Self-Regulation in Early Childhood: A Lifelong Learning Journey

Self-regulation is a vital aspect of a child's emotional development. From the moment they are born, every response they have becomes part of their self-regulation journey. As an early years educator, you play a crucial role in helping children understand, process and control what they feel. In this article, we will discuss what self-regulation is, its importance in a child's emotional development, and ways to help children with their self-regulation journey.

What is self-regulation?

Self-regulation is the ability to react and control emotions, manage behaviors, and cope with different situations. It is a skill that we are not born with, but we learn. There are five different areas of self-regulation: Biological: A child’s energy levels and how they respond to what’s around them

Emotional: Controlling positive and negative emotions like excitement and fear

Social: Knowing and understanding social cues, and how to act in social situations

Prosocial: Knowing how to act with others and how to acknowledge their feelings

Cognitive: How a child processes their own thoughts and then uses that information

Given that children are new to the world, it is unrealistic to assume that they will possess the ability to manage their emotions when confronted with a large group of other children or when experiencing frustration and distress. It is worth noting that self-regulation is not a skill that exists in isolation but rather represents an initial major step in our journey to develop emotional control. As we will explore on the following page, this journey is a lifelong one.

Self-regulation and lifelong learning

Self-regulation lays the foundation for later learning, like executive functioning. Executive functioning is the set of skills that allow us to focus, keep organized, and get things done. It is also known as problem-solving, playing with an idea, thinking before acting, or staying focused. Self-regulation helps us understand our emotions, so we can be stable enough to get anything done in the first place. Without self-regulation, children will not be able to develop the essential skills they need to plan, make goals and display self-control.

Building a solid foundation

Self-regulation is not just about understanding when you're angry or sad. It's about teaching children how to manage their emotions in any situation they may find themselves in. This can be a struggle for young children. These five domains are massive asks of children if they don't have help or encouragement. As an early years educator, you can help by teaching them how to recognise and cope with their emotions.

How to help children process emotions

Processing emotions is the first step in self-regulation. Children need to be able to identify what they are feeling and why. They need to learn how to calm down when they feel overwhelmed or upset. As an early years educator, you can help by encouraging children to express their feelings and providing them with a safe space to do so.

The very first steps

The first step in self-regulation is to help children identify their emotions. Encourage them to use words to describe how they feel. Once they can identify their emotions, you can teach them how to calm down. Some calming techniques include taking deep breaths, counting to ten, or finding a quiet space. As an early years educator, you can help by modelling these techniques and encouraging children to use them when they feel upset.

Other ways to boost emotional development

There are many ways to boost emotional development in children. One way is to provide them with a safe and nurturing environment. Encourage positive relationships with their peers and help them develop social skills. Provide them with opportunities to engage in physical activities, creative expression, and imaginative play. Encourage them to try new things and learn from their mistakes.

Self-regulation is a critical aspect of a child's emotional development. As an early years educator, you play a crucial role in helping children understand, process, and control their emotions. By teaching children how to identify and cope with their emotions, you can help them build a solid foundation for lifelong learning. Remember, self-regulation is not just a skill; it is a lifelong learning journey.