Self-Reg

Education

Self-Reg and the Joy of Learning

Stuart Shanker D.Phil. on October 31, 2019

How can we teach children and teens who seem to be unwilling to learn? Educators and school leaders have the knowledge and strategies to become a Self-Reg Haven.

How can we teach children and teens who seem to be unwilling to learn? Educators and school leaders have the knowledge and strategies to become a Self-Reg Haven.

Self-Control

The Power of Paradigms

Stuart Shanker D.Phil. on June 20, 2019

It is not inherited genes that lead to unalterable outcomes; it is inherited ways of thinking. But a paradigm only loses its grip if a more powerful one emerges.

It is not inherited genes that lead to unalterable outcomes; it is inherited ways of thinking. But a paradigm only loses its grip if a more powerful one emerges.

Self-Control

Looking at ADHD With a Self-Regulation Lens

Stuart Shanker D.Phil. on January 9, 2019

This distinction between maladaptive and mindful modes of self-regulation is of the utmost importance when working with children with ADHD.

This distinction between maladaptive and mindful modes of self-regulation is of the utmost importance when working with children with ADHD.

Stress

Why Does My Child Hate Math? Part 3

Stuart Shanker D.Phil. on November 9, 2017

How can we help a child with a kindled math alarm? How can we prevent this from happening in the first place?

How can we help a child with a kindled math alarm? How can we prevent this from happening in the first place?

Stress

Why Does My Child Hate Math? Part 2

Stuart Shanker D.Phil. on November 6, 2017

Children are going into fight-or-flight at the mere thought of doing math. Self-regulation helps us to understand why this is happening and what we might do about it.

Children are going into fight-or-flight at the mere thought of doing math. Self-regulation helps us to understand why this is happening and what we might do about it.

Anxiety

Why Does My Child Hate Math? Part 1

Stuart Shanker D.Phil. on November 1, 2017

Math shouldn’t be seen as just a tool, or a compulsory subject. It is an enriching mental experience.

Math shouldn’t be seen as just a tool, or a compulsory subject. It is an enriching mental experience.

Flow

When to Push a Child

Stuart Shanker D.Phil. on September 7, 2017

Self-Reg helps us to understand when and why perseverance turns into something vastly different, with far from salutary effects.

Self-Reg helps us to understand when and why perseverance turns into something vastly different, with far from salutary effects.

Intelligence

Reframing IQ

Stuart Shanker D.Phil. on April 24, 2017

When we measure a child’s “intelligence,” the score we arrive at is a product of the interaction between thinking processes and limbic brakes.

When we measure a child’s “intelligence,” the score we arrive at is a product of the interaction between thinking processes and limbic brakes.

Stress

Why Is My Child So Mentally Lazy?

Stuart Shanker D.Phil. on March 10, 2017

Are children and teens “mentally lazy”? Is it a generation that would rather play than study, or one whose “limbic braking system” is affecting their ability to think and learn?

Are children and teens “mentally lazy”? Is it a generation that would rather play than study, or one whose “limbic braking system” is affecting their ability to think and learn?

Adolescence

Help, I Don’t Speak Limbic

Stuart Shanker D.Phil. on January 18, 2017

The better we can recognize which state teens are in—rational or limbic—the better we can understand and respond to what they are saying and doing.

The better we can recognize which state teens are in—rational or limbic—the better we can understand and respond to what they are saying and doing.

Stress

Self-Reg and Holiday Stress: Restoring the Balance

Stuart Shanker D.Phil. on December 12, 2016

Now more than ever we need to find peace: with each other and not just alone. Our need for peace is as much neurobiological as it is psychological.

Now more than ever we need to find peace: with each other and not just alone. Our need for peace is as much neurobiological as it is psychological.

Deception

The Truth About Lying

Stuart Shanker D.Phil. on November 22, 2016

Lying is the quintessential example of misbehaviour, but confabulating is a stress behaviour.

Lying is the quintessential example of misbehaviour, but confabulating is a stress behaviour.

Stress

Reframing Temperament: “Difficult” vs. “Stressed”

Stuart Shanker D.Phil. on October 18, 2016

Parents need to understand what their child’s limbic system is “telling” them. And when they’re able, children and teens need to do the same.

Parents need to understand what their child’s limbic system is “telling” them. And when they’re able, children and teens need to do the same.

Stress

“Lumos Solem”: Breaking Free from a Stress Cycle

Stuart Shanker D.Phil. on September 1, 2016

How do we break out of a stress cycle? Harry Potter holds some clues. Lumos Solem is actually a pretty good motto for this process.

How do we break out of a stress cycle? Harry Potter holds some clues. Lumos Solem is actually a pretty good motto for this process.

Stress

Caught in a Stress Cycle

Stuart Shanker D.Phil. on August 12, 2016

Stress cycles are impervious to ordinary self-help tips. Like “Devil’s snare”, the more you struggle the harder they grip. So it’s essential to understand when you’re caught in one

Stress cycles are impervious to ordinary self-help tips. Like “Devil’s snare”, the more you struggle the harder they grip. So it’s essential to understand when you’re caught in one

Self-Control

Self-Regulation vs. Self-Control

Stuart Shanker D.Phil. on July 11, 2016

So much of the behaviors we see in children today seems inexplicable until we realize that we are dealing with the effects of excessive stress.

So much of the behaviors we see in children today seems inexplicable until we realize that we are dealing with the effects of excessive stress.

Stress

Self-Reg: The Nature of Stress

Stuart Shanker D.Phil. on June 20, 2016

Self-Reg is a powerful method for understanding stress and managing energy—and it is very different from self-control. We can all break the stress cycle and live successfully.

Self-Reg is a powerful method for understanding stress and managing energy—and it is very different from self-control. We can all break the stress cycle and live successfully.