Techniques for teaching self-regulation– ability to understand and manage your own behavior and reactions:
- Talk about emotions with your child. For example, ‘Did you throw your toy because you were frustrated that it wasn’t working? What else could you have done?’
- Do not avoid situations, practice with support and advice.
- Jenga or blocks: Physically, stacking blocks helps to develop hand-eye coordination and fine-motor skills. Cognitively, stacking objects enriches a child’s problem-solving skills, creativity, as well as self-control and self-regulation.
- Musical Chairs: helps children learn how to control their bodies according to situational demands.
- Praise your child when he/she displays self-regulation for challenging situations.
- Help your child name difficult emotions.