Most parents will be familiar with what it doesn’t look like!
Self-regulation is your childs ability to understand and manage their own behaviour and reactions. It helps children and teenagers learn, behave well, get along with others and become independent.
Self-regulation begins to develop in the toddler and preschooler years and continues to develop into adulthood.
When a child is skilled at self-regulation they’re better able to:
- Ignore critical or hurtful comments
- Focus attention on work rather than on inner feelings such as self-doubt or anxiety
- Use self-talk to encourage themselves when anxious or discouraged
- Ask for help when needed
- Express feelings in socially acceptable ways
- Work cooperatively with peers
- Cope with change and ‘transitions’ – e.g. manage themselves during changes of activities such as going back into class after lunch time
- Wait patiently
It is important to remember that kids are kids and should not be expected to ‘be good’ all the time. Self regulation becomes a problem when a child has persistent ‘melt-downs’ or is so emotionally fragile that their lack of resilience seems to get in the way of them enjoying their life and learning.
For more information go to Self-Regulation in Children
