iServi News | 19 March 2021 | Term 1, Week 6
Self-regulation and Caring for Others
Every now and then the unexpected arises and we are faced with a situation that throws us off balance. The ability to control how we feel and respond to this challenge is a powerful and reassuring skill. It is also a significant predictor of life success and satisfaction. Similarly, in the classroom, self-regulation has been shown to predict academic and social success.
Self-regulation is the ability to control and mange feelings and emotions. It is a learnt skill that with practice becomes automated. Most lesson enable students with the opportunity to practice self-regulation and we encourage our students to also use these skills outside the classroom.
An important skill that promotes self-regulation is to practice de-escalating strategies like learning calming techniques.
Modifying the intensity of responses and thinking before acting strategies.
These skills are very important especially when students have a heightened emotional response when playing that can lead to unsafe practices that hurt others.
Parents can help their child in self-regulating by making links between
- the past and the present, for example “rough play” as a toddler and “mucking” around as an adolescent
- feelings and behaviour for example when they are excited, they respond in a positive and safe way to the emotion
- thoughts and actions for example what are you thinking and how do you react.
By creating a self-regulation culture, it enables students to take responsibility for their actions it also rewarding and makes them feel better knowing that they are working and contributing harmoniously to safe classroom and play practices. Let’s work together to keep our school safe by caring and looking out for each other.
Mrs Franca Coutts
Vice Principal