Emotion Coaching Your Child
A parenting worksheet teaching five emotion coaching steps (notice, connect, validate, name, limit and problem-solve) with practice rewriting typical responses.
1-page fillable PDF · US Letter (prints on A4) · Parenting · Emotion coaching
- Approach / concern
- Family Therapy
- Technique
- Parenting · Emotion coaching
- Format
- Fillable PDF, 1 page (US Letter / A4)
- Access
- Pro and Advanced plans (3-day free trial)
- For
- Licensed clinicians to use with clients
- Updated
- October 2026
Key facts
What is the Emotion Coaching Your Child?
Emotion coaching is a parenting style that acknowledges and validates children’s emotions while guiding behaviour, supporting emotional intelligence and self-regulation.
Why it works
Gottman (1997) described emotion coaching and its links to children’s emotional and social competence. Siegel and Bryson (2011) emphasize connecting with feelings before redirecting behaviour.
When to use it
- Parents of children aged 2-12
- Tantrums and big feelings
- Parent training
- Family therapy
How to use it in session
- Learn the five steps.
- Review typical situations.
- Rewrite responses.
- Practise and reflect.
- Review progress.
Clinician tips
- Validation isn’t permission for any behaviour.
- Coach parents’ own regulation first.
- Adapt to the child’s age.
Worked example
Sharing with clients
Members can download the PDF to print or email, or copy a private client link from the download box. Your client opens the link and downloads the worksheet on any device. No client account is needed, and nothing your client writes is stored on TherapyAid.
Frequently asked questions
Doesn’t validating feelings reward bad behaviour?
No. You validate the feeling and still set limits on behaviour.
What age is emotion coaching for?
It can be adapted from toddlers to teens.
References
Gottman, J. M. (1997). Raising an emotionally intelligent child. Simon & Schuster.
Siegel, D. J., & Bryson, T. P. (2011). The whole-brain child: 12 revolutionary strategies to nurture your child’s developing mind. Delacorte Press.
This worksheet is an educational tool for use by, or under the guidance of, a licensed or registered mental-health professional. It is not a diagnostic instrument or a substitute for clinical judgement. If a client is in crisis in Canada, call or text 9-8-8 or call 9-1-1.
