Emotional Regulation (Hot Executive Function)
Managing emotional responses to achieve goals, including delaying gratification and coping with frustration.
Examples & Achievements
- Waits for a larger reward instead of taking a smaller immediate one
- Uses words to express frustration instead of hitting or crying
- Calms down after a disappointment with minimal adult help
- Persists with a challenging task instead of giving up immediately
How to Measure
- Gift delay task (can wait 60 seconds before opening a wrapped gift)
- Less-is-more task (point to smaller set to receive larger set)
- Teacher/parent rating of emotional regulation (e.g., ERC - Emotion Regulation Checklist)
- Observation of recovery time after frustration
Sources (3)
- Zelazo (2015)
- CASEL
- Head Start ELOF