Guidance and links to help you to understand and teach about the blue ‘Regulation Strategies’ cog.
The blue ‘Regulation Strategies’ cog is one of the first 5 cogs we introduce as we help children to develop an understanding of the Emotion Works links and models. It is a good idea to look at regulation strategies in general terms, before introducing these individually.
From the training booklet Word Bank document…
EMOTION REGULATION / FEEL BETTER STRATEGIES – the things we can do, or things that other people can do, to make us feel better or regulated when we are experiencing strong and uncomfortable levels of emotion. Some self-regulating strategies employed will be automatic, intuitive or habitual; others may be consciously and deliberately planned and practiced. Many strategies require co-activity with another person or group. The blue cog concept is also about the strategies that are carried out by a person/ caregiver to help regulate a child or other’s strong emotion.
Please see the word bank document for an extensive list of Regulation Strategies examples.
Some differentiated definitions for your learners
The blue cog is about the things we can do, or that others can do, to help make us or a situation better. Some strategies will be instinctive or a habit (like screaming or running away if scared); some will be thought out or taught to us. Many will require another person to support with carrying them out.
The blue cog is all about helping us feel better.
Links to a range of different resources and practice ideas to help you teach about this cog are provided in the ‘useful resources’ and ‘useful links’ listings elsewhere on this page for you to browse (in the right hand margins on desktop or below on mobile & tablet).
Here are a few of our recommended favourites for resources and ideas to use if you need help getting started…
1. The Regulation Strategies pages from the Poster Set of 5 cogs, or the Poster Set of 5 Cogs (PCS) provide useful visuals and symbol prompts for introductory discussions.
2. The dry-wipe component card for Regulation Strategies.
3. The Regulation Strategies pages in the hard copy symbol book.
4. The Regulation Strategies playground cog (if available).
5. A box of different objects can be used to create a Regulation Strategy (or Blue Cog) Box. Children feel and play with the objects, and say whether they like or dislike them, and if it makes them feel better. Those that the children like can be used to help them feel better. Boxes can be whole class, or for individuals. Objects are often universal for any age or ability but can be easily and quickly adapted to suit older, more able learners or to match personal and collective interests.
http://emotionworks_v2.wiredmonkey.co.uk/resources/1063/
1. The Regulation Strategies page from the Poster Set of 7 cogs provide useful visuals and text prompts for introductory discussions.
2. The dry-wipe component card for Regulation Strategies.
3. The Regulation Strategies playground cog (if available).
4. The “Likes” in the Connect Profile Booklet provide some personalised ideas for positive self-regulation for individual older children.
http://emotionworks_v2.wiredmonkey.co.uk/download/?file=Getting-to-Know-You-Profile-4-page-A4.pdf
5. Favourite characters in familiar or real life scenarios can be helpful to discussion of how to feel better. Depersonalising the conversation is effective in generating greater engagement and deeper discussion (and later, better self reflection and regulation). Here is an example of a 1:1 discussion around a regulation strategy to feel calm.
http://emotionworks_v2.wiredmonkey.co.uk/resources/using-a-minecraft-image-as-a-stimulus-for-a-4-part-learning-conversation/
