My most widely read post ever has been Dr. Stuart Shanker and Self-Regulation, which is a summary of Dr. Stuart Shanker’s presentation at the November 2010, BCSSA Fall Conference. It was around this time Shanker started to become known in the BC educational community, because of his work in Ontario and from a few presentations he had made on self-regulation in British Columbia. Since then, he has become an extremely influential figure in early learning, as well as on how we look at students with unique needs, and at student support service models throughout our province. And, last month, he shared centre stage with the Honourable George Abbott, Minister of Education, as they discussed ‘the way forward’ in education to board chairs, superintendents, secretary-treasurers and principals.
So, what is the message he is sharing?
Shanker has presented the marshmallow test video on several occasions to provoke a room. And, just as the Did You Know videos became synonymous with the changing world of education and Sir Ken Robinson’s RSA Animate video, so directly linked to educational change, it is rare for someone to present now on self-regulation without showing or at least referencing this video:
Shanker argues that approximately 70 per cent of kids cannot wait to eat the marshmallow, and that longitudinal studies done on the kids who do wait show they do perform better in life, have better entrance scores to university, better relationship success, and higher standings on a number of other factors (Shanker does acknowledge there has been some debate about this test and what it represents — but maintains that recent data has supported the original findings).
Using the marshmallow test as a backdrop, Shanker argues there is research to show that we can actually improve a child’s ability to self-regulate — that is, to manage stress (environmental, physiological, emotional, cognitive, and social) and this ability is particularly important for students with special needs, because these students have too many stresses to control themselves and not enough energy to self-regulate.
In the classroom, Shanker says we need to support children so they are not overstimulated or overstressed. This involves giving students the ability to learn self-regulatory skills so that they can self-regulate when stressed, and this can also include adapting to their learning environment with more opportunities for physical activity (see Spark for more information on this).
Shanker is not afraid to be bold. Here is a collection of other semi-related ideas he has shared at the recent event with the Minister:
- Diagnoses get in the way of student progress. It is better to identify a child’s strengths and work to mitigate the child’s deficits by focussing on strengths
- Parent education does not work — we need models where parents actually engage (StrongStart was shared as a positive example)
- Since interventions for FASD, ADHS, ASD etc. are similar; don’t focus on the diagnosis; rather, focus on the menu of interventions appropriate to the child
He ended with something I have heard him say many times before . . . . there is “no such thing as a bad, stupid or lazy kid.” These are powerful words with a powerful message.
Over the last 18 months, Shanker’s work has become hugely influential in West Vancouver and around British Columbia. There are three key areas of energy that I often speak on currently happening in West Vancouver: digital literacy, inquiry and self-regulation, although, I did not know what self-regulation was just two years ago.
Shanker’s work is exciting, and it offers a new lens on the struggle children have growing up. We are looking forward at thoughtful research on the success of self-regulation initiatives to better meet the needs of our most needy learners, as well as the needs of all learners.
Thank you for sharing this post on the work of Stuart Shankar. I was lucky enough to hear him speak at West Bay school in November and was both inspired and encouraged by what he had to say about children and learning. Most of what Dr. Shankar had to say affirmed my beliefs about what I already knew about how children learn through my experience in teaching and parenting. I have always been a big proponent of focusing on a child’s strengths to help him or her overcome deficits and now there is research to back it up. Children thrive in an encouraging environment when they are seen as capable, important and unique. I am excited that his ideas are being heard and applied widely in West Vancouver, where my own children attend school.
Thanks Kelly. We are very fortunate to have staff in West Vancouver who are taking the work of Dr. Shanker and applying it in the classroom. We have worked in all our primary classrooms this year around strategies to support self-regulation and this will continue next year. Yesterday self-regulation was the key topic at the DPAC Meeting, and there was excitement about the possibilities. We are looking forward to working closely with Dr. Shanker next year as we grow this work.
Thanks again for taking the time to give feedback.
I am so thankful that Dr. Shankar is advocating for focusing on a child’s strengths to mitigate his or her deficits. His work is giving us something concrete and positive to bring to staff meetings and IEP meetings when we discuss students. I certainly hope that this is the leading edge of a culture shift toward a strengths-based understanding and approach to student (and adult) learning.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Neil – I find that Dr. Shanker’s message is so hopeful and powerful. I think we are definitely ready to embrace his thinking, and have already in many places. There seems to be general agreement that we can’t just do more of the same with students with unique challenges, and Dr. Shanker offers a path doing not just different but different and better.
Thank-you for sharing this blog with us. I have heard about this experiment before, but never understood it until I read your blog. Also, thank-you for coming in to speak to my class about your job, I found it very interesting and learned alot.
Thanks Michaela – I am glad the presentation was helpful, and it is great to hear that you also enjoyed the story behind teh marshmallow video!
Thanks for sharing this experiment with us. I found it really interesting and entertaining to watch the video of the children trying not to eat the marshmallow. Also, thank you for visiting us today and telling us about your job. It was fun to hear about what you do.
Thanks Alexis. Yes, the video is very interesting. I was surprised to hear that those who didn’t eat the marshmallow did so much better in school – it is an interesting experiment to try with people we know and see how they react.
I appreciate the kind words about my presentation.
very funny to see how the end , ended great post
Thanks Samantha – I am glad you enjoyed the post and video. You will have to see if you can stand to wait and not eat the marshmallow.
Hi, I have just heard Dr Shankar speak and am quite inspired. I have two children, one on the spectrum and one with learning difficulties. Can you point me in the direction of a ‘how to’ self regulate text? Many thanks
Hi Kerri – I don’t have any particular text, but I know Dr. Shanker is coming out with a book this summer which should be right along these lines.
Hi Chris, I watched Stuart Shanker’s presentation on youtube and was inspired! We have a 3 year old in the family that will certainly benefit from learning how to self regulate. How do we go about finding someone that can help us implement a plan to help this child and all of us!. Fortunately, the whole family is willing to support her and her parents. We just need direction.
This is wonderful that you are sharing information and expertise with us through your blogs! Thank you!
Hi Teresa – As a resource there is this site that several of our school districts are sharing information on self-regulation: http://www.self-regulation.ca/. Stuart also has a new book just available that is a helpful resource. Finally – your school principal or others in the school district would likely be good contacts.
Thanks for the kind words about the blog!
[…] well over 10,000 views. To recap, the first post in November 2010 is here and the second one here was written in April […]