Real-life examples of emotion regulation activities for preschoolers

Everyday examples of emotion regulation activities for preschoolers

Let’s start where you actually live: in the middle of snack time, cleanup battles, and “I don’t want to share!” moments. The best examples of emotion regulation activities for preschoolers are the ones that fit naturally into those real-life situations.

One powerful example of an emotion regulation activity is the “Smell the flower, blow the candle” breathing game. You invite your child to pretend they’re holding a flower in one hand and a candle in the other. They take a slow breath in through the nose to “smell the flower,” then a long breath out through the mouth to “blow out the candle.” It’s simple, playful, and gives their nervous system a chance to reset.

Another everyday example: the “feelings check-in” at transition times. Before leaving for school or starting dinner, you pause and ask, “What color is your feeling today?” Your child might say yellow for happy, blue for sad, red for mad. Over time, these tiny check-ins teach kids that emotions are normal, nameable, and manageable.

These are small, but they add up. Research on social-emotional learning shows that when young children regularly practice skills like naming feelings and using calming strategies, they tend to have better relationships, fewer behavior problems, and stronger school readiness later on (CDC).

Breathing and body-based examples of emotion regulation activities for preschoolers

Some of the most effective examples of emotion regulation activities for preschoolers start with the body. Preschoolers live in their bodies; they feel emotions as wiggly legs, tight tummies, and loud voices. When we give them concrete, physical tools, we’re speaking their language.

One favorite example of a body-based activity is “starfish breathing.” You and your child spread out a hand like a starfish. With the pointer finger of the other hand, they trace up and down each finger. Breathe in while tracing up, breathe out while tracing down. By the time they’ve traced all five fingers, their breathing has slowed and their focus has shifted from the trigger to the calming rhythm.

Another example of emotion regulation in action is the “turtle shell” strategy. You teach your preschooler: “When you feel too mad or too wild, you can be a turtle.” The steps are simple: pull your arms in, tuck your chin, hug your knees, and take three slow breaths. It gives kids a safe, contained posture that signals to their body, “You’re safe, you’re calming down.” Many early childhood programs use this kind of strategy, and it lines up with what we know from child psychology about the power of predictable calming routines (NIH).

You can also use movement breaks as real examples of emotion regulation activities. When you notice your child getting dysregulated—too silly, too loud, or on the edge of tears—you might say, “Let’s do five big jumps and then take a drink of water.” The pattern could be: jump, stomp, stretch to the sky, touch toes, then a slow breath. It’s not punishment; it’s a reset button.

Other body-based examples include:

• “Robot to Rag Doll”: Your child tightens their whole body like a stiff robot, holds for three seconds, then suddenly relaxes into a floppy rag doll. This is a playful way to introduce progressive muscle relaxation.
• “Bubble breathing”: Pretend to blow bubbles, using slow, steady breaths. If you have real bubbles, even better. Kids quickly learn that fast, choppy breaths don’t make good bubbles, so they naturally practice slower breathing.

These examples of emotion regulation activities for preschoolers teach kids that their bodies can help them feel better, instead of just exploding or shutting down.

Story and play-based examples of emotion regulation activities for preschoolers

Preschoolers learn best through stories and pretend play. If you’re looking for gentle, realistic examples of emotion regulation activities for preschoolers, picture books and toys are your best friends.

One simple example: “feelings puppets.” You can use store-bought puppets or just draw faces on paper bags. Create a “Happy Harry,” “Mad Max,” “Scared Sarah,” and “Sad Sam.” During calm moments, act out short scenes: Max’s block tower falls and he wants to throw blocks. You pause and ask, “What could Max do to help his mad feeling?” Your child might suggest deep breaths, asking for help, or rebuilding. You’re not just entertaining them; you’re rehearsing regulation strategies in a low-stakes way.

Another powerful example of emotion regulation is using picture books that show characters working through big feelings. While reading, you pause to ask:

• “How do you think this character feels?”
• “What did they do to calm down?”
• “What else could they try?”

This kind of guided conversation helps kids connect stories to their own lives. Many high-quality children’s books now focus on mindfulness, worry, anger, and frustration, reflecting a broader 2024–2025 trend toward social-emotional learning in early childhood materials.

You can also turn favorite toys into real examples of emotion regulation activities. For instance, when your child’s stuffed animal is “too mad to share,” you model saying, “Bear is feeling really mad. Let’s help Bear take three starfish breaths.” Then you and your child help the toy calm down. Kids often find it easier to practice on a toy first, then on themselves.

Playdough can become another example of an emotion regulation activity. Invite your child to “squish their mad” into the dough, or roll long snakes while taking slow breaths. The sensory feedback of squeezing and rolling can be very soothing for many kids.

Visual and environment-based examples of emotion regulation activities for preschoolers

Sometimes the room itself can help kids regulate. Visual supports and cozy spaces are underrated but powerful examples of emotion regulation activities for preschoolers.

A classic example is the “calm-down corner.” This is not a punishment zone; it’s a safe, inviting spot where kids can go to feel better. You might include:

• Soft pillows or a small beanbag
• A few stuffed animals
• A basket with board books or feelings books
• A calm-down bottle (a clear bottle filled with water and glitter or beads)
• A simple picture chart of calming choices: breathe, hug a pillow, squeeze a ball, read a book

When your child starts to escalate, you might say, “Do you want to use the calm corner or stay here with me?” Giving a choice supports their sense of control while still guiding them toward regulation.

Another visual example of emotion regulation is a “feelings thermometer” or color chart on the wall. You might label green as “calm,” yellow as “frustrated,” orange as “very upset,” and red as “out of control.” During calm times, you practice: “Show me where you are on the feelings thermometer.” Then you pair each color with possible strategies. For example, yellow might mean “take three breaths,” orange might mean “go to the calm corner,” and red might mean “ask a grown-up for a big bear hug.”

You can also use visual schedules as an indirect example of emotion regulation. Many preschoolers melt down during transitions simply because they don’t know what’s coming next. A picture schedule of the day—breakfast, play, outside, lunch, nap—can lower anxiety and reduce emotional overload. The CDC notes that predictable routines support young children’s behavior and emotional security.

These environment-based examples of emotion regulation activities for preschoolers work quietly in the background, making it easier for kids to stay regulated without constant adult intervention.

Language-based examples: scripts, mantras, and emotion coaching

How we talk to preschoolers during big feelings matters. Some of the best examples of emotion regulation activities for preschoolers are actually about the words we use.

One powerful example is emotion coaching. Instead of saying, “Stop crying, it’s not a big deal,” you might try:

• “Your face looks really tight. I think you’re feeling mad.”
• “It’s okay to feel mad. It’s not okay to hit. Let’s stomp our feet instead.”

You’re teaching three things: name the feeling, accept the feeling, and choose a safer behavior.

Another language-based example is using simple mantras or phrases your child can repeat. For instance:

• “I can do hard things.”
• “My feeling is big, but I am bigger.”
• “Breathe in calm, blow out mad.”

You can practice these during peaceful moments so they’re ready when things get rocky.

You might also create “if-then” scripts as real examples of emotion regulation activities. For example:

• “If I feel scared at bedtime, then I can hug my stuffed animal and take three starfish breaths.”
• “If I feel mad when someone takes my toy, then I can say, ‘Stop, I’m using that’ or ask a grown-up for help.”

These tiny scripts give preschoolers a mental map for what to do when emotions spike. They’re especially helpful for kids who struggle with impulse control or language.

Organizations like Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child highlight how responsive, emotionally attuned adults help children build self-regulation skills over time (Harvard). Your words are not just noise; they’re building your child’s internal voice.

Real examples of emotion regulation activities for preschoolers at home and school

Let’s pull this together with some real-world scenarios that show how these strategies work in context. These are the kinds of examples of emotion regulation activities for preschoolers that parents, teachers, and therapists are using right now.

Morning rush example:
Your child refuses to put on shoes and starts to scream. Instead of only insisting, you say, “Your body looks like it’s in the red zone. Let’s do three starfish breaths together, then we’ll try again.” You both breathe. You offer a choice: “Do you want to hop to your shoes like a bunny or stomp like a dinosaur?” You’ve combined breathing, play, and choice—three regulation tools in one.

Playground conflict example:
Another child grabs the swing. Your preschooler is about to shove them. You step in with emotion coaching: “You’re really mad. Your hands want to push. It’s okay to feel mad; it’s not okay to push. Let’s stomp our mad out on the ground and then use our words.” Later, you might act out the scene with puppets as a story-based example of emotion regulation, giving your child a chance to practice a calmer response.

Classroom transition example:
The teacher rings the bell to clean up, and one child starts to cry because they’re not finished building. The teacher points to the feelings chart, helps the child say, “I feel sad and mad,” and invites them to the calm corner. There, the child chooses a calm-down bottle and takes bubble breaths. After a few minutes, they’re ready to help clean up. This is a living example of how environment, visuals, and breathing activities work together.

Bedtime worries example:
Your child says, “I’m scared there are monsters.” You validate the feeling, then guide them to hug a stuffed animal, repeat a calming phrase (“My room is safe, I am loved”), and do slow breathing while you trace a gentle circle on their back. Over time, this becomes a predictable emotion regulation routine for nighttime anxiety.

These real examples of emotion regulation activities for preschoolers show that you don’t need perfection; you just need a few reliable tools you can return to again and again.

FAQs about examples of emotion regulation activities for preschoolers

Q: What are some simple examples of emotion regulation activities for preschoolers I can start today?
You can start with starfish breathing, a feelings check-in using colors, a tiny calm-down corner with a pillow and one stuffed animal, and a short mantra like “Breathe in calm, blow out mad.” None of these require special materials, and they fit easily into everyday routines.

Q: Can you give an example of an emotion regulation activity for a very active preschooler?
Yes. Try a movement-based reset: have them do five big jumps, five wall pushes (hands on the wall, pushing gently), then one long breath. You can frame it as a superhero power-up. This kind of activity channels their energy while still teaching regulation.

Q: How often should I use these examples of emotion regulation activities for preschoolers?
Think “little and often.” Practice during calm times—before bed, in the car, during play—so the skills are familiar when emotions run high. Over time, your child will start to use some strategies on their own.

Q: Do these activities replace professional help if my child has big behavior challenges?
No. These are helpful supports, but if your child’s emotions or behaviors are interfering with daily life—at home, at preschool, or with peers—it’s wise to talk with your pediatrician or a child mental health professional. The Mayo Clinic and CDC both offer guidance on when to seek extra support.

Q: How do I know if an example of an emotion regulation activity is working?
Look for small shifts over time: your child might recover from upsets a bit faster, use words more often, or accept comfort more easily. There will still be meltdowns—that’s normal in preschoolers—but you’ll gradually see more skills and fewer explosions.

Emotion regulation isn’t something preschoolers magically “have” or “don’t have.” It’s a set of skills they build through practice, modeling, and support. By using these real examples of emotion regulation activities for preschoolers in your daily life, you’re not just surviving the toddler and preschool years—you’re actively wiring your child’s brain for resilience, empathy, and self-control.