Your child has just thrown themselves onto the floor because you said no, or they have dissolved into tears because you cut their toast the wrong way. These seemingly ridiculous emotional outbursts can be frustrating and upsetting for both your child and you, but they are a normal stage of development.
Self-regulation is the ability to manage emotions, thoughts and behaviours in response to different situations. In essence, mastering self-regulation allows children to pause, think and respond appropriately rather than acting on impulse. It enables them to cope with challenges and setbacks. This is an important life skill because it helps children learn, behave appropriately, build relationships and become independent.
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