Co-Regulation

Blog #2: Co-Regulation

“What is Co-Regulation and how/why is it important for Emotional Regulation and Self-Regulation?”

What is Co-Regulation?

Co-Regulation refers to the social relationships and the way we can adjust to interaction with another in order to maintain a regulated state. To reach a regulated state with co-regulation, a mutual adjustment/agreement of actions and intentions need to be met by all individuals.

Why is it Important?

Self-Regulation and Co-Regulation are important because it improves our ability to adjust to the appropriate information in our environments, while tuning out irrelevant information, have self-control and also provides the ability to form relationships.

Some children find it difficult to both self-regulate and co-regulate often due to: sensory motor difficulties in either calming or energizing their bodies.

Due to uncertainty in social situations it is common to see a child withdraw or try to take full control of the interaction. Children who find it difficult to co-regulate may:

-show attempts to gain control of an activity

-not allow turn taking

-show selfish behavior

-fluctuate energy levels

If a child is having difficulty with co-regulation and you sense it may be due to sensory motor difficulties in either calming or energizing their body an Occupational Therapy assessment may benefit them.