Research on the Role of Parents and the Home Environment on Emotional Regulation in Children

A study published in Frontiers for Young Minds explored what helps young children, especially 3-year-olds, learn to manage their emotions, such as calming themselves when upset or staying composed when excited.

The researchers focused on certain factors, such as how parents interact with their children, how parents manage their emotions, and the environment at home.

Based on the findings, these factors greatly influence a child’s ability to manage their emotions — a skill we call emotional regulation. It’s also interesting to note that children who handled their feelings well were more helpful and less likely to misbehave at home.

This research emphasizes the positive effects of emotional regulation, as it shows that it increases cooperation at home and compassion toward others. Such skills are important for building strong relationships as our kids grow. 

Understanding the Research

To learn how family life affects children’s ability to manage their emotions, the researchers gathered detailed information about family dynamics and behaviors.

They started by asking parents of 90 children, aged around 3.5 years old, to complete questionnaires about their home environment. These questionnaires provided insights into factors like:

• Family income
• The level of busyness at home
• Noise or chaos at home

Moreover, parents and children participated in structured tasks together. This allowed the researchers to observe how they interacted and managed emotions in real time.

To understand how well children manage their emotions, researchers used the Emotion Regulation Checklist (ERC). On the other hand, parents completed the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), which provided insight into their own emotional regulation strategies.

As for the summary of the findings, the study found that children from higher-income families were better at managing their emotions, likely because financial stability may lead to a calmer, more supportive environment.

In contrast, children from chaotic, high-stress homes struggled more with emotional regulation. This suggests that a peaceful home helps children develop emotional skills.

Children who managed their emotions well had better behaviors, both at home and during tasks. They were also more helpful. 

Practical Strategies for Parents and Caregivers

As parents and caregivers, we all want to help our children grow into emotionally healthy, compassionate, and well-behaved individuals. Here are 3 tips to guide you:

Make peace in your home a priority

Children thrive in peaceful, organized spaces. Reducing chaos at home can help your child manage their emotions better. Try creating a routine, reducing noise, and setting aside quiet time for them to unwind.

Handle your own emotions calmly

Children learn by watching us. Show your child how you handle your own frustration or excitement. You can, for instance, speak openly about your own emotions and discuss calming strategies like deep breathing or taking a break.

Give children opportunities to help others

As you’ve learned, kids with better emotional regulation engage in more helping behaviors. Whether it’s helping you with chores, offering assistance to a friend, or taking care of a pet — these small acts of kindness allow them to strengthen their social skills.

The authors acknowledge that while their study provided important insights, there are still many areas for further research.

For instance, they recommend gathering input from other sources, such as a child’s teachers or other caregivers. They are also wondering if having siblings or being home-schooled might affect a child’s ability to manage emotions.

To help your child build strong emotional regulation skills, check out our Feelings Worksheets!