Health & Wellbeing @ NLPS

Helping Children Learn Regulation

As mentioned in a previous newsletter our Year 2 families were lucky to hear from Elaine O’Connor, an Occupational Therapist and Play therapist. Elaine shared her expertise in helping children understand and manage their emotions, offering practical strategies for both home and school.

The notes below were taken from Elaine O’Connor’s presentation to Year 2 parents/carers around ‘Understanding and Managing Emotions’

Some key take-aways:

Our children need to know that emotions are safe to feel, yet not always safe to act on. Big feelings like anger, sadness, or worry are part of being human but behaviours that are harmful to themselves or others isn’t the answer.

We need to teach and show children that emotions are always safe to feel but not always safe to act on. With co-regulation, play, and the right support, children can learn safe, brave ways to express tricky emotions.

True connection grows when we as adults:

Acknowledge feelings without judgement
Validate the message behind the emotion
Set clear boundaries around unsafe behaviours
Offer calm presence and co-regulation

Children aren’t born knowing how to manage emotions; it’s something they learn with the help of calm, steady adults. This is called co-regulation.

Your calm is their anchor.
It’s not about fixing their feelings but being present with them.
Like learning to read, regulation takes practice and guidance.

Parent Tips:

Be warm and responsive: listen and comfort.
Keep routines predictable with clear boundaries.
Model calm: let your child see how you handle frustration.
Talk through feelings and celebrate progress.

Try this: If your child spills something, pause and say: “Accidents happen. I’m feeling frustrated, but let’s clean it up together.”

Why Emotional Awareness Matters

When feelings are ignored, they don’t disappear—they show up later as worry, anger, or withdrawal.

Emotional awareness is a strength.
Feelings are like waves—they come and go.
“When little people are overwhelmed by big emotions, it’s our job to share our calm, not join their chaos.” – L.R. Knost

Understanding Triggers

Outbursts often have hidden causes, not just “bad behaviour”:

Stress: tiredness, loud noise, or changes in routine.
Sensory: bright lights, strong smells, or itchy clothing.
Internal signals: hunger, thirst, or a racing heart.

Spotting triggers early helps prevent meltdowns.

5 Ways to Support All Feelings

Play: Children express feelings through play. It builds resilience and connection.
Physical Activity: Movement boosts mood and helps kids “reset.”
Mindfulness & Grounding: Calm jars, breathwork, and positive self-talk build resilience.
Routines & Habits: Predictability reduces anxiety and creates security.
Connection & Support: Name feelings, connect before correcting, and celebrate awareness.

Feelings are always valid, but not every behaviour is.

Accepting emotions is not the same as accepting all behaviours.

When children feel truly understood and supported, they begin to recognise that all feelings are valid and that there are always safe and healthy ways to express them. Small, consistent steps can make a powerful difference. By celebrating progress, modelling calm, and maintaining strong connections we help children feel secure and confident in managing their emotions.

A heartfelt thank you once again to Elaine for generously sharing her knowledge with us.

I Believe In Us Day - Casual Dress - Wednesday 15th October

This year, our special day is changing from I Believe in Me Day to I Believe in Us Day. It’s still about believing in yourself, but now it’s also about celebrating how we are part of a kind, caring school community.

Students are invited to wear casual clothes on this day - clothes that make them feel happy and proud. We ask families to bring a gold coin donation to support a children's charity called 'Variety'.

Believing in us means knowing that everyone’s strengths and talents make our school a better place. When we work together, we learn to be kind, helpful, and proud of each other. I Believe in Us Day is about celebrating who we are and the wonderful community we belong to. Together, we can make our school bright, welcoming, and full of kindness.

Classrooms will be participating in learning activities that focus on being part of a kind, caring school community. We will also be having a whole school dance and sing along to the song 'My Own Superhero' at the end of the day,

Thank you for your ongoing support and for joining us in celebrating kindness across our school community.