Co-Regulation in a Dysregulated World: Supporting Children Through Big Feelings

The world feels loud, fast, and overwhelming—especially for young children.

Co-regulation is the idea that children learn to regulate their emotions through calm, responsive relationships with adults. Before children can consistently calm themselves, they borrow our calm.

This doesn’t mean adults must be perfectly regulated. It means being present, steady, and connected.

Co-regulation looks like slowing your body, getting down to a child’s level, naming feelings without judgment, and offering presence before solutions.

Montessori environments are intentionally designed to support regulation through predictable rhythms, calm spaces, and unhurried work periods.

When adults model repair, patience, and reflection, children learn that emotions are manageable and mistakes are part of learning.

Co-regulation is not about getting it right every time. It’s about returning to connection again and again.