Self-Regulation

Term used for taking control of your own body and behavior.

One of the most important things you can teach a student is how to control

his or her behavior independently (self-control).

Outside Control of Someone’s Behavior

• Your response to the behavior• Punitive responses (sent to office)• Physical intervention of any kind• Attempts to “control”

*If we rely on outside control, we are preparing the person for a controlled environment (like jail).

Self-regulation teaches …

• The person to recognize her own issues• The person to recognize her own body and

the messages the body sends to the brains• Independence• Self-reliance• The person to be a more productive and safe

member of society

Cognitive Behavioral Approach

• Teach the student to take notice of situations that typically cause them problems (recess, bus rides).

• Teach the student strategies to relax his body before he has to face difficult situations.

• Make a plan that both you and your student buy into that involves becoming a “first responder” (pre-empting a loss of control).