Self-regulation in Early Childhood: Seeing Work Through to Completion or Keep Trying!

The foundation of self-regulation happens primarily in the first five years of life.  When a child experiences challenges or frustrations, we see this as an opportunity to help the student learn. The most powerful way we can help children learn self-regulation is by modeling and scaffolding it during ordinary activities.

At Abintra, the Early Childhood program promotes self-regulation through providing choice and the opportunity to make decisions.  As children grow and learn, they internalize one behavior, then they move to learn self-regulation in a new area, always building on the self-regulation skills they began in infancy. As an infant, a child learns to self-soothe after basic needs are met. Toddlers learn to feed themselves. Young children learn to pour, cut, take turns, and interact with peers.  Regardless of the area of learning, we want the children to have the message that, even if something is difficult, they can complete it with concentrated effort.  Seeing a decision or work through to completion is essential in education, and for success in life.

Each child is different.  Some find frustration in getting along with peers, or in following classroom routines, or in pursuing a specific area of work.  Conferences are a great opportunity to discuss your child’s individual needs, and to work with the guides to develop strategies for creating consistent modeling of self-regulation which will benefit your child at school and at home.  At Abintra, we view the child, the guides, and the parents as members of a team who work together to support the growth, development, and education of the individual child.