Abstract

1. In our fast paced society, waiting has become a lost art. Our society underestimates the benefits of waiting or developing self-regulation and self-control. We live in a time of instant messaging and instant response, this sets up an expectation for immediate gratification. This learned behavior makes it difficult for parents to teach children to develop self-regulation and impulse control. The developmental benefits and skills learned through self-regulation set a child up for a lifetime of success. The facilitator identified practical strategies a parent or caregiver can use to support the development of self-regulation skills. Abstract Objectives The facilitator engaged in a thorough review of literature that focused on self-regulation and impulse control. In addition, the facilitator completed doctorate course work in this area. The combination of these two activities helped shape the video presentation. 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Made available courtesy of The American Counseling Association: Retrieved from http://www.counseling.org This objective of this video is to help people working with children from zero to three learn more about the importance of the development of self-regulation skills. The facilitator examined the important aspects of self-regulation and delayed gratification. The information obtained was integrated into a video presentation dealing with the “how, what, when , where and why” of self-regulation. It is hope that caregivers watching this video will gain positive strategies that can be used on a daily basis to help children learn to: teach children through play become aware of temperaments delay gratification set limits share and take turns Santa Barbara City College Judy Osterhage Self-Regulation – Is it Really That Important to Wait? Contact Conclusions Through the process of creating this video, the facilitator identified the paramount importance of self-regulation skills. Developing self-regulation skills can predict school success, social success, less anger, less tantrums, and less engagement in risky behavior. This video provides parents and caregivers with the tools to help their children learn to calm themselves, take turns, wait and develop self-control. An unexpected result of this research showed there is a downside to self-regulation if all influences are external. If self-regulation is based on manipulation or fear it could lead to a development of false self and create anxiety. Some specialists believe when self-regulation is heavily external it is from fear instead of internal control. Experts caution that too much obedience may stifle the spirit and the spontaneous nature of children. More research in this area is needed to clarify these concerns. Judy Osterhage: josterhage@cox.net References