Self-regulation is clearly not an isolated skill. Children
must translate what they experience into information they
can use to regulate thoughts, emotions, and behaviors
(Blair & Diamond 2008). Infants translate the feel of soothing
touch and the sound of soft voices into cues that help
them develop self-calming skills. Toddlers and preschoolers
begin to translate cues from adults, such as “Your turn is
next,” into regulation that helps them inhibit urges to grab
food or toys. They begin to learn how long they must usually
wait to be served food or to have a turn playing with a
desired toy, which helps them regulate emotional tension.