Chapter 9: Self-Regulation & YOU
ECE5J Course Learning Outcome
- Prepare and implement guidance strategies that maintain a healthy sense of self.
Throughout this book, we have learned a lot about self-regulation, but we must also begin to understand our self-regulation needs.
What are things you can do to help restore yourself?
We must apply the self-regulation concepts to ourselves, recognize when we need to step back and use strategies like deep breathing or positive self-talk to regain focus and calm. In the classroom, self-regulation can be a powerful tool for you and your students. By modelling calmness, patience, and thoughtful responses to challenges and stress behaviour, you can create an environment where students feel safe to express themselves.
Growing Activity
Think of mindfulness as a superpower!
Superheroes have incredible powers, and while mindfulness might not let us leap over buildings or swing through the streets on a web, it is a superpower in its way. Mindfulness is a strategy we use to reduce tension and return to a state of calm. When we notice our amygdala is about to hijack our brains, we can become mindful of our own reactions and can use strategies to get our prefrontal cortex back in charge. When we feel ourselves getting overwhelmed or reactive, mindfulness helps us take a step back and regain control. Just like superheroes train their powers, we can practice mindfulness to sharpen our ability to stay calm, think clearly, and make thoughtful choices.
Mindfulness could mean taking a deep breath, counting to five, or simply pausing before reacting. Discovering our own mindfulness superpowers better prepares us for helping children and families practice mindfulness. When we are mindful of ourselves, we become more attuned to the emotions of others.
Growing Activity
Growing Activity:
What is your mindfulness superpower?
Your task is to portray yourself as a superhero who has a mindfulness superpower. Your mindfulness superpower is a strategy you use to reduce tension and return to a state of calm.
Activity Text
What is your mindfulness superpower? How would you use your mindfulness superpower?
Growing Activity
Download the photo below and express yourself! Add a little pizazz or a pop of colour. Then, share what your superpower is.
Activity Source
OpenAI. (2024, November 16). ChatGPT. [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat
Prompt: Please critique my idea: “Superheroes have superpowers, and some might consider the ability to be mindful a superpower as well. Although mindfulness does not mean we will be able to leap over tall buildings, cast spider webs to swing out of trouble or make a quick exit at the speed of light, a mindfulness superpower is a strategy we use and teach others how to reduce tension and return to a state of calm. When we notice our amygdala is about to be hijacked, we become mindful of our own reactions, and we use strategies to get our PFC back in charge of our executive brain functions. Discovering our own mindfulness superpowers or what works for us, better prepares us for helping children and families practice mindfulness. The more mindful we are of what is going on within ourselves, the more mindful we become of what is going on within others.” Content has been edited – some phrases changed, words replaced/removed/added based on feedback from ChatGPT.
