Validated by: April Greenwood Jan 25, Tegan Ross (1/28/23), Emily Walton (2/1/23)Kaleigh Le Vine (2/3/23)

Disclosure: ChatGPT3 was used in the creation of this resource.

Self-regulation is the ability of an individual to control and manage their behavior, thoughts, and emotions to achieve personal goals and maintain a sense of well-being. It is a complex process that involves various cognitive and emotional processes and is considered an important aspect of personal development.

One aspect of self-regulation is the ability to set and meet personal standards. This includes setting goals for oneself and then taking the necessary steps to achieve them. This can include developing a plan, setting deadlines, and monitoring progress. Self-regulation also involves the ability to manage stress and emotions healthily. This may involve using coping strategies such as mindfulness or problem-solving to address difficult situations and being able to manage negative emotions such as anger or anxiety. Another important aspect is the ability to make healthy choices. This includes things like eating a balanced diet, getting enough exercise, and avoiding harmful behaviors such as substance abuse. It also involves the ability to manage time effectively and prioritize tasks.

Self-regulation is an ongoing process that develops over time. It is generally considered to be a skill that can be learned and improved upon through practice and experience. Research has shown that self-regulation is positively related to various outcomes such as academic achievement, job performance, and personal relationships. It is also closely linked to executive function, which is a set of cognitive abilities that help people plan, focus attention, and remember instructions. These abilities are essential for self-regulation and are believed to be developed through experiences in childhood, such as playing games or doing puzzles that require planning and attention.

Self-regulation develops in children as they grow and gain more experience with their environment. In early childhood, it is primarily driven by caregivers' responses to the child's behavior. As children get older, they begin to internalize the rules and expectations of their environment and develop their self-regulation strategies. 

There are several key milestones in self-regulation development. In the first two years of life, infants develop the ability to regulate their physiological states, such as heart rate and breathing, through the use of soothing strategies like crying or being held. Around age 2, children begin to develop emotional self-regulation, and they can start to express their emotions in a more controlled way. By age 3, children can begin to engage in self-directed play and focus their attention on a task for longer periods. During the elementary school years, children continue to develop their self-regulation skills. They learn to control their impulses and make more thoughtful decisions. They also begin to develop the ability to delay gratification, which is an important skill for achieving long-term goals. In adolescence, self-regulation continues to develop as teens learn to control their emotions and behavior in more complex social situations. They begin to understand the consequences of their actions and develop the ability to plan and set goals for themselves. They also begin to develop a sense of self-identity and self-worth, which helps them make better decisions and resist peer pressure.

It's important to note that self-regulation skills can be affected by a variety of factors, including genetics, the child's environment, and the child's experiences. And support and guidance from caregivers and other adults can help children develop self-regulation skills.

Practice Quiz:

1. Johnny is a 5th grader who struggles with self-regulation. His teacher has noticed that he often becomes frustrated and angry when he doesn't understand a math problem. Which of the following strategies would be most effective in helping Johnny improve his self-regulation skills?

1. Punishing Johnny when he becomes frustrated
2. Ignoring Johnny's behavior and hoping it improves on its own
3. Teaching Johnny coping strategies and techniques for managing his emotions
4. Allowing Johnny to leave the classroom when he becomes frustrated

2. Which of the following is NOT a key component of self-regulation?

1. Emotion control
2. Time management
3. Physical coordination
4. Decision making