Stay close and use a short, calm acknowledgement of the feeling. Discuss possible next steps when your child is ready to listen.
Connect before explaining
Stay close and use a short, calm acknowledgement of the feeling. Discuss possible next steps when your child is ready to listen.
A secure little beginning
Responding to cries helps your baby feel safe.
Notice and respond to your baby’s signals with holding, a calm voice, and eye contact when they welcome it.
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When overwhelmed, place your baby safely in their cot and take a brief pause. Never shake a baby.
Growing at their pace
Ask your clinician about concerns or a loss of skills. Milestones are conversation starters, not a scorecard.
Explore this stage →You are their safe base
Reassurance through new faces and little separations.
Use a familiar goodbye routine and respond calmly when your baby needs reassurance.
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Name what you notice: “That sound surprised you. I’m here.”
Growing at their pace
Respond to their need for connection. Ask a clinician about concerns or loss of skills.
Explore this stage →Big feelings, little words
Help them feel understood before asking them to calm.
Stay nearby and name the feeling: “You wanted that. You feel upset.” Keep the limit brief and kind.
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Model gentle hands with a doll or soft toy.
Growing at their pace
Young toddlers need adult help to regulate feelings. Discuss developmental concerns with a clinician.
Explore this stage →Making space for big feelings
Naming emotions, practising kindness, and finding calm together.
Name the feeling and hold the boundary: “You’re angry. I won’t let you hit.” Stay nearby and help them settle.
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Use a doll to act out asking for a turn. Notice and describe kind actions when they happen.
Growing at their pace
Self-regulation takes practice and adult support. Bring persistent concerns or lost skills to a healthcare professional.
Explore this stage →Learning to be a friend
Taking turns, understanding feelings, and repairing little conflicts.
Talk through a disagreement after everyone is calm. Help your child describe what happened and what they could try next.
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Pause during a story to ask how a character might feel.
Growing at their pace
Model apologies and repair. Help them express limits and ask a trusted adult for support.
Explore this stage →Confidence from connection
Friendship skills, emotional language, and knowing when to ask for help.
Make time to listen without immediately solving the problem. Help your child name feelings and consider options.
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Ask “Would you like me to listen, or help you think it through?” Adapt your words for younger children.
When to ask for help
Seek support for ongoing distress, bullying, marked behaviour changes, or withdrawal. Urgent safety concerns need immediate help.
Explore this stage →Sources and further reading
A question parents ask
Should I insist that my child names the feeling?
No. You can offer a possible word without demanding agreement. A gesture, quiet company or a later conversation can also support connection.