Are your students encountering challenges in managing their emotions, staying focused, or exhibiting disruptive behaviors? As educators, understanding the intricate connections between occupational therapy skills, self-regulation, and social-emotional learning (SEL) is crucial for fostering a positive and effective learning environment. In this blog post, we’ll navigate the terrain of emotional intelligence, offering practical insights on seamlessly incorporating these techniques into your classroom. Additionally, there are a few free self-regulation products designed to enhance your existing curriculum and empower students to master these essential skills.
Understanding Behavioral Dynamics: Recognizing behavioral cues is the cornerstone of addressing emotional struggles, disruptions, and impulsive behaviors in the classroom. By leveraging social and emotional learning principles, educators gain a deeper understanding of the root causes of these behaviors, paving the way for tailored interventions and support.
Unlocking the Power of Self-Regulation and SEL: Embark on a journey of self-discovery as we explore self-regulation activities and SEL techniques designed to empower students in recognizing and managing their emotions effectively. These strategies not only contribute to enhanced classroom management but also equip students with skills that extend beyond their academic years.
Co-Regulation for a Connected Classroom: Discover the transformative power of co-regulation, a collaborative approach where educators guide students in navigating their emotions, focusing on learning, and reducing anxiety. This fosters a connected and supportive classroom environment conducive to emotional and academic growth. You must be calm to spread calm.
Introducing Valuable Resources: As an adjunct to any self-regulation, behavior, or SEL curriculum, explore versatile products designed to make learning engaging and fun. These resources serve as an invaluable supplement to established programs like How Does Your Engine Run™, PBIS™, SEL™, and ZONEs of Regulation™.
Check out this free Social Emotional Learning activity. Delve into various sorting pages and pictures focusing on emotions, actions, and coping strategies. This freebie offers a preview of a larger resource, providing a glimpse into the myriad ways it can be incorporated into your classroom routine.
This is a small part of my social-emotional learning Sort and Match Emotions and Self Regulation Strategies resource that can be used to make interactive books for individual students.
This freebie includes several styles of sorting pages and pictures for the emotion/feelings happy, calm, OK and focused. It also includes pictures for the actions you can do when feeling that way: learn, listen, do my best and follow directions. It also has pictures for strategies to stay that way: drink water, ask a question, use a fidget and think good thoughts. It is meant as a preview of the larger resource.
When students can identify how they are feeling they can learn to choose activities to help them manage their emotions. This freebie includes where you want students to be for optimal learning. Strategies to get to this point are available in many of my Self Regulation Resources. I also have many resources to help students identify their emotions. It can be done as a cut-and-paste activity or can be laminated and used with Velcro.
Consider the full version of Sort and Match Emotions and Self Regulation Strategies for many more emotions, actions, and styles of sorting sheets. Color versions of all pictures are also in the full version. I also have a Teen Sort and Match Emotions and Self Regulations resource for older students.
Empowering Students for Lifelong Success: By integrating occupational therapy techniques, self-regulation, and SEL activities, educators can transform their classrooms into nurturing environments where students not only thrive emotionally but also build skills for a successful future. Join us on this insightful journey of incorporating innovative strategies that promote emotional intelligence and resilience.
Check out what other teachers and therapists are saying about these resources.
“Great activity to use in a calming bin or a safe space. You can customize or personalize it depending on the student – but we use it when a child is escalating – they are encouraged to visit the safe space or their calming bin and it is a good activity you can do with them to help articulate why they are upset and then what a de-escalation strategy might be. Good little resource to support Self Reg.”-Susan
“This was helpful for some of my students who struggle to deal with big emotions. It was one tools in a tool box that they can access to help them identify and deal with strong emotions.” -Christine
“Excellent for working on self-regulation for a variety of students. I like the mix of emotions so this isn’t always seen as a “negative” thing for kids. Great way to make things more visual and concrete.” -Josalyn
“I have been using Zones of Regulations and doing brain breaks and learning and teaching my students about different tools to use to calm down. This has been very valuable in my class.” -Melissa
“Trying to both identify and regulate some emotions is difficult for my non-verbal autistic students can be a challenge. Using these resources to help them determine what they’re feeling and how to self-regulate has been very helpful. Thank you!” -Katherine
“I love how simple this book is to teach my students about how they are feeling and also give them opportunities to eventually learn how to use the tool to self-regulate on their own. Now that I have it laminated, I can re-use from year to year!” :)-Kathryn
Only interested in Freebies? Check out my freebies on TPT and my free resource library.
About the Author
I am a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) and have been working in a public school system for more than 25 years. My resources can be found on TPT, BOOM Learning, Made by Teachers, Classful, and Your Therapy Source. I appreciate your interest wherever you wish to shop.
My mission is to help you find creative ideas to incorporate fine motor, visual perception, gross motor, and social-emotional learning into your lessons.
I hope you consider signing up for my Free Resource Library with your Email. I send out emails about once a week and share resources, tips, and planning ideas for your classroom or occupational therapy needs. Hopefully, these help your students work on building their skills in a fun and engaging way.
