Co-Regulation Before Self-Regulation

Before kids can regulate themselves, they need someone to regulate with. In this episode, May Sosa psychiatric nurse, children’s book author, and mother of a neurodivergent child explores the foundational concept of co-regulation and why it’s the first step toward helping children manage their emotions.

Perfect for parents, teachers, and caregivers, this episode offers practical tips, real-life examples, and a fresh perspective on how staying calm with a child is more impactful than simply asking them to “calm down.”

We will look at:

• What co-regulation is (and why it’s different from self-regulation)

• Why neurodivergent children benefit most from emotional connection

• What you can do in the moment—without needing to “fix” everything

• How to model emotional safety even when things feel messy