The Healing Effects of Tears, Tantrums, Play & Laughter

Children have an incredible capacity to release stress and trauma from their bodies—they are born knowing how to do so. When we understand this, we can shift our perspective on their big emotions and see them as a healthy process rather than something to suppress or "fix."

Understanding the Nervous System & Emotional Release

When children experience stress, their nervous systems respond in one of two ways. Some express a sympathetic (fight or flight) response, which might look like kicking, hitting, running away, or not listening. Others go into a parasympathetic (freeze) response, which can show up as thumb sucking, withdrawing into solo play, or clinging to a security object. These reactions are not signs of misbehaviour; they are signs that a child’s nervous system is trying to process and regulate overwhelming emotions.

How to Support Children Through Emotional Processing

The good news is that we can support children in working through these feelings rather than pushing them down.

1. Empathetic Listening

Holding space for children’s feelings without distraction, judgment, or trying to "fix" them helps them feel safe to release stored emotions.

2. Play as a Healing Tool

Laughter and play allow children to discharge stress in a natural and enjoyable way. Roughhousing, role-playing, and physical movement can help shift nervous system responses.

3. Loving Limits

Setting firm yet compassionate boundaries allows children to express their emotions fully while feeling safe and supported.

It’s not always easy to hold space for big emotions, but when children process their feelings through tears, tantrums, and play, stress leaves their bodies, their behaviour shifts, and they return to a state of calm and connection.

If you’re curious to explore this further, I’d love to support you and your family. Healing through connection is powerful—not just for children but for all of us.

Hi, I’m Rebecca.

I’m a parent coach, Aware Parenting Instructor, Soul Collage facilitator, and therapeutic play practitioner. I support parents, caregivers and child care professionals in healing from stress and trauma so they can nurture compassionate connections with themselves and the children in their care. If you’d like to explore ways to support your child’s emotional well-being, I invite you to: Join my Substack for insights on parenting, book a free discovery call, and explore my offerings to help you and children in your care flourish.

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