Regulation Road – Session 5 – EYFS & KS1 Emotional Regulation Programme
Session 5 - Becoming a Regulation Mechanic
Key focus: empathy, communication and supporting others
Pit Stop 5 encourages children to think beyond their own emotions and begin recognising how they can respond with kindness and understanding when someone else is experiencing big feelings. Through engaging Situation Stories, discussions and practical activities, children become "Regulation Mechanics", learning to notice emotional clues, ask thoughtful questions and consider what another person might need.
Rather than trying to fix someone's feelings, children discover that being a supportive friend often means listening, showing empathy and knowing when to ask a trusted adult for help. This session helps children develop important social and emotional skills while reinforcing that everyone experiences emotions differently.
This carefully planned lesson provides meaningful opportunities for children to practise empathy, communication and problem-solving within a safe, supportive environment.
- recognise clues that suggest how someone else may be feeling
- understand that different people need different kinds of support
- suggest thoughtful strategies
- know when to ask a trusted adult for help
This ready-to-teach session includes detailed adult guidance, printable resources and engaging activities where the focus is not on fixing feelings but on listening, understanding and responding with empathy.
This resource is part of the Regulation Road Emotional Regulation Intervention - a structured six-session programme for EYFS and KS1.
Each Pit Stop builds on the previous one, gradually developing children's emotional vocabulary, self-awareness, understanding of body clues, emotional triggers, regulation strategies and empathy.
