary school and we have found the experience to be hugely supportive. The way the therapists are able to support pupils, staff and families is invaluable. I would unreservedly recommend Child in Time to anyone.

Teacher

Karen was wonderful. It’s such a helpful service – our daughter is on the spectrum, so spending an hour talking about the impact on us was truly restorative.

Parent

Empathetic, professional, knowledgeable, personable counselling. Highly recommended on all fronts.

Parent

This was a massive help to me as a parent of a child with recently diagnosed ADHD and autism. The therapist was so easy to talk to. Talking through my concerns and my son’s behaviour, has definitely made a difference to both my understanding and how to help him regulate his emotions better. I’ll definitely be booking again.

Parent