Page 18 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 5 June 2024

EDUCATION

MANAGING

EMOTIONAL

CHALLENGES

IN THE

CLASSROOM

EMPOWERING

STUDENTS

n the ever-evolving field of says Renie Sutherland, principal at Renie Sutherland, principal at
education, meeting the diverse The Bridge Assisted Learning School The Bridge Assisted Learning
needs of children extends in Morningside, Johannesburg, which School in Morningside
beyond conventional teaching supports students facing challenges
approaches. A critical factor is unrelated to cognitive ability. The Bridge Children with emotional
the comprehension of emotional is a brand of ADvTECH, Africa’s largest dysregulation may experience
dysregulation and its significant private education provider. emotions more intensely than
Iinfluence within the classroom their peers. This can manifest
setting. As educators and parents Sutherland says the repercussions of as extreme anger, sadness,
endeavour to cultivate the optimal emotional dysregulation in the classroom anxiety or frustration that seems
learning environment, acknowledging can be far-reaching. disproportionate to the situation.
and tackling emotional dysregulation • Quick mood shifts: Abrupt and
is increasingly recognised as a pivotal “Children grappling with emotional unpredictable changes in mood
component in nurturing academic dysregulation may find it challenging can be indicative of emotional
achievement, according to an education to concentrate on academic tasks, dysregulation. A child may go from
expert. exhibit disruptive behavior or struggle to being calm to extremely upset
engage in collaborative activities. These or agitated without an apparent
“Emotional dysregulation refers to challenges can hinder not only their trigger.
difficulties in managing and expressing individual learning but also the overall • Difficulty recovering from upsets:
emotions appropriately. For some classroom dynamic.” Children struggling with emotional
children, navigating the complex web of dysregulation may find it challenging
feelings can be overwhelming, leading Sutherland says recognising emotional to calm down after becoming upset.
to challenges in focusing, self-control dysregulation can sometimes be Their emotional state might persist
and interpersonal relationships. challenging, but that there are some for an extended period, making
Recognising the signs of emotional general signs that may indicate it difficult for them to return to a
dysregulation is crucial for creating a emotional dysregulation: baseline mood.
supportive environment that promotes • Impulsive behavior: Acting on
both emotional and academic growth,” • Intense emotional reactions: impulses without considering

16 DPL issue 5 2024