Begin the School Year with Co-Regulation

Written By Emily Daniels

Co-regulation has become a buzz word in education. 

I hear suggestions like, “add co-regulation to his accommodation plan .”  When I hear this, my insides twist and my head throbs.  It’s not because I don’t want people co-regulating with students.  It’s because co-regulation isn’t a strategy or an accommodation!

Co-regulation is a biological-based phenomenon that occurs as an exchange between people.  Dr. Stephen Porges, author of The Polyvagal Theory says, ““Co-regulation involves the mutual regulation of physiological [nervous system]state.”

For example, a baby begins to cry and the momma picks her up, holds her close, sways side to side, and softly hums, “you are my sunshine, my only sunshine…”This is co-regulation. Baby settles. Momma settles.

Momma and baby feel good because they found their way back to regulation together. 

But what gets me is when I read a step-by-step guide written about how to co-regulate with a student in the classroom.

It looks something like this:
Step #1: When a student is escalating, keep a soft, steady, and serious tone.

Step #2:  Encourage the student to identify their feelings in the moment.

Step #3:  Remind the student of the supports available to them when they aren’t at their best.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no. 

“Co-” is latin for with or together.  In other words, co-regulation means regulating together!  How fun is that!? 

Before I explain what we mean by co-regulation, let's tackle some of the most common misconceptions.

Myth #1:

Co-regulation first requires a calm adult. 

FACT: You will become dysregulated in your work as a teacher or an educator.  That’s completely natural and normal.
You will need frequent opportunities to co-regulate with those around you. You can shift your state with your students. 


Myth #2:  

Co-regulation is a strategy 


FACT:  Co-regulation is a biologically-based phenomenon that occurs in the absence of conscious thought or intention. It enables us to return to baseline in our physiology.

Myth #3:

Co-regulation leads to self regulation, thereby we no longer need co-regulation when we develop into adults.

FACT: Co-regulation remains the most powerful means of resetting the nervous system throughout the lifespan. 

At The Regulated Classroom, this is what we say about why you want to prioritize co-regulation:

  • It is bi-directional— it regulates you (the adult co-regulator)!

  • You are biological hardwired to attune, connect, and co-regulate (in other words, it’s not something you explicitly teach or learn)

  • It activates reward pathways in YOUR brain and increases the likelihood that you’ll find your work rewarding instead of draining

  • It reduces your feelings of overwhelm & increases your resilience!


Want to learn about how to co-regulate with your students? Reach out to see how we can help. www.regulatedclassroom.com

Emily Daniels