11 Connecting Games that Build Self-Regulation

Would you like to build children's self-regulation skills while strengthening your relationship and having fun?  Check out these games!

First, here's a little info about self-regulation:

Self-regulation is a complex process that allows children to appropriately respond to their environment. In other words, it helps them manage their emotions, thoughts and behavior. 
It's an active, intentional process that:

• Develops gradually
• Includes physical, emotional, behavioral and cognitive (thinking) skills
• Takes lots of practice and repeated learning opportunities
• Requires intentional planning by the teacher

Here are some examples of self-regulation skills that children learn over time:

• Taking turns
• Following directions
• Using words to communicate
• Staying on task
• Ignoring distractions
• Inhibiting impulsivity
• Planning one’s actions

• Reflecting on one’s thinking
• Cooperating with others
• Demonstrating empathy

And now, 11 Games that Develop Self-Regulation:

Most  of these games come from:  Tominey & McClelland (2011). Red light, purple light: Findings from a randomized trial using circle time games to improve behavioral self-regulation in preschool.  Early Education and Development, 22 (3). This research study shows that playing certain games helps children develop self-regulation skills. Try one of these or play any game that helps children stop and think, such as Simon Says. Just make it fun!

Relaxation Games

• Sinking Activity – Tell children to imagine that their bodies are very heavy and sinking to the floor, (guided relaxation)
• Breathing Buddies – Children take deep breaths, lying on their backs with a stuffed animal on their bellies
• “Eeping On” – Gently bounce a soft fidget toy on the child’s body

Refocusing Games

• Clapping Exercise – Use a series of claps with a certain pattern
• Conducting an Orchestra - Wave a conductor’s baton quickly or slowly and have children play instruments accordingly
• Drum Beats – Give directions for children to move a certain way when you beat the drum
• Elephant Stampede – Direct the children to mimic sounds of elephants close or far away

Behavioral Regulation Games

• Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders – Change up the parts to point to as you sing the song.  Have children point to one body part when you name another.
  
• The Freeze Game – Children dance and freeze into position when the music stops
• Mirror Game - Children take turns making different faces for a partner to imitate
• Sleep, Sleep! – Direct children to pretend to sleep then wake up as different animals

Have fun playing, connecting, and building self-regulation skills!  
Let me know how it goes, and please share some games that work for your children.

Resources:

• Florez, I. (2011). Developing young children’s self-regulation through everyday experiences. Young Children, 66 (4),46-51
• Gillespie, L. G., & Seibel, N. (2006). Self-regulation: A cornerstone of early childhood development. Beyond the journal: Young Children on the web. Retrieved from http://journal.naeyc.org/btj/200607/Gillespie709BTJ.pdf
• Rice, M. Understanding the importance of self-regulation for preschoolers.   http://www.ttacnews.vcu.edu/2012/02/