The Self Regulation Song – Free Printable

The Self Regulation Song is here! Teachers, therapists, and parents can now download a free printable lyric sheet, watch the video, and dance together with students. The song is designed to get kids moving, listening, and practicing important self-regulation skills.

You can download your FREE Printable at the bottom of the post.

How Does The Self Regulation Song Promote Self Regulation?

Students can clap, dance, and sing along as the lyrics appear right on the screen, making it a wonderful literacy activity, too. Marching in place while snapping or clapping fits perfectly to the beat. Students can also practice impulse control by freezing their bodies when they hear the word stop—and then moving again when they hear go.

This song introduces children to big concepts in a simple, fun way, including:

• Being flexible when plans change
• Using memory to remember rules and directions
• Listening and waiting with control
• Practicing self-control with movement and rhythm

Why This Song Works

The Self Regulation Song combines music, rhythm, and movement to support social-emotional growth. Music naturally engages children’s attention and body movement, while the built-in pauses for stop and go give kids a chance to strengthen impulse control. The repetition of lyrics helps children internalize self-regulation strategies that carry over to the classroom, therapy sessions, or at home.

Watch the Video of the Self Regulation Song

How to Adapt This Activity

The Self Regulation Song is flexible and can be easily adapted for different settings or student needs. Here are a few ways to make the most of the song:

• Pre-teach the lyrics
  Print the lyric sheet and read it together as a class poem before singing. This helps students become familiar with the words and reinforces literacy skills.
• Add movement to the beat
  Encourage students to march in place, snap, or clap along with the rhythm. This builds coordination and keeps the activity fun and engaging.
• Practice self-regulation strategies
  Use the song to highlight important strategies such as:
  • Stop and Start – Practice impulse control by freezing when the song says “stop” and moving again when it says “start.”
  • Deep Breathing – Connect the lyric “Body steady, breathing slow” to calming breath practice.
  • Stretching – During transitions in the song, add simple stretches to reinforce body awareness and energy regulation.

These adaptations not only make the activity interactive but also help students generalize self-regulation skills into the classroom, therapy sessions, and daily routines.

More Ways to Use the Self Regulation Song

• Explicit Instruction – use this song to support explicit instruction of self regulation skills
• Morning meeting or circle time – build routine and focus before starting the day
• Movement breaks – dance and sing to take your brain break!
• Therapy sessions – pair with motor activities to support attention and regulation
• At home – use during play or to practice listening skills in a fun way

Students will enjoy singing while practicing core skills that support learning and positive behavior.

More Fun Songs

Looking for more songs to add to your classroom, therapy toolbox, or home routine? Check out these favorites:

• Bean Bag Body Song
• Self-Control Song
• Proprioception Song
• Personal Space Song

Each song is designed to support movement, regulation, and social-emotional growth through fun and engaging activities.