The Scoop on Self-Regulation

We at PreschoolFirst define self-regulation as a child's ability to:

• Direct his/her actions and play
• Stay focused on a task and "pay" attention
• Remember instructions and follow basic rules

A child who uses these self-regulation skills and handles most situations predictablyis one who is developing critical skills that will help him/her be successful in preschool and primary school. One crucial one best practice we believe contributes to good self-regulation is age appropriate curriculum and hands-on activities that are meaningful to children's lives.

What about you? What do you do in your early learning program that contributes to a child's development of self-regulation?