Regulation and Emotions Come First!

Before we worry about speech sounds, reading levels, or counting skills, we have to remember one very important truth: a child can’t learn if they don’t feel safe, calm, and connected.

In early years, it’s so easy to get caught up in the excitement of milestones and progress... Who can recognise letters, who’s starting to blend sounds, who can count to ten...butt underneath all of those skills lies something far more vital...REGULATION!

When a child feels dysregulated ,overwhelmed, anxious, tired, overstimulated, or disconnected, their brain isn’t ready to learn.

The part of the brain that helps us think, reason, and remember simply can’t do its job when the body is in survival mode.

That’s why emotional and sensory regulation must come first.

💛 What Regulation Looks Like

Regulation doesn’t mean always being calm or quiet.

It’s about helping children recognise how they feel, and giving them the tools to manage those feelings safely.

It might look like:

• Taking deep breaths after a busy transition.

• Having a safe, quiet space to reset.

• Using movement to release energy.

• Feeling understood and supported by trusted adults.

  
  

For some children, especially those with communication or sensory differences, regulation can be a daily challenge.

Their bodies might seek more movement, pressure, or quiet time to feel balanced.

When we meet those needs with understanding instead of correction, we build trust and that’s where learning truly begins!

🌈 The Link Between Regulation and Communication

When a child is calm and connected, they’re open to interaction.

They can listen, imitate, explore, and begin to express themselves, but when they’re overwhelmed or dysregulated, communication becomes difficult, not because they don’t want to engage, but because their nervous system is focused on safety, not speech.

So before we focus on words, we must focus on connection.

Eye contact, turn-taking, shared joy, a calm rhythm, these are the building blocks of communication!

🌿 Why It Matters in Early Years

In the early years, children are learning who they are in the world.

heir emotions are big, their senses are strong, and their ability to express what’s happening inside is still developing.

When we prioritise emotional wellbeing, we give them the foundation to thrive.

Supporting regulation means we’re saying:

“I see you. You’re safe. You can trust me.”

Only then can we move towards speech, learning, and growth.

💕 A Gentle Reminder for Us All

Next time a child is struggling to listen, sit still, or join in, just pause and look beyond the behaviour.

Ask yourself:

• Are they tired or hungry?

• Do they need movement or deep pressure?

• Are they overwhelmed by sound or light?

• Do they just need connection and reassurance first?

  
  

When we meet emotional and sensory needs before academic ones, we’re not falling behind we’re giving children what they truly need to move forward.

A regulated child is a ready-to-learn child and the most important lesson of all is not ABCs or numbers. it’s learning that their feelings matter, and they are safe to be exactly who they are.

If you’re looking for practical tools to help children explore their emotions, build regulation skills, and strengthen understanding, you’ll find a range of gentle, accessible resources in our online store

From visual supports to communication-friendly resources, everything is designed to make regulation feel clearer and more achievable for every child.