Two Self-regulation modeling strategies for Teachers

"Self-regulation refers to the ability to control your behavior and manage your thoughts and emotions in appropriate ways" (Herndon, 2024).

Self regulation requires emotional awareness and the ability to make adjustments to actions and behaviors. Part of self-regulation include managing difficult emotions, calming down, and staying focused. Everyone experiences intense emotions but not everyone knows how to cope with them. Being able to recognize them, acknowledge them, face them, and letting them go demonstrates emotional intelligence.

Modeling

1. Set up a positive environment

Creating a supportive and healthy classroom environment can look many different ways. Most teachers implement a calming area for their students with visuals on how to address difficult emotions. Teaching students 'the procedure' allows you to set up expectations about classroom behavior and how to process intense emotions in front of others. Some other techniques that may help include teaching them simple yet meaningful skills such as organization, time management, and focus. These diminish the chances for frustration, confusion, and outbursts during and in between tasks (Parish, 2018).

2. Practice and Scaffolding

Sometimes children are overwhelmed or their processing speed isn't quick enough. Breaking down instructions and providing guidance for how they should they complete their work can also reduce the chances of emotional outbursts (Parish,2018). As they get more comfortable completing the work, you can step back and allow them to work on their own.

Role plays work miracles like reading! role playing allows children to put themselves in other's shoes and think of situations in new ways they never have before. It is specifically effective for developing social skills and emotional intelligence. It also provides them with tools to handle overwhelming emotions.

Self regulation is an essential skill in life for handling conflict and undesirable situations. It also helps and supports their mental health in the long run!

References

Parrish, N. (2018). How to Teach Self-Regulation. Edutopia. Retrieved from: https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-teach-self-regulation

Herndon, J.R. (2024). What Is Self-Regulation? Very Well Health. Retrieved from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/self-regulation-5225245