Term
Summer 2025
Capstone
Capstone Project
Degree Name
MAEd
Facilitator(s)
Karen Moroz
Content Expert
Becca Jones
Abstract
Emotional regulation is a foundational skill in early childhood, closely linked to social skill development, mental well-being, and long-term academic success. Throughout this paper, researcher Lydia Caldwell explores the following question: what approaches can a preschool teacher use to support their students’ emotional regulation skills? Drawing from both literature and personal classroom experiences, this project was created with the author’s profession in mind. As a special educator who works with preschool students, Caldwell sees firsthand the amount of children struggling with emotional regulation, also referred to as self-regulation. The project will result in a series of flyers which serve as professional development. Flyers will be distributed to teachers who work with preschoolers. The author’s goal is to provide educators with research-based, practical SEL strategies for use within their classrooms, especially when thinking about self-regulation. Research has shown that emotional regulation is not an innate ability but one that must be explicitly taught, consistently modeled, and fostered within a safe and structured environment. Key findings include integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) into daily routines, using intentional language around emotions, practicing coregulation, and providing calming strategies through the classroom environment—such as feelings posters, sensory tools, and quiet spaces. These practices not only help children manage emotions in the moment but also build skills that support empathy, self-awareness, and effective problem-solving. Highlighting these approaches, this capstone emphasizes the idea that fostering emotional regulation in early learners is not separate from academic instruction, however a vital part of it. When children are equipped with emotional tools early in life, they are more likely to engage in learning, build positive relationships, and navigate challenges successfully.
Project Type
Professional Development
Keywords
Early Childhood, Staff Development, Teachers/ Teaching
Recommended Citation
Caldwell, Lydia, "What Approaches can a Preschool Teacher use to Support Their Students’ Emotional Regulation Skills?" (2025). School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects. 1114.
https://digitalcommons.hamline.edu/hse_cp/1114
dc_type
text
dc_publisher
DigitalCommons@Hamline
dc_format
application/pdf
dc_source
School of Education Student Capstone Projects