Self-Regulation: 5 Domains of Self-Reg

These flashcards cover key concepts from the Shanker Self-Reg® Framework and the five domains of self-regulation, helping students prepare for an exam on the topic.

What is self-regulation according to the Shanker Self-Reg® Framework?

Self-regulation refers to the manner in which an individual deals with stress in all its many forms and then recovers from the energy expended.

What can result from excessive stress exposure in early years?

It can develop a 'kindled alarm system' where even relatively minor stressors can trigger fight-or-flight or freeze responses.

What are the five interrelated domains of self-regulation?

Biological, emotional, cognitive, social, and prosocial domains.

What is the Shanker Method®?

A five-step method for enhancing self-regulation: Read signs of stress, Recognize stressors, Reduce stress, Reflect on awareness, and Restore energy.

How does the biological domain impact a child's self-regulation?

Proper development of a child's brain is crucial for long-term mental and physical health, enabling the ability to self-regulate.

What is social engagement in relation to stress responses?

Social engagement is the goal; it is a neural mechanism that allows children to cope with stress before resorting to fight-or-flight or freeze.

What does hyperarousal in children affect?

It can lead to difficulties in focusing, alertness, and effectively monitoring, evaluating, and modifying emotions.

How can adults help hyperaroused children?

By helping them calm down instead of forcing them to monitor or modify their emotions.

What does the cognitive domain of self-regulation pertain to?

It refers to mental processes involved in knowledge acquisition such as attention, perception, memory, and problem-solving.

How does stress affect a child's attention and focus?

Increased stress makes it harder to focus as it demands more energy from the child's autonomic nervous system.

What strategies are effective for addressing attentional problems in children?

Play-based techniques can help address the roots of attention and assist with self-regulation.

What role does the social domain play in children's development?

Problems in the social domain can hinder children's ability to manage stress and engage socially, often leading to misinterpretation of social cues.

What is the effect of stress overload on prosocial behavior?

Stress overload can shut down systems that enable cognitive empathy, relying instead on primitive systems that drive aggression or escape.

What critical response should caregivers have towards a child's anxiety?

Caregivers should respond with soothing measures rather than chastising or escalating situations.