Emotional Regulation in the Classroom

Strong emotional regulation skills help students manage frustration, express themselves effectively, and stay focused in class. These skills are especially critical for students navigating anxiety, ADHD, trauma, or social challenges.

As a therapist, I teach children and teens tools that they can carry with them beyond the therapy room — into classrooms, peer interactions, and everyday life.

Key emotional regulation strategies students benefit from:

• Name the feeling – developing emotional vocabulary

• Breathe and pause – learning calming techniques

• Use coping tools – like drawing, movement, or sensory objects

How teachers can reinforce these skills:

• Create calm-down corners in the classroom

• Use emotional check-ins as part of the daily routine

• Model self-regulation in real time ("I feel frustrated, so I’m going to take a breath before we continue")

Therapy offers additional support by:

• Personalizing regulation strategies for each student’s needs

• Teaching mindfulness and grounding skills

• Helping students feel empowered and in control of their emotions

Want to learn more? I offer professional development workshops and 1:1 support for students who may benefit from therapy.

Let’s equip every student with the emotional tools they need to succeed.