Raising Regulators: How to Help Your Child Manage Big Emotions Through the Art of Co-Regulation

Co-regulation plays a crucial role in helping children develop self-regulation skills. In this episode, Dr. Katie explores the concept of co-regulation and its importance in parenting. She explains that children are born with the capacity to learn how to regulate but need guidance and support from parents and caregivers. Co-regulation involves using a warm, calm behavioral response to calm a child's bigger, more explosive behavior response. By modeling calm and providing a safe, supportive environment, parents can help children learn to manage their emotions and behaviors. Dr. Katie emphasizes the power of mirror neurons and how our behavior influences our children's behavior. She also provides strategies for parents to practice co-regulation, such as pausing, breathing calmly, and offering empathy and validation. This episode offers valuable insights into the science of co-regulation and practical tools for parents to support their children's emotional development.

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Timestamps:

0:45 - Defining self-regulation

4:34 - Developmental timeline: when we learn to regulate

7:02 - How adult behavior influences child behavior within the regulation lens

8:34 - Defining co-regulation

10:23 - The regulation triangle 

12:16 - The concept of rational detachment to help parents regain calm 

15:05 - Examples of co-regulation

18:10 - When one parent is the primary regulator in two parent households

22:09 - Challenge of the week!