Directions in Self Private Speech and Regulation
In the use of the term self-regulation another term that is often used is self-direction. This is similar to self-regulation and the two in fact go hand in hand. We all aim to become self directed in life and this is really the ability to plan and guide and monitor our own behaviors and to be able to adapt these to suit particular circumstances from within. At the start of life when we were children most of us would sometimes be in a middle point. Sometimes we think before acting and sometimes we just act. As development progresses it is hoped that all this action will be thought through and we will be thinking before we act.
This is an important lesson to learn as children as when we are able to guide our own behavior we are able to plan and carry out plans effectively. We are able to monitor our own behavior and observe and evaluate it as well and in this process set goals and aims to achieve. By fostering self-direction or regulation we are indeed empowering ourselves to succeed. We are creating independent individuals that can stand on their own two feet and that are able to face life head on.
Self-regulation and self-direction are not the same as self-control. Self-control is where we listen to the commands of others and follow it. Self-direction and regulation are where we guide ourselves. Private speech is the first cue to self-direction or regulation. This is developed early in life if it is fostered. This encourages the modulation of behavior to suit our thoughts. We manipulate situations to suit our needs and to overcome problems. When we vocalize we are able to process better and overcome problems through decisive thinking.
When we are developing during childhood if we become too automated to follow directions we will achieve self-control and never move to self-direction or regulation. When we adults we will therefore face either one of two difficult circumstances. Either we show rigid control and the need to loosen up or we illustrate a total lack of control and are too impulsive. These two extremes can be serious problems and they can affect all areas of our lives. We need to be able to achieve a balance through these two and this will equip us well and aid our self development.
If as children this area in our lives was stunted then a good place to start is with private thought and speech. We have to listen and talk to our internal self. Private speech will vocalize and aid us in processing thoughts in a logical fashion and we will be able to move away from the extremes of impulse and rigidity to a more balanced individual that is logical.
We have to learn to plan, monitor and assess situations that concern us and to move forward empowered with this knowledge. When we can control ourselves we can direct our goals and we are poised to succeed. It is better and simpler to get the full benefits of private speech when we are younger but if not it is never too late.
If we have children however we should focus on making life easier for them and foster their growth and development and equip them to be self directed and regulated individuals that can face the world head on. Often we may see that a child that employed private speech has improved self-motivation and has more self-confidence than the child that does not. Thus we want to encourage our children to build and use these tools.
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