6 Activities to Teach Self-Regulation for Elementary Students

Elementary education is a time of growth, fun, and learning. A key part of this learning journey is self-regulation. When we talk about “self regulation activities for elementary students,” we are highlighting ways to help kids manage their feelings and actions.

As we delve deeper, you’ll discover its essence, how it stands apart from similar concepts, and the engaging activities that promote it.

Table Of Contents

What is Self-regulation in Elementary Students?
How Self Regulation Differs From Self Control or Self Awareness
6 Self Regulation Activities for Elementary Students
The Essence of Self-Regulation in Elementary Years

What is Self-regulation in Elementary Students?

Self-regulation is the skill that helps students, from preschoolers to elementary ages, manage their emotions and behaviors. While self-regulation for preschoolers might be about not grabbing toys, in older kids, it’s about handling emotions during class.

How Self Regulation Differs From Self Control or Self Awareness

Self-regulation is choosing how to act based on emotions, while self-awareness is recognising those emotions, and self-control is resisting immediate reactions. These might seem similar, especially when considering self-regulation for preschoolers. However, they are distinct concepts:

Self-control is the ability to resist immediate temptations or distractions, like not grabbing a toy from another child’s hand.
Self-awareness revolves around recognising one’s own emotions and thoughts, understanding, for example, the feeling of frustration when a toy is taken away.
Self-regulation bridges these concepts. For elementary students, and even during the phase of self-regulation for preschoolers, it’s about recognising an emotion or impulse (thanks to self-awareness) and then choosing an appropriate way to respond or act (employing self-control).

6 Self Regulation Activities for Elementary Students

Self-regulation sets the foundational skill that influences a student’s ability to manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

improve self regulation for elementary students with these 6 activities

Here are six evidence-backed self regulation activities for elementary students:

Recognising emotions
Discussing stories
Managing time tasks
Conduct role-playing scenarios
Encourage them to express emotions through Art & Music
Support them in handling conflict

Let’s shed light on those self management activities for elementary students for further understanding and approaches.

1. Recognising Emotions

Using tools such as the “Zones of Regulation,” educators can help children understand and label their emotions. The program aligns emotions with colors, making it visually engaging and easy to understand.

Moreover, introducing emotion wheels in the classroom can aid students in identifying and associating their feelings with different colors. For instance, the ‘Blue Zone‘ can represent emotions like sadness or tiredness. By doing this, a child feeling anxious can identify their emotion as falling within the ‘Yellow Zone‘ and employ strategies to return to the ‘Green Zone‘ or calm state. This acts as a stepping stone towards greater emotional self-awareness.

2. Discussing Stories

Literature serves as a powerful tool to introduce self-regulation concepts. Choose stories that focus on characters who cope, adjust, and manage their emotions in various situations. Choosing a story where the protagonist feels overwhelmed (Blue Zone) but employs specific strategies to return to a calm state (Green Zone) helps children resonate with the characters and instills emotional intelligence. Discussing these stories can help students reflect on and understand the importance of self-regulation in everyday scenarios.

3. Managing Time Tasks

Establish structured time-bound activities, such as giving students 10 minutes of free reading or 5 minutes for a quick art activity. Using tools like sand timers or digital clocks provides a visual representation of time, enabling them to regulate their pace.

Here’s a simple guide to introduce time tasks:

Step 1: Introduce a Timer
Use a simple kitchen timer or a digital one. Show kids how it works and let them set it up sometimes.
Step 2: Start with Short Tasks
Give a task like coloring a picture or building a small toy tower. Set the timer for a short period, like 5 minutes, and challenge them to finish before the time runs out.
Step 3: Take Breaks
After a task, set the timer for a short break. This helps kids understand the difference between work time and break time.
Step 4: Increase Task Time Gradually
As kids get better at focusing, make tasks slightly longer.
Step 5: Celebrate On-Time Completion
If a task is done before the timer goes off, give praise or a small reward. This will motivate them to pay attention to time.
Step 7: Discuss Delayed Gratification
Talk to kids about waiting for something they want. For example, they might need to wait 10 minutes before playing a game. This teaches patience.
Step 8: Use Visuals
For kids who can’t read clocks yet, use sand timers or apps that show time passing visually. This makes the concept of time easier to understand, especially for preschoolers.

4. Conduct Role-Playing Scenarios

Acting out scenarios allows students to practice self-regulation in a controlled environment. With problem-solving scenario cards, students can work through challenges and identify solutions collaboratively. Reenacting everyday scenarios, like resolving a playground dispute, equips them with the practical skills needed to handle similar real-life situations. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Pick a Situation
Think of a common problem kids might face, like someone taking their toy or being called a name.
Step 2: Act it Out
Let one child be the “problem” person and another be the one trying to react well. You can also join in!
Step 3: Discuss the Scene
After acting out the situation, talk about what happened. Ask questions like, “How did that make you feel?” or “What could we do differently?”
Step 4: Swap Roles
Let the kids switch places so they can see how it feels from both sides.
Step 5: Use Props
Sometimes, using toys or other props can make the role-playing feel more real and can help kids get into their roles.
Step 6: Practice Often:
The more kids practice, the better they’ll get at handling real-life situations.

5. Express Emotions through Art & Music

encourage them to express emotions through art & music

Art and music are universal languages that often go beyond words. Children often feel a wide range of emotions but might not always have the words to convey them. Here’s where art and music come into play.

Drawing & Painting:
By allowing students to draw or paint, we give them a blank canvas to showcase their feelings. A stormy scene might indicate they’re feeling upset or frustrated, while bright colors and sunny views might indicate happiness. Teachers and caregivers can discuss these drawings with kids, helping them label and understand their feelings.
Crafts:
Hands-on activities like sculpting with clay or creating collages can help kids channel their energy and emotions in a productive way, acting as a way to calm their minds and focus.
Music Listening:
Playing different types of music and discussing how each one makes them feel. A soft lullaby might make one feel calm, while a fast-paced tune might energise them. Recognising how external factors like music can influence their emotions is a step towards self-awareness.
Music Making:
Using simple instruments or even just clapping hands, kids can create rhythms or tunes that mirror their inner emotions. Encouraging them to describe or tell a story about their music composition can offer insights into their feelings.
Dance:
Letting kids express themselves through movement to music can be both joyful and revealing. Dance allows for physical release, which is particularly beneficial for kids with a lot of energy or those who might be feeling restless.

6. Support Them in Handling Conflict

Dealing with arguments or fights can be tough for kids. However, learning to handle conflict helps them get along with others and grow up to be understanding people. Here’s how to support them:

Talk about Feelings:
Ask kids how they feel when someone takes their toy or says something mean. This helps them understand and name their feelings.
Use Stories:
Read stories about characters who have arguments and then make up. Talk about the story. Ask questions like, “What would you do?”.
Teach Calm-Down Techniques:
When kids get angry or upset, teach them ways to calm down. This can be taking deep breaths, counting to ten, or using other self regulation activities for elementary students.
Praise Good Choices:
When you see kids solving problems in a nice way, tell them they did a good job. This encourages them to do it again.

Building self-regulation skills in elementary students can pave the way for emotionally resilient, empathetic, and focused individuals ready to face the world.

The Essence of Self-Regulation in Elementary Years

The elementary years are transformative, laying the foundation for lifelong skills and habits. It paves the way for healthy emotional and social development. At UNIS Hanoi, we recognise the critical nature of these formative years and are dedicated to instilling strong self regulation activities for elementary students. If you’re committed to enhancing your child’s development, explore self-regulation strategies and apply IB Programmes at UNIS Hanoi. Now is the moment to shape your child’s bright future. Become a part of the UNIS Hanoi family and witness your child’s success!