Self-Regulation in the Classroom

Over the past few weeks, we have been working to promote Self-Regulation in the classroom.

What is Self-Regulation?

According to Dr. Stuart Shanker, self-regulation refers to how people manage energy expenditure, recovery and restoration in order to enhance growth. Effective self-regulation requires learning to recognize and respond to stress in all its many facets, positive as well as negative, hidden as well as overt, minor as well as traumatic or toxic.

Our goal is to have students that are calm, alert - and happy! To that end we have been working on classroom routines and expectations so that children feel safe and can look forward to play-based learning in a calm environment.

Our little ones are becoming accustomed to talking about the Zones of Regulation and identifying what zone they are in:

• Blue - Sad, Tired
• Green - Happy, Calm and Alert
• Yellow - Silly
• Red - Angry, Very Upset

We are helping them learn how they can get into the optimal zone - the Green Zone - by:

• identifying the zone they're in
• belly breathing
• meditating
• taking a break
• going for a movement break 
• using words to express their feelings
• drawing a picture/writing a letter

How can you support Self-Regulation?

• Talk about the Zones of Regulation with your child 
• Minimize their stress at school by
•  practicing packing/unpacking their backpacks and lunch bags
•  labelling all snacks and lunches 1, 2 ,3 
•  practicing putting on velcro shoes independently
•  practicing doing up zippers and buttons

Songs, Poems and Chants

Our students LOVE music. You may have heard them singing a number of new songs at home.
We would like to share them with you.

Jesus' Love

Jesus' love is bubbling over.

Jesus' love is bubbling over.

Jesus' love is bubbling over.

Alleluia!

Leaves are Fallng

(tune of Jingle Bells)

Leaves are falling,

Leaves are falling,

One fell on my nose!

Leaves are falling,

Leaves are falling,

One fell on my toes!

Leaves are falling,

Leaves are falling,

One fell on my head!

Leaves are falling,

Leaves are falling,

Yellow, orange and red!

Way Up High In The Apple Tree

Way up high in the apple tree,

Five little apples smiling down at me.

I shook that tree as hard as I could,

Down came an apple,

Mmm, it was good!

Way up high in the apple tree,

Four little apples smiling down at me ...

No little apples smiling down at me.