Hi All,

My thoughts have been about our students and the struggles that some have. Self-regulation is a skill that we as individuals work on our entire life. So what is self-regulation? “Self-regulation is the ability to monitor and manage your energy states, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in ways that are acceptable and produce positive results such as well-being, loving relationships, and learning.” Executive functioning is a vital aspect of self-regulation. Five basics of executive functioning that help individuals to have good self-regulation are:

1. Coordinating metacognitive knowledge - Regulating cognitive and metacognitive knowledge, understanding one's own knowledge, and thought process.

2. Planning - Using a deliberate and organized approach to attack a task.

3. Monitoring - Assessing comprehension while progressing through a task, and checking for effectiveness, testing, evaluating and revising strategies.

4. Failure detection - While progressing through a task, detecting when there is a misunderstanding or an error is made.

5. Failure correction - When an error is detected, going back and correcting any mistakes. Through instruction in various self-regulation techniques students with learning disabilities can be successful at "the self-directive process through which learners transform their mental abilities into task related skills (Zimmerman, 2001)."

So how do you know if you or your child or you are struggling with self-regulation? Not all of these may apply but may help you as you search for direction.

1. Act overly silly or out of control

2. Has temper tantrums or meltdowns

3. Struggles with transitions between activities

4. Has difficulty taking turns

5. Struggles with being in close proximity with others

6. Moves to quickly or with to much force

7. Grabs throws or picks up things to impulsively

8. Has difficulty walking or waiting in line

9. Has difficulty in social situations such as talking to close or to loud or touch others

So how do you help yourself or your children develop self regulation skills?

1. Learn through games and activities

2. Calming techniques

3. Self -Awareness exercises

4. Mindfulness activities

Self-regulation can look different for each person, and often the circumstances around us can determine the long and short-term effects of self-regulation. As turbulence happens, developing and fine-tuning self-regulation skills can help bring balance and smooth out the turbulence. Have a wonderful week.

Sam Grabert

Resources & References

https://www.yourtherapysource.com/blog1/2020/01/19/what-is-self-regulation-2/

https://cehs.unl.edu/secd/self-regulation/

What is self regulation made easy and 5 fun games to teach self regulation

https://www.yout-ube-nocookie.com/embed/H_O1brYwdSY?autoplay=1&iv_load_policy=3&loop=1&modestbranding=1&playlist=H_O1brYwdSY

Six relaxation techniques

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/six-relaxation-techniques-to-reduce-stress

Seven simple grounding techniques for calming down quickly

https://drsarahallen.com/7-ways-to-calm/

17 self awareness activities

https://positivepsychology.com/self-awareness-exercises-activities-test/

Building self awareness

https://positivepsychology.com/building-self-awareness-activities/

5 simple mindful practices to start each day

https://www.mindful.org/take-a-mindful-moment-5-simple-practices-for-daily-life/

25 fun mindfulness activities for teens and children

https://positivepsychology.com/mindfulness-for-children-kids-activities/

Zimmerman, B.J. (2001). Theories of Self-Regulated Learning and Academic Achievement: An Overview and Analysis. In Zimmerman, B.J. & Schunk, D.H. (Ed.), Self-Regulated Learning and Academic Achievement: Theoretical Perspectives (pp. 1-65). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers.