How to Use Art for Emotional Regulation in Children

How to Use Art for Emotional Regulation in Children - A gentle guide for parents, educators, and everyone raising children with heart

Emotional regulation is one of the most important skills a child can learn. And art is a wonderful tool for this: simple, accessible, playful, and profound. At mamicacreativa.com, we believe in the power of play and creativity to transform emotions into something a child can understand, express, and manage.

Art doesn’t require talent. It doesn’t require perfection. It only needs a curious child and a present adult.

Why art helps with emotional regulation in children

• It offers an alternative language for emotions that are hard to put into words.

• It reduces tension through movement, color, and rhythm.

• It helps children observe themselves without criticism or pressure.

• It creates a safe space where emotions can be expressed without “good,” “bad,” or “wrong.”

• It strengthens the parent–child bond, because art becomes a moment of connection.

Simple art activities for emotional regulation

1. Drawing emotions

Ask the child: “If your emotion were a shape or a color, what would it look like?”

• Great for: anger, frustration, sadness.

• What happens: the child externalizes the emotion, puts it on paper, and can look at it with more calm.

Tip:   Don’t interpret the drawing. Just ask: “Would you like to tell me about it?”

2. The Calm Box

A small box where the child keeps their favorite materials:

• thick markers

• playdough

• stickers

• colored paper

• a brush and a small watercolor set

When emotions run high, the child knows they can go to the box.

3. Playdough for release

Modeling is excellent for physical tension.

• Squeezing, pressing, stretching, tearing, rebuilding.

• It helps release emotional energy safely.

For anger: firm playdough that requires pressure. For sadness: soft playdough, easy to shape.

4. “This Is How I Feel Today” collage

Cut images from magazines or prints and let the child create a collage of their current state.

• Great for mixed emotions.

• The child sees that emotions can be combined, transformed, rearranged.

5. Repetitive art (doodles, mandalas, lines)

Repetition calms the nervous system.

• Wavy lines

• Dots

• Spirals

• Small repeated shapes

Perfect for anxious or restless children.

6. Visual journal for kids

A notebook where the child can draw daily “how they feel.”

• It doesn’t have to be pretty.

• It doesn’t have to be complete.

• It’s a personal space, not an art project.

How to use art during difficult moments

When the child is angry

• Offer large paper and thick tools.

• Encourage strong, big, fast lines.

• Big movement releases energy.

When the child is sad

• Choose watercolors or soft crayons.

• Fluid colors help express emotions gently.

When the child is anxious

• Suggest repetitive drawing or coloring mandalas.

• Rhythm brings calm.

When the child is overwhelmed

• A short activity: 2 minutes of doodling.

• Or playdough for release.

How to turn art into a healthy family habit

• Create a small “creative corner”

It doesn’t need to be perfect. A box with materials is enough.

• Make a short ritual

5 minutes after kindergarten/school: “Let’s draw how our day was.”

• Normalize emotions

Say often: “All emotions are welcome. Let’s draw them.”

• Be a model

If they see you drawing to calm down, they will learn to do the same.

Conclusion

Art is a magical tool for children’s emotional regulation. Not because it “fixes” emotions, but because it offers a safe space for them to be expressed. At mamicacreativa.com, we believe in the power of creativity to bring calm, connection, and confidence — for both children and parents.