Emotional regulation refers to how individuals experience, interpret, and manage their emotions and behaviors. Regulation is a developing skill for many children as they learn to navigate their environment and relationships. It is especially important for children with hearing loss, as research suggests that the increased effort required for communication, along with factors such as fatigue, inattention, and sensory processing differences, can contribute to challenges with emotional regulation and behavior.
It is important to recognize, understand, and respond to dysregulation in order to help a child learn how to manage and cope with their emotions. Occupational therapists support this process by teaching self-regulation strategies that help children independently regulate their emotions and maintain composure across different situations.
Emotional Regulation
OT Strategies for Emotional Regulation
Occupational therapy supports emotional regulation by helping children identify their feelings, understand their energy levels, and develop practical strategies to respond appropriately in different situations. One commonly used approach is the Zones of Regulation framework, which teaches children to recognize their emotions within color-coded zones and to build awareness of how their bodies and behaviors change across each state. OTs often incorporate visual supports, emotional check-ins, and structured routines to help children increase self-awareness, expand their emotional vocabulary, and communicate how they feel.
Intervention strategies may also include teaching calming and alerting tools that match each child’s needs, such as deep breathing, movement breaks, heavy work activities, or sensory-based supports like fidgets, weighted items, or quiet spaces. Additional supports can include helping children build “toolboxes” of personalized strategies for each zone, practicing identifying triggers and early warning signs, and using co-regulation, role-play, and social stories to rehearse responses in real-life situations. Incorporating activities that build emotional literacy—such as sorting emotions, matching facial expressions, and reflecting on daily experiences—can further strengthen understanding and self-awareness. Over time, these strategies help children develop independence in regulating emotions and improve their ability to participate successfully in everyday routines.
Source: The OT Toolbox (Beck, C., OTR/L). Zones of Regulation Activities. https://www.theottoolbox.com/zones-of-regulation-activities/