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SELF-REG IN EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

Level 1 Certificate Program 

$745 CAD Full Program

★★★★★  See All Reviews

One of the best ways to invest in our children’s future is to invest in our early childhood educators (ECEs). After all, Dr. Stuart Shanker says they have the most important job in the world!

Young children are already capable. Our role as adults is to create relationships and experiences that make room for children to safely explore. Within that safety, children can grow and expand what they’re capable of. We can understand children’s stress and learn to address it (and our own) to support self-regulation. Self-Reg is Dr. Stuart Shanker’s framework for enhancing self-regulation by understanding and dealing with stress.

The Self-Reg in Early Childhood Development Program is perfect for all educators and leaders who support kids in their earliest years! The certificate program is 100% online and includes three courses that explore child development from birth to age 10.

Join us for the next cohort starting:

About the Program

Photo of Stuart and Susan from the Early Childhood Development Program, with the quote "Self-Reg: There is not a child for whom we can't do this. The only thing in our way is if we assume that we can't do it." - Stuart Shanker

What will you learn? 

    • to look at early development through the lens of Self-Reg
    • to understand stress in a whole new way 
    • what it means to manage energy and tension
    • new ways to understand and respond to challenges in behaviour, temperament, learning, and much more!

How will you learn?

    • 100% online
    • 3 distinct courses
    • facilitated over 14 weeks
    • 12 modules total
    • 1 week break after each course
    • roughly 3-5 hours per week
    • no tests, quizzes, or exams

Who’s taking our courses? Hundreds of passionate learners from all over the world have already completed this Early Childhood Development program! The program is a perfect fit for all professionals and parents who care for and work with young children. This program is for: early childhood educators (ECEs), educational assistants, kindergarten teachers, teachers Grades 1-3, researchers, principals, speech and language pathologists, behaviour specialists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and more!

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

CALENDAR

We run new cohorts of our Self-Reg in Early Childhood Development Certificate Program throughout the year.

Pick the start date that is best for you and your team. Check out all of our program start, specific module and end dates in our Course Calendar here.

Course 1. Self-Reg in the Early Years

    • Module 1: Moving Beyond Deterministic Thinking
    • Module 2:The Interbrain and Self-Reg
    • Module 3: The Interbrain in Early Childhood Education
    • Module 4: The Triune Brain and Self-Reg

Course 2. Self-Reg Reframe of Human Development

    • Module 5: Optimal Self-Regulation: Seeking Red Brain-Blue Brain Balance
    • Module 6: Reframing Temperament
    • Module 7: Reframing Attachment
    • Module 8: Reframing Personality

Course 3. The Immeasurable Impact of the Self-Reg ECE

    • Module 9: Unpacking Intelligence
    • Module 10: Reframing Intelligence
    • Module 11: Foundations Building
    • Module 12: The Self-Reg ECE

You can check out detailed module descriptors here.

    ECD Program Reviews

    4.9
    4.9 out of 5 stars (based on 186 reviews)
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    a must take

    July 17, 2026

    This course was well worth the time.

    The course content was relevant to all our lives. The calm we and all those around us can find

    ingrid

    Grounded in Neuroscience, Guided by Compassion: Honoring the Impact of ECE Educators

    May 2, 2026

    This Self-Reg course has been truly transformative for me as an educator. It has completely shifted how I understand children, behavior, and even myself. Instead of seeing behavior as something to manage, I now see it as a signal of stress—and that change in perspective has been incredibly powerful.

    What makes this course so impactful is how it is grounded in neuroscience while still being deeply practical. It gave me not only the why behind children’s behavior, but also the tools, language, and mindset to respond with more compassion and intention in my daily practice.

    There were so many “ah-ha” moments throughout the journey, especially realizing how deeply connected stress, relationships, and learning truly are. I now feel more equipped to create environments where children feel safe, calm, and ready to learn—and just as importantly, to take care of my own regulation so I can support theirs.

    I am also incredibly grateful to be part of a community that values this work and recognizes the important role educators play in shaping children’s lives.

    I truly believe this course should be a foundational part of all early childhood education programs. It is not just professional learning—it is life-changing.

    So proud to be part of the Self-Reg community.

    Lola

    Great Course

    April 28, 2026

    A great course! I feel more calm and patient, and have a much better understanding of self regulation and behaviours.

    Erica

    A Valuable and Eye-Opening Learning Experience

    April 27, 2026

    I would give this course 4 stars because it provided a strong foundation in understanding children’s behaviour through the lens of stress and Self-Reg. It helped me shift my mindset from managing behaviour to understanding the “why” behind it, which has been very useful in my work in early childhood education. The concepts were meaningful and applicable, especially around co-regulation and the five domains. At times, I wished for more concrete, real-life strategies and examples that could be immediately applied in the classroom. Overall, it was a valuable course that supported both my personal growth and professional practice.

    Mariella

    the power of self-reg is enlightening!

    April 26, 2026

    I loved this course. It is so good for my pedagogical practice, as the children/generations seem to be changing, it is hard to keep up and keep modifying your class to suit different behaviours. With this course, bring it back to its origin. Science never fails. Its nothing new, its not a gimmick. Straight facts. Loved learning about self-reg!

    Daniela

    Still not sure?

    See what our learners have to say here or email us at info@self-reg.ca if you have any questions

    Group Pricing: 10% off is always available for groups of 6 or more learners, simply use the discount code GROUPDISCOUNT at checkout or email info@self-reg.ca for invoicing.

    Equity Pricing: We know that pricing can be a barrier, that’s why we offer a number of equity priced spots for those paying out of pocket with each cohort we offer. Learn more and join the waitlist here.

    GST/HST Tax Exempt? Feel free to reach out to us at info@self-reg.ca with your exemption number and we can invoice you