Self-regulation is the ability to control your emotions and behaviors depending on the situation. Basically, it’s the ability to control impulses in various situations.
Now let’s be honest, this can be difficult for adults, so of course, young children have a hard time with the skill. So why is self-regulation so difficult and how can you help improve it in children?
Children have an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex, this is the area of the brain that lets you think before you act and this particular area won’t be fully developed until adulthood. They also have an underdeveloped sensory system which can cause more intense reactions to sensory input. The combination of these two things can result in the child screaming for what seems like no reason. Although they are still developing and maturing there are ways to teach self-regulation and calming techniques that will help them respond to events more effectively throughout their daily life.