Looking for a making choices song that supports emotional awareness, self-reflection, and growth mindset skills? The Making Choices Song was created to help students recognize that reactions are part of learning. Every child has strong feelings sometimes. Some reactions help situations improve. Some reactions make situations harder. The goal is not perfection. The goal is […]
When we think about student regulation in schools, it’s easy to default to behavior management strategies: visual schedules, token systems, consequences. But they often miss an important point: student regulation isn’t just about compliance or sitting still. It’s about creating the internal conditions students need to actually learn. As related service providers and special education […]
In classrooms, students are expected to regulate emotions, maintain attention, transition between activities, and participate socially and academically throughout the day. When these skills break down, challenges are often addressed through behavioral supports, academic accommodations, or environmental modifications. However, an underlying system frequently influences all of these areas. Learn more about how interoception in the […]
A busy mind can get in the way of learning and teaching. It often shows up when the brain has been working overtime. The goal is not silence, but creating enough calm for the brain to focus and stay connected. In school settings, teachers and related service providers are constantly processing information such as student […]
Understanding how thermosensory signals and self regulation interact can support educators and therapists in thinking more broadly about the sensory context of learning. Thermosensory signals include skin temperature and the perception of warmth or cold. In adult research, these signals have been linked not only to physical regulation but also to how individuals experience their […]
Stimming behaviors are a natural and meaningful way many children regulate their bodies, emotions, attention, and thinking. While stimming is often misunderstood in school and community settings, a neuroaffirming perspective helps shift the focus from stopping behaviors to understanding what students need to feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. To support educators, therapists, and […]
In elementary classrooms, challenges with impulse control, following directions, and staying focused are often viewed as behavior problems. However, research continues to show that many of these difficulties are closely tied to working memory demands, not a lack of motivation or effort. Recent research took a closer look at working memory and self regulation skills […]
When behavior feels challenging, overwhelming, or confusing, it is tempting to focus on stopping it as quickly as possible. However, behavior is rarely the problem itself. More often, it is a signal that something beneath the surface is not working as smoothly as it could. Understanding what system is under stress is often the key […]
Support self-regulation and executive functioning in your students with the Freeze Dance Impulse Control Song. It combines music, movement, and mindfulness to help students build impulse control skills. It’s perfect for the classroom, therapy sessions, homeschool, or movement breaks and it includes free printables to support instruction. You can download the FREE freeze dance printables […]
When children understand how their brains work, they gain a powerful tool for success, at school, at home, and in life. Instead of feeling frustrated by big emotions or unexpected reactions, they learn that these moments come from how their brains are wired to protect them. These Calm Brain resources teach students how to notice […]