Table 2 Promoting the growth of self-regulation development and co-regulation for ages 3–5: ECSEL approach.
Characteristics of self-regulation | How caregivers can provide co-regulation | ECSEL techniques and tools |
|---|---|---|
Focused attention increases but it still brief Begin to use rules, strategies, and planning to guide behavior appropriate to situation Delay gratification and inhibit responses for longer periods Perspective-taking and empathy support prosocial goals Language begins to control emotional responses and actions Tolerate some frustration and distress apart from caregiver (self-calming skills emerge) | Model, prompt, and reinforce (or “coach”) self-calming strategies when child is upset Instruct and coach use of words to express emotion and identify solutions to simple problems Coach rule-following and task completion Provide external consequences to support emerging self-regulation skills | Emotion Thermometer Peace Table Peace Corner CTEE Emotion Chart Emotion Books SheHeMe™ |