Why Emotional Regulation Matters in Childcare: What We Love About Dr. Becky’s Approach

At The Natural Nanny Collective, one thing we talk about often is the importance of emotional regulation, not just for children, but for the adults caring for them too.

Many of the families we work with are intentionally looking for caregivers who value connection, play, emotional awareness, and calm leadership inside the home. As a therapist owned nanny agency with a holistic approach to childcare, we believe the way adults respond to children during difficult moments matters deeply.

One resource our team has especially enjoyed learning from is Dr. Becky Kennedy and her work through Good Inside. We appreciate her focus on emotional regulation, connected parenting, and understanding what may be underneath children’s behavior. You can learn more through her website here: Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy

One of the ideas we come back to often is that behavior is communication. A toddler melting down, a preschooler hitting, or a child refusing to cooperate is not always simply “bad behavior.” Often, it can be a sign that a child is overwhelmed, overtired, overstimulated, disconnected, struggling with boundaries, or needing support regulating emotions.

Of course, children still need structure, consistency, and healthy limits. But we encourage the nannies we work with to approach those moments with calm leadership, curiosity, and connection whenever possible.

Some simple practices we value:
• Getting down to a child’s eye level
• Helping children name emotions
• Redirecting through play
• Prioritizing outdoor time and movement
• Remaining calm during emotional moments
• Limiting screen time in favor of active engagement

Many of our families are intentionally looking for nannies who naturally lean toward:
• Play based care
• Outdoor exploration
• Emotional connection
• Creativity and imagination
• Present, engaged interaction over technology

This philosophy aligns deeply with the heart of our agency. We believe children thrive when they feel safe, connected, understood, and actively engaged with the world around them.

If you are searching for a nanny who values connected, play based care and emotional attunement, we would love to connect with your family.

The Natural Nanny Collective is a therapist owned nanny agency serving families seeking thoughtful, intentional childcare rooted in connection, professionalism, and holistic care.

Schedule a consultation with our team to learn more about our approach and how we thoughtfully match families with caregivers aligned with their parenting philosophy.