The Hidden Superpower That Helps Kids Regulate Their Emotions

When kids feel overwhelmed, anxious, fidgety, or flat, one of the most effective ways to help them regulate is through proprioceptive input — the sensory feedback our muscles and joints get when we push, pull, squeeze, or move with effort. Think of it as the body’s internal GPS: it tells us where we are in space, how we’re moving, and how much force we’re using.

Activities like jumping, climbing, pushing heavy objects, or giving firm hugs can help calm the nervous system and bring kids back to their bodies. But one often-overlooked form of proprioception is breathing — particularly slow, deep, controlled breathing.