Helping Kids Manage Big Feelings: How Pilates Builds Emotional Regulation
- admin84875
- Oct 1
- 3 min read
I’ll never forget the little boy who used to come into my sessions and melt down the minute something felt too hard. He wasn’t being “naughty,” he just didn’t have the tools yet to handle his big emotions.
Fast forward a few weeks of introducing him to Pilates, and we had a new routine: when he felt frustrated, we’d pause, take a breath together, and then move into a simple exercise he loved. Slowly but surely, he learned that he could calm himself down, reset, and try again.
That’s what emotional regulation looks like in real life. It’s not about “stopping tantrums.” It’s about giving kids the skills and strategies to manage how they feel, skills that will support them through school, friendships, and life.
And here’s the exciting part: Pilates is one of the most effective tools I’ve seen to help kids build emotional regulation.
Here’s how:
1. Movement + Breath = Calm
When kids connect their breath with movement, they learn to slow down and notice what’s happening in their body. A simple strategy is teaching them to take a deep breath as they bend forward or to blow out “candle breaths” while holding a stretch.
Try this: Next time your child is upset, have them sit tall, place hands on their tummy, and take three slow breaths while reaching arms up and down. You’ll see their body start to calm.
2. Build Confidence Through Wins
When children master a new move, whether it’s balancing on one leg, holding a plank, or completing an Incy Wincy Spider walk-out, their face lights up. These little wins matter. They grow a child’s self-esteem, which in turn makes them more resilient in handling emotions.
Try this: Choose one fun Pilates movement your child can practise and master. Celebrate progress, not perfection. Confidence grows from small wins repeated often.
3. Create Safe Spaces for Expression
Children regulate best in environments where they feel safe, supported, and understood. In our sessions at Kids Heart Pilates, we make space for kids to express frustration, excitement, or worry, and we use movement to guide those feelings back to balance.
Try this: At home, set aside a “movement corner.” A mat, a ball, or a cushion can become the safe spot for your child to move and reset when emotions get big.
4. Teach Healthy Coping Mechanisms
We can’t expect kids to “just calm down.” They need tools. Pilates provides structured, positive ways to release energy and reset the nervous system, far more effective than bottling it up or letting it explode.
Try this: When your child feels restless or upset, guide them through 3 rounds of “Rocketships” (squat, countdown, and jump to the sky). It channels energy in a healthy way and leaves them smiling.
Why This Matters
Helping kids regulate their emotions is not just about the moment. It’s about equipping them for the long term:
Staying calm under pressure
Building resilience in the classroom
Forming stronger friendships
Developing self-belief that lasts a lifetime
At Kids Heart Pilates, our mission is to ensure no child is left behind, and that includes supporting their emotional wellbeing as much as their physical skills.
Ready to Explore More?
If you’d like more strategies like these, my October Paediatric Practitioner Knowledge Corner special is open now. Inside you’ll find:
Child Development and Paediatric Programming
Pilates for Paeds
Paediatric Assessment Protocol
Exercise Database with NEW reformer exercises
Sensory Short Course
Let’s give every child the tools to thrive, physically, emotionally, and socially.