Self-regulation is a child's ability to manage emotions and behavior. It includes being able to resist highly emotional reactions to upsetting events, to calm down when upset, to adjust to a change in expectations, and to handle frustration without an outburst. Kids will do well if they can.
We must teach them the strategies to be successful!
Zones of Regulation: At school, we teach the children to learn how to identify what zone they are in.
We must teach them the strategies to be successful!
Zones of Regulation: At school, we teach the children to learn how to identify what zone they are in.
Once a child can identify their emotions we can start to learn to calm our brain. The next video is great for parents and children start to talking about what is happening in our brain.
As adults we need to help our children recognize their emotions before they get too big. Children look to the adults to help them regulate their emotions.
Ways to help your child at home:
Ways to help your child at home:
Build a toolkit to help your child regulate:
-Empower your child to talk about what helps them calm when they are mad, sad, disappointed. Start by selecting 3-5 items that your child find helpful. Store items in a box.
-Encourage your child to use their toolbox when they are in the yellow or blue zone. Hopefully catching them before they hit the red zone!
-Once your child is calm you can help them solve the problem. There are videos below to start conversations with your child.
-Empower your child to talk about what helps them calm when they are mad, sad, disappointed. Start by selecting 3-5 items that your child find helpful. Store items in a box.
-Encourage your child to use their toolbox when they are in the yellow or blue zone. Hopefully catching them before they hit the red zone!
-Once your child is calm you can help them solve the problem. There are videos below to start conversations with your child.
Build a calm down corner:
If your child escalates quickly have them help you design a calm down corner or safe spot. You want to encourage them to use this special spot before they get to the red zone. You may store your child's toolkit in this special spot.
Find:
~a special blanket,
~a few pillows and
~a small light
~small tent, oversized pillow or beanbag chair
Build this area with your child so it is a special spot for help them.
Always check in with your child after they have had time to calm down and celebrate their ability to manage strong emotions by using their tools.
If your child escalates quickly have them help you design a calm down corner or safe spot. You want to encourage them to use this special spot before they get to the red zone. You may store your child's toolkit in this special spot.
Find:
~a special blanket,
~a few pillows and
~a small light
~small tent, oversized pillow or beanbag chair
Build this area with your child so it is a special spot for help them.
Always check in with your child after they have had time to calm down and celebrate their ability to manage strong emotions by using their tools.
What is going on in my brain? Teach your child how their brains work and how to regulate it by working through lessons on the Mind Up Website. This is a powerful exercise to do with your child!
At school:
Remind your child that the staff are there to help them. If they feel their emotions bubbling,
~talk to an adult,
~ask for a break, or
~ask to go to the bathroom or for a drink.
Talk to their teacher about what works to help them calm at home.
Remind your child that the staff are there to help them. If they feel their emotions bubbling,
~talk to an adult,
~ask for a break, or
~ask to go to the bathroom or for a drink.
Talk to their teacher about what works to help them calm at home.
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Fidgets:
At times, children are able to use fidgets to help regulate their mind. However, it important for a child to understand that a fidget is a tool not a toy. To help them understand watch the video. |
Solving Problems: If there is a problem, we are here to help them solve it and to reach a solution that works for everyone involved. Start by helping your child learn that problems come in different sizes.
Positive problem solver: With regular practice, they can learn to do this independently.
Children's brains will find what they look for. If a child is always asked to share events that cause joy, happiness or courage their brain will find more samples of these events. However, if we constantly ask children about negative experiences, problems or frustrations that is what their brain will focus on!
Great Websites to support parents
Zones of Regulation: https://www.zonesofregulation.com/index.html
Mind up: https://mindup.org/
Worries or anxiety:
https://www.anxietycanada.com/
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/child-teen-mental-health/ease
Mental Health: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/child-teen-mental-health
Zones of Regulation: https://www.zonesofregulation.com/index.html
Mind up: https://mindup.org/
Worries or anxiety:
https://www.anxietycanada.com/
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/child-teen-mental-health/ease
Mental Health: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/child-teen-mental-health
Still concerned? Reach out for extra help!
At school:
-talk to your child's teacher
-ask the school counsellor for ideas to help your child or contacts to outside agencies
-ask teacher for a School Based Team Meeting to generate ideas to support your child
-set up a meeting with the administration
In the community:
-make an appointment with your family doctor. It is best to start conversations with your doctor when you have small problems.
-talk to your child's teacher
-ask the school counsellor for ideas to help your child or contacts to outside agencies
-ask teacher for a School Based Team Meeting to generate ideas to support your child
-set up a meeting with the administration
In the community:
-make an appointment with your family doctor. It is best to start conversations with your doctor when you have small problems.
-self-refer your child for an intake at Child and Youth Mental Health. This is free Mental Health Support for children in BC. Call 778-699-2272 to arrange an intake meeting to determine how to best meet your child's needs!
If in crisis, call 911 or take your child to the Emergency Department of your local hospital
Together we can teach your child to manage their emotions and solve problems!