How self-regulation approaches can help children’s wellbeing

In the early years sector, we recognise that the quality of care is just as important as the quality of education in getting all children off to a strong start. Evidence shows this is especially true for children from lower-income households.

We play a crucial role in supporting children’s all-round development, including their current wellbeing and future mental health. For example, helping children to understand and regulate their emotions supports their wellbeing ‘in the moment’, but also gives them tools to support their future mental health.

Approaches and practices which support children’s self-regulationHow children monitor their emotions and thoughts, and adapt their behaviour in different circumstances. and executive functionCognitive skills that enable children to adapt their thinking and actions to achieve a goal. This might be a self-chosen goal (e.g. To build a tower) or set by an adult (e.g. to respond to a question about a story). can also contribute to their current wellbeing and future mental health. For example, ‘scaffolding’ (giving children just enough help to do something difficult) can reduce children’s frustration in the moment and enable them to succeed at a task they’d find too hard to do alone. Carefully reducing our scaffolding over time can develop children’s resilience and capacity to face challenges independently.

Talking about children’s thinking and learning can help to develop their self-knowledge and provides a useful opportunity to help children recognise their strengths, achievements, and uniqueness. Evidence shows that this can positively impact their social and emotional outcomes.

A common part of recognising children’s strengths and achievements is praise – rightly so! But praise is only one part of the equation.

Let's reflect on the video below to think about what this might look like. Here, you will see a wonderful, playful interaction between the educator, Dini, and a small group of two-year-olds as they explore the play dough together.

Dini carefully narrates the children’s play and talks with them about their thought processes, helping to develop their self-knowledge. Watch the video again. What do you notice about how Dini:

• uses praise?

• values the children’s ideas and contributions?

• supports the children’s growing independence throughout the interaction?

To learn more about how PSED and SREF approaches can support children’s mental health and wellbeing, download our PDF guide here.

Visit the Early Years hub to see more of our resources around teaching and learning in the early years.