Sensory-Friendly Strategies For Emotional Regulation
A Practical Guide to Supporting Neurodivergent Children
Emotional regulation is a crucial skill that helps children navigate the ups and downs of daily life. For neurodivergent children, managing big emotions can be particularly challenging, especially when sensory sensitivities are in the mix. That’s why I created the Sensory-Friendly Strategies for Emotional Regulation Guide, to offer a calm, practical, and effective approach for families, educators, and therapists supporting children.
Whether your child experiences sensory overload, underload, or struggles with processing sensory information, this guide is designed to empower you with easy-to-implement tools that foster resilience, independence, and emotional well-being
🌟 What You’ll Find in the FREE Guide
✅ Sensory-Friendly Emotional Regulation Strategies
✅ A Printable Daily Use Checklist
✅ Quick Guide to my “Pause – Reflect, Recalculate, Edit & Restore” Framework
🌱 Why Sensory Strategies Matter
When children are overwhelmed, their nervous systems need help returning to a calm state. Sensory inputs like sound, touch, movement, or visuals can either soothe or overload a child. That’s why emotional regulation strategies must be sensory-informed to be truly effective.
Here are a few favourites from the guide that you can start using today:
🧠 Sensory-Friendly Strategies to Try
1. 🛋️ Create a Calm-Down Corner
Designate a sensory-safe space where your child can retreat when emotions run high. Include soft cushions, fidget toys, calming visuals, or noise-cancelling headphones.
2. 🌌 Use Weighted Items
Weighted blankets or vests provide deep pressure input, which helps many children feel safe, grounded, and regulated, especially when anxious or overstimulated.
3. 🌬️ Teach Breathing Techniques
Simple, sensory-linked strategies like “smell the flower, blow out the candle” paired with tactile objects (squishy toys or textured items) can anchor children in their bodies and reduce overwhelm.
4. 📅 Implement Visual Schedules
Predictability lowers stress. A visual schedule provides structure and helps reduce the emotional chaos that can come with unexpected transitions.
5. 🏃♀️ Include Movement Breaks
Jumping on a trampoline, stretching, swinging, or doing animal walks can help regulate the nervous system throughout the day.
6. 🎧 Play Soothing Sounds
Calming music, nature sounds, or white noise can reduce environmental overwhelm and support a peaceful atmosphere.
📋 Sensory-Friendly Checklist for Daily Use
✅ Set up a designated calm-down space
✅ Provide access to weighted items
✅ Practice breathing techniques regularly
✅ Use a visual schedule for routine
✅ Build in movement breaks throughout the day
✅ Use calming music or nature sounds as needed
This checklist is included in the guide and is designed to be displayed in classrooms, therapy rooms, or on the fridge at home!
🔄 Introducing the “PAUSE – Reflect, Recalculate, Edit & Restore” Framework
This signature framework supports impulse control and emotional thinking in a child-friendly, sensory-safe way. Children learn to slow down and make thoughtful choices using a structured, visual and interactive method.
✋ Pause
Stop and notice what’s happening before reacting.
💭 Reflect
How do I feel? What just happened?
🔁 Recalculate
What choices do I have? What could happen next?
📝 Edit
Choose the best action and adjust behaviour accordingly.
💡 Restore
Make amends or take a moment to recover. Move forward with confidence.
This approach is especially helpful for children who are neurodivergent, anxious, or struggle with emotional regulation due to sensory or developmental challenges.
❤️ Why This Matters
By integrating these strategies into your child’s daily routines, you’re not just calming a meltdown, you’re teaching lifelong skills. You’re helping your child:
Build emotional resilience
Increase independence
Learn problem-solving
Gain confidence in self-regulation
📧 Ready to Support Your Child?
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