Hosts: Tara Ross & Kristen Smith, SLPs with UGDSB

Special Guests: 

Linda Murphy, Author of The Co-Regulation Handbook, 

Ruby Dellil, Principal, Upper Grand District School Board

Episode Overview:

Welcome back to the Upper Grand District School Board Social Learning Road Trip podcast! In this week’s episode, Tara Ross and Kristen Smith, both Speech-Language Pathologists at UGDSB, are joined by two incredible guests: Linda Murphy, author of the Co-Regulation Handbook, and Ruby Dalil, an elementary school principal at UGDSB. Together, they continue the conversation from last week, diving into the practical application of co-regulation in the classroom and beyond. This week’s episode gives listeners a crash course in co-regulation, covering foundational concepts, strategies for implementation, and how this dynamic practice can be used to foster authentic learning experiences.

Key Takeaways:

1. Co-regulation is a dynamic partnership: It’s a shared experience where both communication partners—whether adults or peers—respond to each other moment-to-moment. It’s less about directing the other person and more about being present in the interaction.
2. Competent roles build regulation: Giving students a role they feel confident in, especially during moments of dysregulation, creates a sense of safety and helps them regain emotional control.
3. Focus on process, not just product: Rushing to finish tasks can rob us of the rich learning opportunities that come from navigating challenges. Co-regulation allows students and teachers to slow down and engage with the process of learning, which leads to deeper understanding.
4. Co-regulation extends beyond adults: Although co-regulation is often seen as an adult-to-student interaction, it can also be incredibly effective in peer-to-peer exchanges, especially when the students are ready for more dynamic, unpredictable interactions.

Connect With Our Guest, Linda Murphy:  www.declarativelanguage.com