Self-regulation is the process upon which humans manage responses. This can be conscious or unconscious. Thanks to self-regulation, people can manage frustration, cope with unfulfilled needs, and work towards achieving goals.
Human beings develop this skill from early childhood and parent support is key. But how to know if your child is struggling with self-regulation? If problems arise in this regard, it’s better to catch them sooner than later.
How to know if my child is having self-regulation issues?
A good parameter is to evaluate a child’s behaviour. If they are having tantrums and meltdowns regularly, it could be a sign. Kids may also show overly silly behaviour or lose control often. Parents must pay attention to their children’s attitude towards activities and competition. When struggling with this problem, little ones can have difficulties taking turns, sharing, making lines, or waiting.
This can affect social relationships as it causes difficulties to deal with one’s environment. For example, a child may struggle when interacting with other kids. They usually speak loudly or stand too close to others.
It also helps to observe the body language. Watch if your son or daughter is moving too fast or too strongly, or if they can’t stay still for long. Sometimes they may touch or throw things all of a sudden. Emotional dysfunctionality can lead to problems in other areas too. That’s why self-regulation is so important in the early years.
Activities and fun games to teach kids self-regulation
First, let us establish four types of activities. The following practices can help your child to become calmer and self-controlled:
- • Learning through activities and games
- • Mindfulness exercises
- • Self-awareness practices
- • Calming techniques
Next, you’ll find a list of games and activities for this purpose.
Game #1 – Red and green light
What you need
This game is recommended for children between 3 and 7 years old. You’ll need an open space and a group of kids.
Instructions
One person is assigned as a traffic cop (if the children are too young, this can be an adult). The cop will stand in the middle of the room with his/her back to the children. He says, ‘green light’ and the players must run towards the finish line. When he says the words ‘red light’, all must stay till in the place they have reached.
If the traffic cop catches a person moving, the latter must come back to the starting line. When one of the players reaches the finish line without being ‘caught’, they become the new cops.
Objectives
Children will train in listening and following instructions. This practice can lead to better self-control and breaking bad habits like nail-biting. Participants also inhibit impulses and develop gross motor skills.
Game #2 – The freeze game
What you’ll need
Play this game with children between 3 and 7 years old. You can play in any indoor or outdoor space. You’ll need a music player.
Instructions
The children dance to the music and must freeze when it stops. Encourage them to dance according to the tempo (slowly to slow music and faster to fast music). After they have grasped the instructions, you can reverse them (faster to slow music and vice versa).
Objectives
This game will help develop listening skills and improve gross motor aptitude. Children will learn to control their bodies and understand boundaries.
Game #3 – Wacky Relay
What you’ll need
This is a game for kids between 3 and 10 years. You’ll need an object they can carry, and it’s played in pairs.
How to play
Each pair of children will carry an object between two designated parts of their bodies, e.g., shoulders, foreheads, hands, arms, elbows, etc. The challenge is to make it to the finish line without dropping the object. The larger the object, the easier the game. You can choose smaller items for older children to challenge them.
Objectives
The game demonstrates the importance of teamwork. It also makes kids feel comfortable being close to their peers. It improves social skills and encourages to control emotions.
Game #4 – Ready, set, go
What you’ll need
This is another game for children between 3 and 10 years. You only need a group of kids and an open space.
Instructions
This is a simple race, but with a twist. Before starting, the coordinator must say ‘ready, set, go’. The word ‘go’ can be changed for another one. The main point is that they shouldn’t start running before hearing the agreed word.
Objectives
‘Ready, set, go’ encourages self-control and listening. It provides training in resisting temptations too.
Game #5 – Balloon tap
What you’ll need
You can play with a group of kids standing up in a circle. You’ll need several balloons (from 5 to 10, depending on the number of participants).
How to play
Children will be divided into two groups: A and B. When the coordinator gives the order ‘group A’, only group A can tap the balloon. The same with group B. Participants must remain attentive in order not to lose.
Objectives
Balloon tap teaches children interaction practices and develops listening skills. It fosters teamwork and the ability to follow instructions.
Final thoughts
Behaviour issues can be addressed in different ways. Sometimes, therapy and professional advice can help. Yet, nothing keeps you from fostering these values in your child through games and activities that you can all enjoy.
Practising mindfulness, body control activities, and instruction-based games help children achieve a higher level of emotional intelligence.