How Occupational Therapy Supports Emotional Regulation
Big feelings are a natural part of childhood—but for some kids, those feelings can come fast and fierce, leaving everyone overwhelmed. One moment things are calm, and the next, your child is melting down over the wrong-colored cup or refusing to put on shoes. You’re left wondering: Why is this so hard?
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and occupational therapy might be able to help in ways you didn’t expect.
While many people think of occupational therapy (OT) as just helping with handwriting or fine motor skills, it can also play a powerful role in supporting emotional regulation: the ability to understand, manage, and respond to feelings in a way that works for each child.
Let’s take a closer look at what emotional regulation is, why some kids struggle with it, and how OT can offer support filled with compassion and understanding.
What Is Emotional Regulation, Really?
Emotional regulation is the ability to recognize what you’re feeling, understand why you’re feeling it, and respond in a way that’s helpful rather than overwhelming. It’s not about never having big emotions—it’s about learning how to move through them safely.
For young children (and many older ones too), this is a developing skill—not something they’re born knowing how to do.
Think of it this way: when your child is tired, overstimulated, hungry, or overwhelmed, their brain might go into “survival mode.” That’s when emotions can take over, and logical thinking flies out the window.
Emotional regulation helps bring them back to a place of calm—but they often need help learning how to do that.
Why Some Kids Struggle
Some children have a harder time with emotional regulation because of differences in how they process sensory information, how their nervous systems respond to stress, or how they communicate their needs. For example:
- A child who is sensitive to noise might melt down in a loud classroom
- A child with limited language skills might hit when they can’t express frustration
- A child who craves movement might become dysregulated when asked to sit still too long
These aren’t “bad behaviors.” They’re signs of a nervous system asking for help.
And that’s where OT comes in.
How Occupational Therapy Helps
Occupational therapists look at the whole child—their environment, sensory needs, emotional state, and daily routines. OT doesn’t just focus on what’s happening on the outside (like a tantrum or refusal); it looks at what’s happening underneath.
Here’s how OT supports emotional regulation in meaningful ways:
Understanding Sensory Needs
Many emotional regulation challenges are rooted in sensory processing. OTs help identify whether a child is overstimulated, under-stimulated, or having trouble filtering sensations—and they create strategies that support balance.
This might include:
- Movement breaks during the day
- Deep pressure activities for calming
- Fidget tools or noise-canceling headphones
- Adjustments to lighting or clothing
When a child’s sensory system feels supported, everything else becomes more manageable.
Teaching Coping Strategies
OT sessions often include playful, engaging ways to help children recognize and respond to big feelings. Through activities, kids can learn:
- How to take deep breaths
- What helps their body feel calm
- How to use a “cozy corner” or calming space
- How to notice what’s happening in their body before a meltdown
These tools become part of the child’s toolbox—something they can reach for in tough moments.
Building Body Awareness and Self-Regulation
OT helps kids tune into how their body feels and what they can do to meet their needs. Whether it’s swinging to reset, squeezing putty for grounding, or taking a quiet break, these skills are practiced in a safe, supportive environment so they can be used at home, school, and beyond.
Supporting Caregivers, Too
Just as importantly, OTs work closely with parents and caregivers—because emotional regulation isn’t just a child’s job. It takes co-regulation, patience, and shared strategies to build that bridge together.
You’ll learn how to spot signs of dysregulation early, how to respond in supportive ways, and how to create an environment that truly feels safe and predictable.
It’s Not About Fixing—It’s About Supporting
Every child has feelings. Every child deserves support. Occupational therapy doesn’t aim to get rid of big emotions—it helps children navigate them with more confidence and ease.
Over time, with gentle guidance, many children develop more awareness, more tools, and more resilience. And as that happens, you’ll begin to see not only fewer meltdowns—but more joy, more confidence, and more connection.
That’s the heart of OT: helping children feel safe in their own bodies and steady in the world around them.
Because every child deserves to feel understood.
And every family deserves to feel supported.
