Power Packs™ Pre-K Self-Regulation Edition app for iPhone and iPad

The free app is a “power pack” of ideas for adults to promote children’s vocabulary, curiosity, independence, and wonder. This edition, specifically aims to BLEND, BRIDGE, and BOOST children’s self-regulation skills. Self-regulation is defined as the conscious control of thoughts, behaviors, and emotions…the ability to stop, think, and then act.

The app works by BLENDING effective teaching strategies with children’s innate curiosity, by BRIDGING early childhood philosophies and research to meet the needs of diverse learners, and by BOOSTING self-regulation skills through intentional teaching during play.

The app helps to create meaningful interactions between children, teachers, and other loving and supportive caregivers. Using the app will elevate personalized learning experiences and the intentionality of Pre-K instruction.

The app consists of ideas (i.e., things adults can say, do, and ask), which span three levels. As preschoolers grow and learn, adults move through the levels to strengthen children’s learning and use of self-regulation skills. Examples of self-regulation skills include, but are not limited to: making plans before taking action, solving problems, taking the perspective of others, getting, keeping, and shifting attention, delaying gratification, ignoring distractions, adapting to change, moving and acting deliberately, considering alternatives, recalling information, and following directions.

Each level is divided into four categories, and each category contains 35 cards with ideas for what adults can say, do, and ask. The four categories include:

1. Building my vocabulary
2. Navigating my space
3. Caring for myself
4. Experiencing my world