Developing Emotion Regulation in Out-of-School Time
All youth are capable of learning to better regulate their emotions and behavior, and Out-of-School Time (OST) settings provide important opportunities to support their growth in this area. Instilling a growth mindset around emotion regulation will help youth understand that managing emotions well takes time and practice. Rather than thinking of youth as having or not having emotion regulation skills, it is helpful for us to think of them as learning these skills.
Why is Emotion Regulation Important?
The benefits of emotion regulation extend beyond gaining immediate relief from unpleasant feelings. Strong emotion regulation skills can help youth improve their relationships with others, achieve long-term physical and mental well-being, and perform better in work or school.
Practices that Strengthen Emotion Management in Youth
- Develop our own skills so that we can model effective emotion management.
- Create safe and caring spaces in which youth feel valued and appreciated as individuals.
- Teach specific emotion regulation skills that youth can use when they encounter challenging situations.
For a closer look at practices that support the development of emotion regulation skills for adolescents in Out-of-School Time settings, download our guide.
