Sue Asquith - early childhood consultant
15 July 2019
What is self-regulation?
The subject of self-regulation is complex, but, in simple terms, it could be described as the ability to recognise and manage your own energy states, emotions, behaviours and attention, in a socially acceptable way. Self-regulation and executive function skills enable us to plan, think, problem solve, interact with others, monitor and control our own behaviour, adjusting the ways in which we behave according to where we are.
Why a blog about self-regulation?
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) reforms have included terms such as self-regulation and executive for the first time. Under the reforms the seven areas of learning and development remain the same but early learning goals (ELGs) have changed. The prime area of learning of Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) specifically links to this blog. Changes to PSED change the current aspects and ELGs of 'making relationships', 'self-confidence and self-awareness', and 'managing feelings and behaviour' to new ELGs of 'self-regulation', 'managing self', and 'building relationships'.
The DfE have released an early adopter version of the 'Statutory framework for the early year’s foundation stage 2021'. This might be a useful read, noting that only sections 1 and 2 have been updated at this stage and the national roll is not until September 2021. The revised Development Matters document can be found here.
We are not born with self-regulation skills
Though we’re not born with them, babies have the ability to learn self-regulation skills. In their earliest years, babies and young children benefit most from tuned-in adults who can help soothe them when they are feeling hungry, tired, thirsty, lonely and afraid, etc. Parents and carers handling babies in a caring and sensitive way are helping to build important brain connections for self-regulation and resilience in their new-born’s brains.
We can support babies and young children in many ways. If babies are fed, changed and cuddled in a kind and timely way, they are learning that they are meaningful, that they can rely on others and that their distress can be eased. This helps form the positive foundations of self-regulation.
As toddlers, young children become more mobile, investigating and sometimes asserting their independence. Though they want to be off exploring their environment, they will also keep returning to their familiar adult(s) for a quick, reassuring cuddle.
Two-year-olds can easily become frustrated. They may not yet have enough language to express their opinions but still want to assert their independence. They can have some overwhelming feelings and they need our support and empathy to understand what these feelings are and to help them manage them.
Adults can help children to feel emotionally and physical safe. We need to share our calmness and model coping strategies, not add fuel to their fiery feelings. We can help children at this age learn about their feelings and emotions and how to express them verbally rather than physically. It is important to stick to any ‘rules’ and be consistent at this stage of development.
Over time, with our nurturing, understanding, help and support, young children will gain more understanding, skills and control. This enables them to take over the reins and to self soothe when they are upset or calm down when they are over-excited.
We use self-regulation skills every day!
As children get older their emotional behaviour, communication skills, patience and independence skills mature. They will have learned what they like and dislike, and hopefully some strategies to help them to stay calm and cope. These skills will also help them to interact with others, build friendships, share ideas and experiences with other children and adults.
Children may find that there are different expectations of their behaviour at home from those in childcare. To further complicate matters, in childcare there may be a rule that we walk indoors but they can move quicker, run and climb whilst playing outside. The rules and expectations may change again if walking by a busy road on the school run. Children need their adults to be consistent applying the ‘rules’ and with help, understanding and guidance when things go wrong or they find something frustrating or difficult.
All of this building and development combines to improve a child’s executive functioning and working memory. Supporting a child to develop their self-regulation helps build the skills that we need as we grow – for instance, to get out of bed, have a shower, get dressed, have breakfast and plan what we need for the day ahead. School children may have to hold a set of instructions in their head whilst settling down to a task. They also use impulse control skills to ward off distractions such as the urge to do something they would rather be doing!
About the author
Sue has more information in her book ‘Self-Regulation Skills in Young Children; Theory and Practical Activities for Practitioners and Parents’ published 21 April 2020 by Jessica Kingsley Publishers UK.
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Resources from PACEY