21st Century Child Parenting
The Magic of co-regulaTion By Olivia Sinco A fancy word for a simple technique, co-regulation is defined beautifully by www.relationshiprestoration.org as: “The way that the nervous system of one individual influences the nervous system of another.” If I can hold a state of calm, happiness and contentment, then children around me will come to feel this too. In energetic terms, co-regulation is simply law of attraction.
Co-regulation is happening all the time, whether we’re aware of it or not. The real value behind becoming aware of and practicing it, is to build better relationships with the children in our lives, influencing them in a way that is beneficial for their wellbeing and development.
There may be tears, children in the hallway refusing to move, staring out of the window, running away or just playing. Now here is where law of attraction kicks into play, because I know that in order to create the right conditions to have children co-regulate with me, I must not pursue them. It appears that many children are accustomed to being pursued at home. If I spend my day chasing the co-operation of every wayward student, I would leave work drained, because they seem to feed off of the chase. It simply isn’t effective.
Imagine a busy five-yearold’s classroom on a Monday morning. There may be up to eight children who, for
The dilemma we have as staff, is how to meet the emotional needs of each of these individuals efficiently, to have
“Co-regulation is happening all the time, whether we’re aware of it or not.”
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one reason or another, aren’t following the familiar morning routine.
Supernal Magazine
them feel safe and motivated to want to join the class and learn. And so ‘Card Club’ began. I put on a timer for 10 minutes and bring out four packs of kiddie cards that can be used for the games Snap, Fish, Old Maid and Memory Match. All the stragglers are invited to play.
“Of any strategy I’ve ever used, card games are by far the most effective. Why? Because I love to play cards.” Of any strategy I’ve ever used, card games are by far the most effective. Why? Because I love to play cards. If, on these Monday mornings for example, someone suggested that I take out a game of Battleships
