Tools developers featured in new NAEYC publication

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), widely regarded as the ‘gold standard’ in early childhood education by professionals in the field, has launched a new quarterly publication about early learning for its members.

Self-regulation: “Most important” skill for kindergarten

In its spring issue of Educating Young Children (EYC), Tools developers Barbara Wilder-Smith, Elena Bodrova, and Deborah Leong present Strengthening the "Self" in Self-Regulation in Pre-K and Kindergarten: A Bridge to Lifelong Learning.

In the article, our authors recognize self-regulation as “one of the most important” skills children can develop as they prepare for kindergarten. They describe how effectively managing their thoughts, emotions, and actions “sets children up for success,” and supports the choices children make as they navigate both academic and social challenges.

“Research shows that a child’s ability to self-regulate in the early years is a stronger predictor of later success in reading and math than even IQ scores.”
- Wilder-Smith, Bodrova, and Leong in “Strengthening the "Self" in Self-Regulation in Pre-K and Kindergarten: A Bridge to Lifelong Learning,” Educating Young Children, Spring 2026

How early educators can ‘set the stage’ for children’s success

As our partners in Tools classrooms know, self-regulation can be fostered over time through intentional practice opportunities. Here, Tools developers describe strategies that all early educators can use in their classrooms to support children’s self-regulation. By building routines that provide children with structured choices and opportunities for practice, educators develop child agency through supportive guidance and scaffolding. Our authors recommend:

For more about how to implement these strategies and better understand the key role of self-regulation in young children’s transition to kindergarten and beyond, read the EYC article.

To see more from Tools about what school and program leaders can do to support children’s self-regulation, read this post on our recent Tools EdWeek Spotlight.