Early Childhood Specialties
  • Home
  • About ECS
    • Testimonials & Reviews
    • About EEPWORM Products
  • Goods & Services
    • Keynotes & Conference Sessions
    • Child Care Training, Coaching & Consulting >
      • Teacher Training
      • Training for Administrators
      • Coaching
      • Consulting
    • Children's Presentations & Products >
      • EEPWORM Products
  • Resources
    • Blog
  • Store
    • News about our Products
  • Contact Us

11 Connecting Games that Build Self-Regulation

12/22/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
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
Picture

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!
Picture
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
Picture
Picture
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/
0 Comments

    Author

    I'm Diane Goyette, a Child Development Specialist, Trainer, Consultant and Keynote Speaker.  I'm excited to share my blog! 
    ​Whether you are a child care provider or administrator, a teacher, a parent, or a helping professional who supports young children and families, I hope you get some helpful tips to make your job easier and more enjoyable! 

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020

    Categories

    All
    Adult Child Relationships
    Autism
    Connecting Games
    Curriculum Areas
    Diversity
    Emotional Support
    Encouragement
    Equity & Inclusion
    Holidays
    Infants & Toddlers
    Language & Literacy
    Mindfulness
    Physical Activity
    Play
    Positive Guidance
    School-Age Children
    Self Care
    Self Regulation
    Social Emotional Learning

    RSS Feed

Ways to Contact Us:
Schedule an Appointment
Call or Text:  713-540-7884 
Email:  info@earlychildhoodspecialties.com
Fill out a Contact Form 
Fill out a Service Request Form
Follow earlychildhoodspecialties for encouragement, teaching tips and more!
Follow eepworm for child-friendly posts!
Privacy Policy 
© 2013-2023 Early Childhood Specialties LLC. All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • About ECS
    • Testimonials & Reviews
    • About EEPWORM Products
  • Goods & Services
    • Keynotes & Conference Sessions
    • Child Care Training, Coaching & Consulting >
      • Teacher Training
      • Training for Administrators
      • Coaching
      • Consulting
    • Children's Presentations & Products >
      • EEPWORM Products
  • Resources
    • Blog
  • Store
    • News about our Products
  • Contact Us