How Does Teaching Self-Regulation by Modeling Work?

Teaching self-regulation by modeling is like showing someone how to ride a bike before you let them try on their own.

Imagine your teacher or parent is like a super-cool bike rider who knows all the tricks. When they feel calm, they pedal smoothly, just like when you're happy and ready to play. But when they get upset, they might wobble a little, just like when you’re tired and need a break. By watching them ride through these ups and downs, you learn how to handle your own feelings.

Modeling means showing someone else how to do something so they can copy it. Your teacher or parent might take deep breaths when they're frustrated, just like you do when you’re angry. They might count to 10 before answering a question, just like you might count to 10 before you shout out an answer.

You learn by watching and copying. It's like learning how to tie your shoes: at first, you watch someone else do it, then you try it yourself, and soon you can do it all on your own!