Promoting Self-Regulation in Children: The Importance of Regulatory Partners

Most parents can recall a moment when their child threw a tantrum. Perhaps they were frustrated that they didn't get what they wanted and fell to the floor screaming or crying? Or, maybe they missed a nap and simply couldn't handle what was being asked of them? Regardless of the situation, a tantrum may be a perfectly normal response in early childhood, but in time, a child needs to learn healthier ways to express and cope with their emotions. This is called self-regulation, which is the ability to manage attention, thoughts, behaviors and emotions in ways that are acceptable and healthy. So, how can parents support their child in developing healthy self-regulation?   Occupational therapist and health coach, Kate Biederman, from St. David's Center for Child and Family Development joins Marti and Erin for part 2 of a 3-part series on the development of self-regulation in childhood. She discusses the many aspects of self-regulation, from activity regulation to emotional regulation. As Kate shares, adults play an important role in supporting development by being "regulatory partners." Learn how you can join your child in the process of building self-regulation by partnering with them as they begin to develop the skills they need to be happy and healthy. Walk away with a clear understanding of the three big tasks of regulatory partners and tips for implementing these at different ages and stages. You won't want to miss this in-depth discussion on self-regulation.   HOW WILL YOU EMBRACE THE ROLE OF "REGULATORY PARTNER"? Children need regulatory partners who can provide them with support as they develop the ability to regulate their attention, activity, and emotions. What task of regulatory partners are you already embracing and how does that show up in your parenting? Are there tasks you might consider practicing more and, if so, why? How can you model self-regulation for your child at any age?   WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SELF-REGULATION? ❉ FROM CO-REGULATION TO SELF-REGULATION: PARENT-CHILD INTERACTIONS THAT PREPARE OUR CHILDREN FOR LIFE. Tune into the first episode of the series on self-regulation with Melissa Williams from St. David's Center. Tune into this engaging and practical discussion about what is involved in co-regulation, with an emphasis on how to show, tell and practice together with our children. Melissa also highlights the importance of “rupture and repair,” describing how we can admit our mistakes at those times when we get it wrong with our kids (as we all do!), say we are sorry and tell our child what we will try to do differently the next time.   ❉ HELPING CHILDREN WITH ASD IMPROVE REGULATION AND FOCUS AT HOME AND SCHOOL: A CONVERSATION WITH KATE BIEDERMAN FROM ST. DAVID’S CENTER FOR CHILD & FAMILY DEVELOPMENT. As occupational therapist Kate Biederman describes in this Mom Enough episode, some children respond well to deep touch, while others find that aversive. Many children feel calm after they engage in what Kate calls “heavy work,” which includes climbing on a jungle gym or jumping on a mini-trampoline. While noise can be dysregulating, music with certain rhythms can be regulating and organizing. An uncluttered home environment and an unhurried schedule can help almost any child be calmer and more focused. As adults and children discover together what works, children ideally can build the self-awareness and independence to do what’s necessary when they begin to feel dysregulated. As Marti & Erin attest, it’s not only people with ASD who need to develop self-awareness and effective regulation. In our busy, noisy, fast-paced lives,