Managing Big Feelings and Emotional Overload and tips for emotional regulation
- Taryn van der Westhuizen
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
By Taryn – Paediatric Occupational Therapist, Nurtured Growth Therapy
Starting Prep is an exciting milestone, but it can also bring challenges for children who are still developing emotional regulation skills. Many four- to five-year-olds experience “big feelings” during the pre-Prep year as they navigate new expectations, changing routines, and the increasing social and cognitive demands of school readiness programs.
Emotional overload in the early years is common. When a child becomes overwhelmed, struggles with transitions, or has strong reactions to everyday situations, it is not a sign of poor behaviour. Instead, it reflects a developing nervous system still learning how to cope with change, uncertainty, sensory demands, and social complexity.
This blog explores why pre-Prep children experience emotional overload, what signs to look for, and Occupational Therapy strategies that help children manage big feelings and feel confident stepping into Prep.
Why Pre-Prep Children Experience Big Feelings
Children preparing for their first year of school are undergoing rapid development in emotional, social, cognitive, and sensory areas. Their brains are still learning to process information, understand emotions, manage frustration, and respond calmly when something unexpected happens.
Common contributors to emotional overload in the pre-Prep stage include:
1. Sensory Processing Differences
Busy classrooms, group activities, new environments, and unpredictable noise levels can overwhelm a child who is sensitive to sound, movement, touch, or visual input. Even for children without sensory sensitivities, the increased sensory load of school readiness activities can be tiring.
2. Limited Emotional Literacy
Children often feel emotions strongly before they can name or understand them. When a child cannot explain what is wrong, feelings build quickly and may result in tears, withdrawal, or outbursts.
3. New Routines and Expectations
Listening to teachers, following multi-step instructions, waiting turns, and transitioning between activities require skills that are still developing.
4. Fatigue
Long days, structured learning, social interactions, and new routines can contribute significantly to emotional overwhelm.
5. Developing Executive Functioning Skills
Impulse control, flexible thinking, and problem-solving are emerging skills. When these skills are still early in development, frustration or emotional reactions can occur more easily.
Signs Your Child Is Experiencing Emotional Overload
While each child is different, some common indicators include:
Meltdowns or strong reactions to small events
Avoiding group activities
Difficulty separating from parents
Becoming overwhelmed in busy or noisy environments
Getting easily frustrated when learning new tasks
Withdrawing or shutting down when things feel too big
Refusing transitions or changes in routine
Clinginess, anxiety, or control-seeking behaviours
Challenges following instructions in a group setting
These behaviours are a child’s way of communicating a need for support, predictability, or emotional connection.
How Occupational Therapy Supports Emotional Regulation in Pre-Prep Children
Paediatric Occupational Therapy is well-placed to support emotional regulation during the transition to school. OT focuses on the whole child—their sensory needs, cognitive skills, emotional development, and the environments they engage in.
Key areas of support include:
1. Sensory Regulation Strategies
By identifying a child’s sensory profile, OT can recommend ways to reduce overwhelm, such as:
Movement opportunities throughout the day
Deep pressure or heavy work activities
Calm spaces or quiet corners
Sensory tools to help maintain a regulated state
A regulated body is better able to learn, participate, and problem-solve.
2. Teaching Emotional Literacy
OT uses visuals, stories, games, and structured activities to help children:
Identify basic emotions
Recognise what their body feels like when emotions build
Communicate their needs more effectively
Understand early warning signs of overwhelm
This builds confidence and reduces frustration.
3. Developing Coping Skills
Children learn practical strategies such as:
Asking for help
Taking a movement break
Using breathing techniques
Practising positive self-talk
Persevering through challenges
These tools support success in Prep’s structured learning environment.
4. Strengthening Executive Functioning
OT supports skills that underpin school readiness, including:
Following multi-step directions
Waiting turns
Transitioning between activities
Planning and organising through play
Increasing tolerance for frustration
5. Supporting Parents and Educators
Consistency across home and school is essential. OT provides:
Clear strategies for the classroom and home
Visual supports
Transition plans for entering Prep
Individualised regulation plans
Practical Strategies You Can Use at Home
Here are some gentle, effective ideas to help reduce emotional overload during the pre-Prep year:
1. Create Predictable Routines
Children thrive on structure. Morning, after-school, and bedtime routines help reduce uncertainty, which supports better emotional regulation.
2. Use Visuals
Visual schedules help children understand what is coming next, reducing anxiety around transitions and expectations.
3. Prepare for Transitions
Provide warnings before changing tasks, such as, “Five minutes left to play, then pack away.” This helps children shift their thinking more smoothly.
4. Build Daily Movement Opportunities
Activities such as climbing, pushing, jumping, swinging, and animal walks support a well-regulated nervous system.
5. Teach Simple Emotional Language
Phrases such as “I feel frustrated”, “I need help”, or “I’m not ready yet” empower children to express themselves before emotions become too big.
6. Model Calm Responses
Children borrow regulation from adults. Keeping your voice slow and steady helps your child return to a calmer state.
Why Emotional Regulation Matters for Prep Readiness
Strong emotional regulation supports many of the skills needed for a smooth transition to school, including:
Confidence in new environments
Ability to follow instructions
Participation in group learning
Building friendships
Managing frustration
Trying new or challenging tasks
A child who can stay regulated has more capacity for learning, social connection, and positive school experiences.
When to Consider Occupational Therapy
It may be helpful to seek OT support if your child:
Has frequent meltdowns or strong emotional reactions
Struggles with transitions, separations, or new routines
Avoids busy environments or becomes easily overwhelmed
Has difficulty following instructions in a group setting
Shows sensory sensitivities
Struggles with frustration tolerance or coping skills
Needs extra support preparing for Prep
Early support can make a significant difference to a child’s confidence and readiness.
At Nurtured Growth Therapy, I support children and families with sensory regulation, emotional literacy, school readiness preparation, and practical strategies for home and the classroom. If you have concerns about your child’s emotional regulation or Prep readiness, I am here to help.
