Early childhood research shows that very young children don’t learn to manage big emotions by being told to calm down; they learn by being calmed with. Because infants and toddlers lack the neural pathways to self-soothe, they rely on the steady, grounded presence of their caregivers to help settle their activated nervous systems.

The featured article from Zero to Three delivers actionable, age-based strategies educators can apply immediately. Learn how switching from correction to co-regulation during daily routines, transitions, and tantrums actively builds the brain architecture young children need for lifelong resilience.