Page 19 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 5 June 2024

EDUCATION Today's Child

EMPOWERING the consequences is a common dysregulation. Emotional challenges children, and can assist them on their

trait associated with emotional
may interfere with the ability to relax
journey.
dysregulation. This may include
and unwind before bedtime.
STUDENTS • impulsive decisions, outbursts or • Difficulty identifying emotions: “The ability of a school to recognise and
Some children with emotional
address emotional challenges directly
even physical aggression.
dysregulation may have difficulty
correlates with a child's academic
Difficulty with transitions:
Changes in routine or unexpected
emotions. This lack of emotional
transitions can be particularly recognising and labeling their own success and overall mental health. A
school that prioritises emotional well-
challenging for those with awareness can contribute to being fosters classroom environments
emotional dysregulation. They may challenges in effectively regulating tailored to promote resilience, creating
struggle to adapt to new situations, their feelings. a supportive space where children
leading to increased stress and feel understood and validated,” says
emotional upheaval. Sutherland says that while the above Sutherland.
• Poor frustration tolerance: Children could be indicators of emotional
with emotional dysregulation may dysregulation, they should serve as a Such environments will be characterised
have a low threshold for frustration. starting point for investigation, not a by teachers who are trained to recognise
Minor setbacks or challenges that diagnostic checklist, as every individual signs of emotional dysregulation and
others may handle with ease can is unique. If parents have cause for implement strategies that nurture
lead to intense emotional reactions. concern, they should seek professional resilience. By emphasising emotional
• Social difficulties: Emotional help from a qualified professional or intelligence alongside academic
dysregulation can impact educational expert to help guide them achievement, these schools equip
interpersonal relationships. Children and their child. It is crucial to approach children with essential life skills, enabling
may struggle with making and emotional dysregulation with sensitivity them to navigate challenges with
maintaining friendships due to and avoid making assumptions. resilience and adaptability.
difficulties in understanding and
responding appropriately to social Generally, the approach to supporting Ultimately, choosing a school that values
cues. children dealing with dysregulation will and incorporates emotional well-being
• Physical symptoms: Emotional include building emotional awareness, into its educational philosophy, lays
dysregulation can manifest developing structured routines, teaching the foundation for children to thrive
physically. Children may experience coping skills, engaging in collaborative academically, emotionally, and socially,
headaches, stomach aches, muscle problem solving, and building and sets them on a path to long-term
tension or other physical symptoms maintaining healthy boundaries. success.
in response to emotional distress.
• Sleep disturbances: Disruptions in It may also become necessary to find Information and photos supplied by
sleep patterns, such as difficulty a school that understands emotional Meropa Communications on behalf
falling asleep or staying asleep, dysregulation; this is paramount for the of The Bridge Assisted Learning School,
can be associated with emotional holistic development and well-being of Morningside

16 DPL issue 5 2024 Kyalami Estates • CONNECT • Issue 2 • 2024 19
DPL issue 5 2024 17