NEWSLETTER

on self-regulation
August 18, 2014


SUPPORTING SELF-REGULATION IN CHILDREN

VOLUME I
Emotional Development
When children reach the age of 4-years-
old, they are able to verbalize a variety of
emotional self-regulation strategies. They
understand how to reduce their emotions
by blocking unpleasant sights and sounds
(Berk, 2013). They know they can talk to
themselves and they also know that they
can change their decisions and/or goals
(Berk, 2013). During this age, we see a
decrease in emotional flare-ups due to the
new strategies they have acquired. When
4-year-olds are able to shift their attention
away from frustration, managing their
emotions become more effective (Berk,
2013).
Promoting Self-Regulation
Warm, patient parents who use verbal
guidance, including suggesting and
explaining strategies and prompting
children to generate their own, strengthen
childrens capacity to handle stress (Berk,
2013, pg. 411). It is also helpful to provide
children this age with more than one
option. Allowing them to choose greatly
lowers the risk of them losing their
tempers. A creative way to promote self-
regulation is by playing games that
promote self-control such as red light,
green light or mother may I. Lastly,
parents who talk to their children about
difficult experiences and offer them ways
to handle anxiety foster emotional self-
regulation skills in children (Berk, 2013).
Conclusion
Good self-regulation skills are very
important for a childs social skills. Self-
regulation skills help children succeed in
the classroom and in relationships.
Children who have learned self-regulation
techniques tend to have better
relationships with their teachers and
classmates, and do better academically
(Hoffman, 2010). Self-regulation enables
children to treat others with compassion
and kindness and experience healthy
relationships that may last a lifetime.



What to do when your child
hits out of anger
All children experience anger however most
children with poor self-regulation skills might not
have been taught how to handle their anger.
Children first need to recognize that they are
feeling angry. Adults can help with this in several
ways such as providing children with an emotion
chart or demonstrating to them different
emotions. Next, adults should give children
strategies to calm down before acting out like
counting to 10, taking deep breaths or walking
away (NMHECCF, 2003).
Dealing with children who fear
the classroom
It is best for parents to provide their children with
a sense of warmth and care while gently
encouraging their independence (Berk, 2013). It is
also best for parents to talk to the teacher to find
out if there is anything frightening or disturbing
the child such as too much noise or too many
people (Berk, 2013).

Self-Regulation in 4-year-olds
by Nicole Chandler