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Being able to control your attention and concentration helps children learn new information and skills better.
A study by the universities of Zurich and Mainz has found that teaching children self-regulation skills in primary school has a positive long-term impact on their educational success.
Let's find out more.
Despite not typically associated with young children, the pandemic-related school closures and increased digital media usage have highlighted the importance of these abilities.
The research shows that individuals who demonstrate self-regulation as children tend to have higher income, better health, and greater life satisfaction later in life.
The study aimed to explore how self-regulation training could be integrated into the elementary school day without consuming too much teaching time.
The study involved more than 500 first graders in randomized controlled trials at various elementary schools.
The results demonstrated that even a short training unit significantly improved self-regulation and had sustainable effects.
The children who received the training showed improved reading abilities and better focus on avoiding careless mistakes one year later.
Early investments in fundamental skills like self-regulation have far-reaching positive impacts beyond the child's life and should receive more attention in education policy.
Integrating self-regulation training in primary school can empower children to take more responsibility for their learning, set goals, and work towards them, enhancing their overall educational attainment and future success.