5-4-3-2-1 Early Childhood Tips for Today: Self-Regulation

• Label children’s feelings and teach them to identify their emotions
• Model safe calming strategies for coping with conflicts such as taking deep breaths & include children in problem-solving
• Provide a safe place for children to go for self-calming and encourage them to use it
• Promote and incorporate mindfulness activities throughout the day such as yoga
• Play games to strengthen self-regulation skills and practice delayed gratification

• Child Mind Institute: How Can We Help Kids with Self-Regulation?
• Harvard University Center on the Developing Child: Self-Regulation and Executive Function Activities for 3-5 year olds
• Zero to Three: How Toddlers Learn Self-Control 12 to 24 Months
• Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation: Helping Young Children Control Anger and Handle Disappointment

• National Association for the Education of Young Children: Developing Young Children’s Self-Regulation through Everyday Experiences
• National Association for the Education of Young Children: Self-Regulation: A Cornerstone of Early Childhood Development
• Virginia Department of Educations Training and Technical Assistance Center: Understanding the Importance of Self-Regulation for Preschoolers

Children Read Alouds

Mouse Was Mad, By Linda Urban.

Who knows the best way to be mad? After trying out others' methods, Mouse just can't get it right. But when he finds the way that works for him — still and quiet — he discovers that his own way might be the best of all.

Sometimes I’m Bombaloo, By Rachel Vail Sometimes.

Katie loses her temper. Sometimes she uses her feet and her fists instead of words. When Katie is this mad, she's just not herself. Sometimes, she's BOMBALOO. Being BOMBALOO is scary. But a little time to breathe and a lot of love calm BOMBALOO down and help Katie feel like Katie again

Center on the Developing Child (Harvard University): Executive Function and Self-Regulation