Using Play to Teach Emotional Regulation
Play isn’t just fun, it’s a powerful tool for teaching emotional regulation and coping skills to children with autism. By embedding learning into play, children can practice managing emotions in safe, engaging ways. If your child is already experiencing frequent meltdowns, start with our Handling Meltdowns & Big Emotions guide.
Why Play Helps
- Reduces stress by creating a positive, low-pressure environment
- Encourages communication and social interaction
- Builds problem-solving and self-regulation skills
Practical Play Activities
- Emotion Charades – take turns acting out feelings; label each emotion
- Role-Play Scenarios – practice common stressful situations, like sharing or transitions
- Calm-Down Play – bubbles, sensory bins, or playdough to teach pausing and focus
- Storytelling – create stories where characters experience big emotions and model coping strategies
Practicing these skills during play helps children access them more easily during real-life moments, including autism meltdowns.
Tips for Parents
- Follow your child’s interests—engagement matters most
- Keep activities short and predictable
- Praise attempts and effort, not just success
Related Resources
Our blog is full of great resources just for you. Check out ones related to this topic or see all of our articles here.
Supporting Communication During Big Emotions
Helping Autistic Kids with Losing: Strategies for Building Emotional Resilience
If you have concerns that your child has autism, contact your primary care physician. If you are looking for Applied Behavior Therapy, complete the Epicenter ABA Therapy intake form.