26/05/2026
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Before you do anything save this to refer back to!
⭐️Co-regulation is the ability to use your nervous system to help regulate someone else’s, in this case your child.
The biggest sensory tool that you have to offer your child is yourself! You will notice the majority of these strategies involve using your body and yourself as a sensory tool! They do not involve any fancy equipment or toys, just you!
✨Sensory based strategies for co-regulation can often be over complicated, when actually what is needed the most is to simplify & remove stimuli.
⭐️When a child is dysregulated they are often experiencing sensory overload. So the most effective strategy is to minimize the sensory input in their environment and to utilize their sensory preferences to assist with regulation.
✨Something as simple as lowering your body, having a softer presence and encouraging your child to lower their eye gaze is so effective. Think less is more, less talking, less moving, and less doing.
⭐️When are children are dysregulated we all have a tendency to want to do everything at once to help. They escalate and we escalate, but we need to be that calming and grounded presence.
✨Model deep breathing, mindfulness, and a preferred sensory activity rather than suggesting they do it can be so helpful. Eventually, you will notice they will join in!
⭐️Every child’s nervous system is unique, what works for one child will not work for the next and it can even change on a day to day basis. So remember it is a process to identify what will work best for your child.
🎯Remember, co-regulation is not just happening in times of distress it is also happening in times of joy! So doing these activities when your child is regulated will only further help to strengthen those pathways in their brain for when they are dysregulated.
💕Do me a favor and give this a share if you think it will be helpful to someone else!
😊Kristin
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