Helping Kids Navigate Big Feelings During Seasonal Changes
As the days grow shorter and routines shift with the change of seasons, many children feel the effects more than we realize. A new school schedule, less daylight, cooler weather, or even holiday pressures can disrupt a child’s emotional balance. Parents may notice more tantrums, irritability, or difficulty with transitions.
The good news? Emotional regulation can be taught. Children don’t always know how to handle “big feelings,” but with guidance, consistency, and positive reinforcement, they can learn skills that help them feel calmer, more confident, and more in control.
At the Parent Management Training Institute (PMTI), we use evidence-based tools, including the Kazdin Method® of Parent Management Training, to teach parents how to reduce disruptive behaviors and strengthen positive ones. Seasonal transitions are the perfect opportunity to focus on emotional regulation.
Why Emotional Regulation Matters
Emotional regulation is the ability to manage emotions in healthy, constructive ways. Without it, children may become overwhelmed by frustration, sadness, or worry. Instead of expressing themselves appropriately, they might lash out, withdraw, or refuse to cooperate.
Teaching children to regulate emotions helps them:
- Feel safer and more secure in their environment
- Build stronger relationships with peers and family
- Improve focus and behavior at school
- Gain confidence in their ability to handle challenges
Techniques to Help Kids Manage Big Feelings
1. Model Calm Behavior
Dr. Alan Kazdin emphasizes that children learn far more from what parents do than what they say. Modeling calmness during stressful moments shows children how to respond. If you take deep breaths, speak softly, or step away to cool down, your child learns these strategies too.
2. Tell What TO DO
When your child is upset, avoid saying “Stop it!” or “That is inappropriate!” The brain struggles to process negatives. Instead, tell them what to do. This increases the likelihood they’ll do the right thing. For example, if your child is swearing, say:
→ “Please speak respectfully.”
3. Practice Breathing or Movement Breaks
Simple techniques like splashing water on your face, “smell the flower, blow out the candle,” breathing or jumping jacks can reset a child’s nervous system and reduce the intensity of their feelings.
4. Set Predictable Routines
Seasonal transitions can feel chaotic. Maintaining consistent routines, such as bedtime, family meals, or homework time, provides children with stability and helps lower their anxiety.
5. Reinforce Positive Coping
Praise your child when they handle a tough moment well: “I love how you took a break when you were upset. That was amazing! Many adults aren’t good at doing that!” Positive reinforcement, a core principle of the Kazdin Method®, makes it more likely your child will repeat the behavior.
6. Create a “Calm Corner”
A cozy space with books, sensory toys, or calming music can give your child a safe place to reset when emotions run high.
How PMTI Can Help
Seasonal changes are stressful for the whole family, and you don’t have to navigate them alone. At PMTI, we provide parent training, workshops, and professional resources that equip you with strategies rooted in the Kazdin Method®. Our goal is to help families reduce stress, strengthen bonds, and foster resilience.
👉 Learn more about our Parent Management Training Programs
FAQs: Emotional Regulation and Seasonal Transitions
Q1: Why do seasonal changes affect children’s behavior?
Seasonal changes often bring new routines, less daylight, and holiday stress, all of which can impact mood, sleep, and behavior.
Q2: How can I tell if my child is struggling with emotional regulation?
Look for frequent meltdowns, withdrawal, difficulty adapting to change, or constant frustration.
Q3: What should I do when my child has a meltdown?
Stay calm, acknowledge their feelings, and guide them toward coping strategies such as breathing exercises or taking a break.
Q4: How does the Kazdin Method® help with emotional regulation?
It uses positive reinforcement, modeling, and structured practice to teach children new skills and reduce disruptive behaviors.
Q5: Can teachers use these techniques too?
Yes! Teachers can model calm, reinforce positive behaviors, and provide structured routines in the classroom to support emotional regulation.
Additional Resources On Kids and Emotional Regulation
- Behavior and Mental Health: Recognizing Anxiety in Children with Behavioral Challenges
- Child Mind Institute – Teaching Kids Emotional Regulation
- American Psychological Association – Emotional Regulation
Disruptive Behaviors Are NOT Inevitable
Seasonal changes are inevitable – but disruptive behaviors don’t have to be. With consistent strategies, patient guidance, and positive reinforcement, parents can help children build emotional resilience that will serve them for a lifetime.
🌟 Want personalized support? Contact PMTI today to learn how we can help your family or your professional practice strengthen emotional regulation skills.
- Online and virtual training: PMTI’s core Parent Management Training (PMT) courses are delivered in flexible formats, over weekly live sessions via Zoom. This online structure means parents and professionals can join from anywhere, without needing to adjust for seasonal travel or weather.
- Workshops and Continuing Education: PMTI offers workshops for clinicians and therapists to become: certified in PMT. These workshops are regularly scheduled throughout the year, often at professional conferences or virtually, and are less tied to a specific season.
- Event-specific timing: While the training is continuous, some event promotions may be seasonally themed. For instance, our “Spring into Better Behavior” encourages parents to start the program during a time of new beginnings.