Discover how to use the power of play to strengthen your child’s emotional regulation and foster meaningful connection, with Dr. Abbré McClain and Dr. Jacqueline Salazar.

In this episode, we explore:

- How play and relationships can be foundational elements for teaching kids emotional regulation skills.

- Why coregulation doesn’t have to be so serious and can be employed through play and playfulness.

- The therapeutic function of play interventions and how they work in play therapy.

- How to adapt play strategies for different developmental stages and unique children.

- Why playing with your kids is different from entertaining them, and how child-led play can be less exhausting for parents.

- Quality over quantity: How even small moments of playfulness can make a big difference in strengthening parent-child bonds.

If you’re looking for practical ways to build emotional regulation skills while bringing more joy and connection into your family’s life, this episode is filled with actionable insights to get you started!

LEARN MORE ABOUT:

• Dr. Abbré McClain

• Dr. Jacqueline Salazar

READ THEIR BOOK:

📚 The Self-Regulation Workbook for 3- to 5-Year-Olds: Play-Based and Creative Activities to Build Coping Skills and Handle Big Emotions

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:

📱@chicago.wellness.center

📱 @drsarahbren

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

👉🏻 Download my free guide, Strengthen Your Child's Emotion Regulation Skills Through Play, to help your child learn to calm their brains and bodies.

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 Understanding parental dysregulation: How to identify and manage your triggers with Dr. Amber Thornton

🎧 Supporting our children's emotional regulation and sensory processing experiences: With occupational therapist Laura Petix

🎧 The psychology behind dysregulation with Cara Goodwin

🎧 Teaching children emotion regulation skills through coregulation with Dana Rosenbloom