Students move through an enormous amount of information during the school day. A lesson ends, and almost immediately there is another question to answer, another worksheet to complete, another conversation to have, or another activity to begin. But what happens when we occasionally stop adding more information? Research on wakeful rest suggests that periods with […]
Self soothing shows up in classrooms every day, even when adults do not always notice it. A student pulling their sleeves over their hands, hugging their own arms, or rubbing a soft object on their desk may be using a simple, built-in strategy to feel calmer. For educators, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and other school-based […]
Impulse control in elementary school may play a bigger role in long term outcomes than many educators realize. A child’s ability to sit still, follow directions, and manage their behavior across a school day reflects skills that take real effort to maintain, and that effort can run low as the day goes on. A recent […]
Many students who appear calm and compliant are not actually regulated, while some students who fidget or move are doing exactly what their bodies need. This free printable poster helps teachers, therapists, and parents reframe what self-regulation truly looks like in a classroom setting. Download this Self Regulation is More Than Just Sitting Still FREE […]
Physical activity and academic performance are more connected than many educators and families realize. For adolescents in school settings, regular movement does more than support physical health. It appears to strengthen the psychological skills students need to succeed in the classroom, including their ability to regulate their own behavior and their belief in their own […]
Self-regulation vs. emotional regulation is a distinction that comes up often in school-based practice, yet the two terms are frequently used as if they mean the same thing. For occupational therapists, physical therapists, school counselors, special educators, and other support staff working with students who have neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability, […]
ADHD and emotional regulation are closely connected for many children in school settings. While inattention and hyperactivity are the most recognized signs of ADHD, difficulties managing emotions are also a common and significant part of how this condition shows up in daily life. These emotional challenges can affect how children perform in class, interact with […]
Does your child sometimes feel overwhelmed by big emotions: a racing heart, shaky hands, a tight tummy and not know what to do with all of that? When My Feelings Get Too Big is a song designed to help kids recognize the body signals that come with big feelings and practice simple, effective calm-down steps […]
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 […]