Different ways may help kids improve self- regulation

Yoga, exercise, education and personal skills training are among the many types of interventions that may help kids improve what’s known as self- regulation, or their ability to manage their behavior and emotions, a study suggests.

Self- regulation covers a lot of things that kids need to succeed inside and outside the classroom, ranging from the ability to have positive interactions with others, the capacity to avoid inappropriate or aggressive actions, and the ability to carry out self- directed learning. Cognitive processes contributing to self- regulation are often referred to as “executive function” and can include impulse control as well as the ability to direct or focus attention, adapt flexibly to changes, and retain information.

For the current study, researchers examined data from 49 previously published studies with a total of more than 23,000 children and teens who were randomly selected to receive an intervention to improve self- regulation or join a control group that didn’t get this help.

Most of the interventions were associated with improvements in kids’ ability to appropriately adjust their behavior and emotional responses to fit different situations, researchers report in JAMA Pediatrics. While many things appeared helpful, the most effective approach involved training teachers to incorporate self- regulation education into their routine classroom activities.

“Self- regulation skills can be a powerful predictor of positive health, educational, financial and social outcomes,” said lead study author Dr Anuja Pandey of the Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health at the University College of London in the UK.

“While interventions to improve self- regulation mostly target pre- school and primary school age, our study findings show that such interventions can be effective even during adolescence, thus providing an extended window of opportunity to improve self- regulation,” Pandey said by email.

Children and teens who struggle with self- regulation may be prone to behavioral problems and emotional outbursts that make it hard for them to maintain friendships, enjoy sports and other group activities, and meet academic expectations in school. These kids can also have difficulties concentrating on tasks and lose interest in daily activities.

Researchers found consistent improvements in self- regulation in 16 of 21 interventions that were incorporated into school curriculums, making this the most successful approach. However, many other options worked at least some of the time, including four of six exercisebased interventions, four of eight yoga and mindfulness interventions, and four of six interventions targeting social and personal skills.