One of the many, many skills kids start to learn in their primary school years is how to Self-Regulate. Self-regulation is the ability to manage feelings, mood and behaviours. Being able to consistently regulate their own feelings is a significant task for a young person but it is a valuable skill to have. Learning to self-regulate helps children pay attention to tasks and to keep themselves in check. This relates to being overly excited, frustrated, tired or angry.To help the students in Division 13 self-regulate we take exercise breaks and deep breathing breaks. When it is appropriate I also use sissel seats, hand fidgets, break cards and even mint gum. Everyday we talk about being "ready to learn" and the strategies that are sometimes required to have a calm body and mind so that one can learn. Some of the strategies we use in our class to calm an angry or overly excited brain/body are listed on a chart we keep in the class.
Children's emotions can be pretty powerful and even though my goal is to help each child manage these emotions, it is also important for children to know that everyone feels this way sometimes and that it is okay! An extremely effective way for children to learn about self-regulation is from other children. The video clip below is a fantastic example of children speaking about their emotions and how they self-regulate.
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Ms. Shawna WoodPassionate about teaching, learning, inclusion and kindness. Archives
August 2019
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