Co-regulation is a parenting tool crucial for assisting children and teens in managing intense emotions. It involves caregivers providing warm and responsive interactions to help young people regulate their emotions effectively. By fostering emotional skills through co-regulation, parents and trusted adults support children in developing self-regulation abilities, including emotional awareness, problem-solving, and social skills. Co-regulation benefits children by enabling them to handle stress, make informed decisions, and adapt to challenges, potentially leading to positive outcomes in life. While evidence of co-regulation’s effectiveness is still emerging, it is particularly beneficial for children facing challenging circumstances. Parental coaching in co-regulation involves fostering a warm relationship, providing structure, and responding to a child’s emotions with validation and support. Resources such as the Co-Regulation in Action video series and therapy can assist parents in practicing co-regulation, although consistency and support are essential for success.
