Reg Goes Swimming: A Self-Regulatory Story for Kids

Reg (pronounced with a hard ‘g,’ as in ‘regulate’) is a bear who worries about everything. In this instructive story about self-regulating emotions, a young bear figures out how to turn his negative thoughts into positive ones for happier outcomes.

Lori Gard is an elementary school counsellor in Prince Edward Island and operates a virtual counseling clinic. Reg Goes Swimming is the second in a series of books for children to help them deal with emotional ups and downs.

Her writing is instructive, bordering on didactic, but it also has a sweetness to it that saves the story. Reg has learned to stop himself when he his fears begin to build.

Reg pictures his older sister-bear, Co-co.

What would she say?

She would tell him to think wise thoughts and feel his feelings.
Reg knows he needs to figure things out.

He remembers his thoughts. He feels his feelings. He stays calm.

In other words, he gets a grip on himself and applies perspective to his situation. He realizes he’s braver, smarter, stronger, etc. than he thought. Co-co has taught Reg to use his conscience, to be his best self. He needs only to remind himself about that.

Emma Martin draws Reg with a big nose and big bottom, making the scruffy ursine quite lovable looking. He rolls and tumbles, grumbles and finally smiles with flair. Spring is springy around him as the wind whistles and water splashes joyfully.

A teacher or caregiver can use Reg Goes Swimming when teaching about emotions and how to deal with those moments of insecurity or rage. The book can be used to support a unit about behaviours, one which calls for discussion, or at home to deal with tantrums. Reg is a good model for how unpleasant, unhappy, anxious ideas can be assuaged, how children can find a way through those moments and come out better on the other side. It’s a book about maturing, and how children can be proud of themselves for taking the steps themselves.