SEL Consultant Corner: Regulation
Brandy Pledgure, MCESC SEL Consultant
Regulation is defined by Dr. Bruce Perry as "putting time and thought between a feeling and an action.” Dysregulation is the state of distress, or activated stress response system. Dysregulation is the brain's response to a real or perceived threat. Co-regulation and self-regulation strategies are used to calm those flight, fight, and freeze responses. Regulating the brainstem to get from downstairs part of brain(stem) to upstairs brain(cortex) are acquired by the following Tier 1 Interventions:
- Ensure physiological needs are met
- Create structure and expectations
- Rhythmic repetitive movement
- Breathing (easiest and fastest!)
Trotwood-Madison Middle School
TMMS has made great strides this quarter in our practice of SEL through the use of Move This World! We have been working on identifying emotions and using our "Emogers" to work through how we feel. Both our teachers and students have shown great perseverance using a new program and stepping outside of our comfort zones. At PTC, students' families will also receive more information on how they too can participate in Move This World at home! Check out the photo above of some of our 6th Graders starting their morning by shaking off their stress in Mrs. Zeigler and Mr. Mowry's Advisory!
Westbrooke Village Elementary
Students at Westbrooke Village are using virtual and physical calm down corners to take quiet moments during the day as needed. Teachers are also participating in an SEL corner for staff each week and implementing a House wide SEL strategy once a week.
Madison Park Elementary
2nd and 3rd grade students at MP have spent the first quarter learning how to be Skillful and Respectful learners. They have practiced Mindfulness to help them get focused for learning, listening respectfully, staying in their learning space by avoiding distractions, and when they need help how to ask assertively. We also have been learning about our "Invisible Buckets" that hold all of our good feelings. We have discussed how we can be Bucket Fillers and not Bucket Dippers. Quarter 2 we begin our unit on Empathy.
Resource Spotlights
Smiling Mind (website and app) can be used for all ages and has specially designed programs for students at school and adults at work and home. Smiling Mind provides the tools for meditation and mindfulness. It helps to foster good mental habits, creates calmer classrooms, less overall stress, engaged and focused students and is practical and easy to implement.
Professional development is available upon request.
