Peninsula Pediatrics

Category: Child Development

Emotional Regulation in Children

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Many people struggle with big emotions, but for children, it can be especially challenging when they’re still learning how to regulate their emotions. Emotional regulation is the ability to manage emotions, reactions, and behaviors in healthy ways. For children, this is a skill that can be nurtured with patience, guidance, and supportive strategies. When teaching kids emotional regulation, it’s important to let them know that regulating emotions does not mean they won’t feel big emotions like anger or frustration. Instead, you want to let them know that emotional regulation is about learning to recognize their feelings, what triggers them, how to express themselves appropriately, and how to use coping tools to handle stress. This skill is a key part of healthy mental and emotional development and plays an important role in how children interact with peers, succeed in school, and build self-esteem.

Children differ in how quickly they learn to regulate their emotions, and that’s okay. Some kids are naturally more sensitive, while others may need more time and support to manage feelings like frustration or disappointment. You may wonder why a seemingly small problem, like taking turns, waiting, or being told “no,” can result in big emotional outbursts. In many cases, acting out is a child’s way of communicating that they are overwhelmed, stressed, or unable to express what they’re feeling with words. For young children, especially those who are still developing language and self-control, big emotions can feel physical, like a volcano ready to erupt, and they may react with yelling, hitting, or crying.

Stress, changes in routine, sleep disruptions, or even hearing about things that worry them can also make children more reactive. When a child repeatedly loses their temper or struggles to calm down, it’s a sign that they may need additional support in learning how to handle strong emotions. 

One of the first steps in building emotional regulation is helping children name their emotions. Children can’t learn how to manage feelings they can’t identify. To help, you can say things like, “I see you’re feeling really angry right now,” or “It looks like that made you sad.” Over time, this helps your child associate their internal feeling with a word. Once they can label their emotions, they will be better equipped to talk about them and work through them. After they learn how to identify feelings, the next step is teaching them healthy coping skills. Just as we teach basic skills like tying shoes or brushing teeth, emotional regulation skills can be taught with practice and encouragement. 

 Simple tools that work well with kids include:

  •     Deep breathing. Slow breaths can help a child’s body relax when they’re feeling overwhelmed. 
  •     Physical activity. Movement helps discharge the extra adrenaline that often accompanies intense emotions. A quick walk, jumping jacks, or dancing to music can help reset a child’s mood.
  •     Quiet spaces. Designating a calm corner with pillows, stuffed animals, or sensory toys can give children a safe place to regroup.
  •     Storytelling. Books and stories about feelings can help children understand that everyone has big emotions, and that those emotions are manageable with support and time.

 

The key is to practice these tools before a meltdown occurs, so children can use them automatically when emotions run high.

Keep in mind that kids learn emotional regulation best by watching the adults around them. When you stay calm, use respectful language, and show kids how you cope with your own feelings, you’re setting them an example they can follow. 

Most children acquire emotional regulation through consistent practice and support. However, if your child frequently has intense emotional outbursts that interfere with school, friendships, or daily life, please call the pediatrician. There may be additional strategies or support resources available, including behavioral counseling, that can help your child strengthen these skills more effectively.



Gratitude and Mental Health: Helping Children Practice Thankfulness

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In our busy lives, it can be easy to overlook the small things, but teaching kids gratitude is more than just good manners. It’s an effective way to support their mental health, build resilience, and help them develop a positive outlook on life. As parents, we can guide them toward noticing, appreciating, and expressing thankfulness in ways that really matter. Daily gratitude practice has been linked with better sleep, fewer aches and pains, and a more positive mindset.

Teaching thankfulness to kids can begin as early as the toddler and preschooler years. During this time, kids are naturally focused on themselves, but with simple guidance, they can start understanding the idea of being grateful. Some concepts to start with include encouraging your child to say “thank you” when someone helps them, telling your child why you are thankful for them (for example, “I appreciate how you helped your sibling tie their shoes”), and sharing aloud what you’re grateful for as a family. Participating in small acts of kindness, like donating toys or helping a neighbor, can help them connect gratitude with empathy and service. Consistency is key. Gratitude is a habit and not a one-time lesson. Reinforcing thankfulness in everyday life helps children internalize that thankfulness is part of how they treat themselves and others.

As kids get older, you’ll want to continue instilling habits that encourage thankfulness. Some ways to do this include: 

  1. Talk about things you’re grateful for each day, even the small things. You might want to consider having a family gratitude jar where you leave a collection of notes, each expressing something you’re thankful for. It’s also helpful to make it a bedtime habit. Before the lights go out, ask your child to name a few things they’re grateful for that day. Even when things are tough, finding something positive helps end the day on a good note and can improve mental health. 
  1. Celebrate kindness by helping others. Involving your kids in volunteer activities, like charity drives and helping a neighbor, helps them feel a sense of purpose and a link between giving and gratitude. It’s also a great way for them to grow their skills.
  2. Model gratitude through behavior and not just words. Thank your child for everyday things like helping or sharing.
  1. Highlight generosity. Notice when others go out of their way to help and point it out to your child to reinforce kindness. You’ll also want to do the same for your kids. Give them credit when you notice them doing an act of kindness. Showing your appreciation will encourage them to do the same.
  1. Make practicing gratitude a fun experience for your children. There are so many ways to practice it, and you can help your child find their own unique way. Whether it’s writing thank you notes and cards, drawing a picture, or baking cupcakes for someone, talk to your child about what activity to express thankfulness would make them feel good.

When we practice gratitude, we improve our own well-being and mental health, develop a more optimistic outlook, reduce stress, and build stronger relationships. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s emotions, stress, or mental wellness, please call our office and talk to our pediatrician. 

What to Know About Tylenol

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As a parent, you’ve likely reached for Tylenol (the brand name for acetaminophen) at some point, whether to ease your baby’s fever or soothe teething pain. Recently, some headlines and social media posts have raised questions about whether acetaminophen could be linked to autism or other developmental conditions. Understandably, this has caused concern for many families. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Tylenol is safe for children when used as directed, and there is no link between acetaminophen use and autism.

Decades of studies have shown that acetaminophen, when taken in the correct dose, is an effective and safe way to relieve pain and reduce fever in children. Millions of families have used it for more than 70 years, and it remains one of the most trusted medications in pediatric care.

Some recent claims online have suggested a possible connection between acetaminophen use during pregnancy or early childhood and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, according to the AAP, these claims are not supported by credible scientific evidence. The research cited in those claims is inconsistent and does not demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship. In fact, when experts have reviewed all available data, the conclusion is clear: acetaminophen does not cause autism.

When a child is sick, comfort and safety are a parent’s top priorities. Acetaminophen remains one of the safest options for managing fever and pain relief, especially compared to other alternatives. It can be used for children of all ages, including infants, as long as the correct dose is given based on the child’s weight and age.

Here’s what parents can keep in mind for safe use: 

  •     Always follow dosing directions carefully. The right dose depends on your child’s weight, not just their age. Your pediatrician or the medication label can help guide you.
  •     Use the right measuring device. Household spoons are not accurate. Use the syringe or cup that comes with the medication.
  •     Keep track of timing and doses. Avoid giving more than the recommended amount within 24 hours.
  •     Consult your pediatrician if your child’s fever lasts more than a few days or if you’re unsure about dosing.

 

When used as directed, acetaminophen can safely relieve discomfort from teething, colds, ear infections, or even post-vaccine soreness. It’s also a recommended fever reducer for infants under 6 months old (since ibuprofen is not yet safe for that age group).

Some parents have also asked whether taking acetaminophen during pregnancy could affect a baby’s development. The AAP notes that current research does not prove a link between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism or ADHD. Pregnant individuals are encouraged to discuss all medications with their healthcare provider, but acetaminophen remains one of the few pain and fever relievers considered safe to use when needed.

It’s easy for misinformation to spread quickly online, especially when it comes to children’s health. The AAP continues to closely review new studies, and its guidance is based on a careful scientific review, not trends or headlines. Your pediatrician is also here to help you navigate these questions and ensure your child gets the care they need. If you have questions about medications, dosing, or managing fever and pain at home, please contact our office.