Select Page

Since entering Rousseau School, I’ve felt as though I’ve walked into a Self-Reg Haven. It’s hard to describe what makes it that way. 

  • Maybe it’s the fact that the hallways are always quiet.
  • Maybe it’s the absence of yelling.
  • Maybe it’s the camaraderie that you see between staff and students.
  • Maybe it’s the laughter and joy that you hear outside on the playground and inside the classrooms.
  • Maybe it’s the sign that greets you on the front door: starting your visit to the school with a positive message.

𝘼𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙖 𝘿𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙧@avivaloca

I love the positive spin on this front door sign: instead of saying, “report to the office.” Words matter!

4Twitter Ads info and privacySee 𝘼𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙖 𝘿𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙧’s other Tweets

Or maybe it’s something different altogether. Last week though, I knew without a doubt, that I was teaching in a Self-Reg Haven.

I still remember the moment it happened. It was the beginning of the second nutrition break, and I was sitting in the staffroom with some other teachers. We were chatting, when all of a sudden, one teacher said, “There’s a child in the closet!” What? To the left of the door, there is a small closet, and sure enough, if you looked closely, you could see a child standing inside. One of the teachers recognized the child and called out his name. He replied, and opened the closet door. He then told us why he was hiding in the closet instead of going outside for recess: he felt as though he “didn’t have any friends.” What I noticed right away is that every person in the staffroom offered to walk with him outside and help him find a place to play and some people that would make him happy.

  • Nobody dismissed his feelings.
  • Nobody spoke harshly to him.
  • Nobody suggested that he go to the office.
  • And absolutely nobody wanted to punish him for hiding in the closet.

Every person wanted to support this child and help him feel better. Every person was willing to give up part of his/her lunchtime to help a student that needed it. This child, like every child in this school, is loved … and this child, like every child in this school, knows it. There’s something to be said for these kinds of relationships. 

As I sat in the staffroom on that day, I realized, I have never heard an educator here speaking negatively about a child. There are always discussions around …

  • what else do our students need?
  • how can we better support them?
  • what is causing them stress?
  • how can we reduce these stressors?

Punishment is never the ultimate goal and children are always seen through an asset lens. Reflecting now, I think that this helps create the makings of a Self-Reg HavenWhat do you think? How do we create these “havens” in all school environments? Everybody deserves to feel the safety, happiness, and sense of calm that comes from an environment such as this one.

Self-Reg Seeds Learning Journey Symbol of a seed sprouting 2 leafs

What is Self-Reg?

Self-Reg is a pathway to calm, resilience, motivation, learning, & well-being.

Early Years

Parents

Schools

The Shanker Method

5 Domain Framework

Free Self-Reg 101 Webinar

Our Mission & Values

About Stuart Shanker

Self-Reg Sunrise Learning Journey symbol of a sunrise over a leaf

Explore how learning Shanker Self-Reg can help your approach to behaviour, dysregulation, emotions and any of the challenges that brought you to Self-Reg as a someone who cares.

Early Childhood Development

*New* Enhancing Resilience

Self-Reg Foundations

School Leadership

Self-Reg Parenting

Learning for Teams

On-Demand Webinars

Upcoming Events

Summer Symposium

Book a Presenter

Self-Reg Quilt Learning Journey Symbol of a leaf in a patch of a quilt

Self-Reg can be practical, community based and woven with other initiatives, movements or priorities. How can you bring Self-Reg to your community or context?

Blogs & Vlogs

Podcasts

Webinars & Upcoming Events

School Leadership Certificate

Learning Facilitator's Certificate

Living, Learning & Linking Certificate

Self-Reg Schools Handbook

REFRAMED Book

Mentoring & Consulting

Self-Reg Haven Learning Journey Symbol of two hands holding and nurturing a leaf up

Havens are our dream for all! A Self-Reg Haven is a place where everyone feels safe in every way: physically, emotionally, socially, and culturally.

I Know a Haven When I Find One

5 Self-Reg Haven Look Fors

Havens 101: Group Learning

RADAR Project Planning Tool

Self-Reg Schools Handbook

Self-Reg Foundations Certificate Program Course Cover of two brothers smiling at each other and holding hands

Self-Reg Foundations

Certificate Program Starts Jan 4

Facilitated Certificates

Self-Directed Courses

On-Demand Webinars

Events - Live & Online

Tools & Strategies

Speakers & Presentations

Books & Publications

Blogs & Vlogs

Podcasts

Graphics with Blogs

Glossary

Translated Resources

Media Releases

Meet Our Team

Newsletter

Contact Us

FAQs