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Our centre priority is to build self-regulation in all of our tamariki

Here at BestStart Preston’s, one of our centre priority is to build self-regulation in all of our tamariki.

We understand that self-regulation is the ability to understand and manage own behaviour and reactions, we also know that in the early childhood years this can be difficult to master. Self-regulation begins to develop rapidly in the toddler and pre-schooler years. It continues to develop into adulthood. Self-regulation helps tamariki learn, get along with others, and become independent.

Ways that can support tamariki’s self-regulation include talking, planning, problem-solving and role-modelling. One of our ways to support the tamariki with building self-regulation is under our resilience tree. Tamariki are shown with support from our Kaiako, to watch our changing lights on the resilience tree, while being supported to use breathing techniques to calm. When the tamariki feel comfortable with this process they are then able to take themselves away and revisit this process each time they need.

By teaching tamariki, self-regulation we have found the following develop:

Learn – because self-regulation gives your child the ability to sit and listen
Understand socially acceptable ways in groups – because self-regulation gives your child the ability to control impulses
Make friends – because self-regulation gives your child the ability to take turns in games and conversation, turn take with toys, and express emotions in appropriate ways
Become more independent – because self-regulation gives tamariki the ability to make appropriate decisions about behaviour and learn how to react in new situations

He iti te mokoroa, nāna i kati te kahikatea

The mokoroa (grub) may be small, but it cuts through the Kahikatea