LOW-TECH TOOLS FOR EMOTIONAL REGULATION , Low-tech tools for emotional regulation are often readily avail- able and cost-effective when looking for solutions for students. Some examples of low-tech assistive technology for emotional regulation include journals, visuals, communication boards, and fidgets. Journals Writing is one-way students can safely reflect on their feelings and emotions. Providing an opportunity for students to write and the tools necessary can help students learn a way to cope with emotions that feel too big to share in any other way. This is a safe way for students to get out their feelings, reflect on the sit- uation that caused the emotions, and problem-solving methods for handling them. Journals can be as simple as a notebook or can be a structured format, such as a journal designed for processing emotions.
• First/Then
o A First/Then visual shows a student what needs to be done first and what comes after. This can be helpful for a student who has to do something that causes them frustration by helping them see that something that they enjoy is coming next.
• Lists of Options
o Providing a list of options or regulation techniques for a student to choose from can help them rec- ognize that there are different ways that they can handle their emotions and remind them of tools and techniques that are available to them.
• Reaction Charts
o A chart that shows common frustrations or emo- tional triggers and ways that a student can re- spond in an emotionally regulated manner can be helpful for a student who struggles with disruptive behaviors when emotionally dysregulated. Stu- dents can also help create these charts, making it a learning moment.
Examples of Journals: • The Hero’s Journal o 91-day
planner/journal that prompts the writer through their day's adven- tures. combination
Communication Students struggling with emotional regulation may also struggle with finding the words they want to use. Using a com- munication board can allow students to share their feelings or their message without adding the frustration of trying to think of the words they want to use. Fidgets When a student feels anxious or has difficulty managing emo- tions, movement can be a way to manage these feelings. While, sometimes, gross motor movements such as running, jumping, or stomping may help a student regulate, often, in the classroom, this is not a possibility. Fidgets can allow a student an outlet for movement without significant disruption to the classroom envi- ronment.
• Big Life Journal
o This journal is created for children to help them learn about emotional skills through stories and guided writing prompts.
Visuals When students feel overwhelmed by emotions, it can be diffi- cult to recognize auditory input or remember the methods they have learned to self-regulate. Additionally, students who strug- gle with executive functioning and overwhelm due to these struggles can often become dysregulated when they forget what they need to be doing. Providing visuals for a student is one way to help them stay organized, remind them of what the expecta- tion is, and help them stay focused on the steps to regulate their emotions.
Examples of Fidgets • Store Purchased
Examples of Visuals: • Visual Schedules
o Fidgets are readily available online and in stores. Students often have their own fidgets, such as popping fidgets, spinners, or stress balls.
o Providing a schedule to a student can allow them to anticipate what is coming next and help them stay focused when they are beginning to struggle with emotions.
• Pencil Grips
o Pencil grips come in a variety of textures, which can provide students with a sensory surface to rub when they are working to manage their emotions.
• Time Management Tools
o Time tools such as clocks and timers can help stu- dents understand how long they are expected to stay in an environment or work on a task causing them to feel emotionally escalated. Additionally, the clock can help students plan for regular breaks to check in on their emotions.
• Paperclips
o Linking and unlinking chains of paperclips can be a simple fidget with materials available in almost every classroom.
23
October / November, 2023 | www.closingthegap.com/membership Closing The Gap © 2023 Closing The Gap, Inc. All rights reserved.
BACK TO CONTENTS
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator