From Dysregulation to Regulation (Part 1) - Helping the Overwhelmed Child find Calm within the School Environment

Never in the history of calming down has anyone ever calmed down when told to “Calm Down!” When we feel overwhelmed what we long for is connection. We want someone calm and loving to be with us, to let us know we are seen, heard, cared for and understood. No-one needs, or deserves this type of response more than our children.
Children are not yet efficient or developmentally capable of self-regulation when overwhelmed. They are in survival mode. Engaging in reasoning and logical discussion at this point is futile. The child’s prefrontal cortex or thinking brain is no longer accessible to him. He is now being driven by his emotional centre which does not do logic. The nature of the trigger is irrelevant in this moment, what is relevant is how the adult responds. A calm empathic response of a caring adult, within a structured and predictable environment will promote a felt sense of safety and calm. In this way the adult’s ability to provide co-regulation will help the child to return from dysregulation to regulation.

This interactive workshop will support educators to recognise the signs of dysregulation and to meet the dysregulated child’s need in those moments and beyond.

The participants will learn:
• To understand and manage big feelings, from temper outbursts to anxieties
• How to respond to those feelings in a child centred way to enable regulation
• How to create an atmosphere that promotes regulation rather than dysregulation
• To set limits and boundaries without shaming

** Please note you will be emailed with a list of some art and craft materials which the facilitator has asked that you would have on hand while attending this workshop.

Facilitator - Aideen Flynn