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

Discover play-based activities and coping strategies to help children ages 3 to 5 with social and emotional functioning, attachment patterns, and handling anxiety and other strong emotions!

Children aged 3 to 5 years are experiencing a period of rapid growth, and play is the key medium in which all aspects of their development, especially social and emotional development, occur. This evidence-based workbook acts as a resource for trusted adults and caregivers, providing playful and creative activities that will help foster self-regulation skills necessary for healthy emotional development in their children.

Activities within the workbook are play based to help young kids foster a healthy self-image and develop self-regulation skills necessary to manage stress, anxiety, and other big emotions. Additionally, the activities will include reflective opportunities for adults to help strengthen their relationship with the child. The reflective process is necessary for co-regulation, an essential aspect of self-regulation. These activities can be utilized repeatedly and adapted across ages and settings, as well as assist in navigating social and emotional developmental milestones.

Dr. Abbré McClain received a doctorate in clinical psychology from Adler University and holds an Infant Parent Psychotherapy Endowment and certifications in Diagnostic Assessment for Young Children (DC:0-5) and Circle of Security-Parenting Facilitation (COSP); she is also eligible for Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C). Being from a close and supportive family, Dr. McClain’s working model for understanding wellness is positioned from a strength-based approach on how families thrive, despite the challenges they may face. Dr. McClain currently resides in Chicago, where she owns a therapy practice that serves children and families, and is an avid Chicago sports fan!
Dr. Jacqueline Salazar received a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Adler University and holds numerous certifications, such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Teaching Parenting the Positive Discipline Way. She is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). She is passionate about fostering positive connections between children and systems they are embedded in. She owns a therapy practice in Chicago that specializes in services for children and families, as well as consultation and supervision services for service providers. Dr. Salazar currently resides on the Southside of Chicago with her partner Adam, their son Quinn, and two cats Monkey and Cosmo.