Self-determination, the process by which people control their own lives and pursue personally meaningful goals, is considered a fundamental process that serves as a foundation to a fulfilling life (Ryan et al., 2021). Self-determined behavior reflects an individual's ability to express preferences and make choices, have a sense of autonomy, and exert a level of control over the environment, thereby providing a sense of purpose and fostering positive outcomes (Kelly & Shogren, 2014; Wehmeyer et al., 2017). Typically developing children begin to establish the foundations of self-determination in their preschool and elementary years (Palmer et al. 2013; Wehmeyer et al., 2017). However, the elements of self-determination are generally not addressed in schools (Niemiec & Ryan, 2009). Schools have played a limited role in developing self-determination capacity in students, as it is assumed that self-determination skills occur naturally (Niemiec & Ryan, 2009).

Children with disabilities are provided with even fewer opportunities than their non-disabled peers to make personal choices, work toward meaningful goals, or select personally rewarding occupations. Provided with adult-driven goals and assistance throughout their day, children with disabilities lack opportunities to make independent choices and solve problems (Niemiec & Ryan, 2009). Over time, this leads to learned helplessness and diminished quality of life (Cook, 2020).

There are few programs aimed at developing self-determination in young children with disabilities. Captain Me is a video-based, interactive musical program that was created to promote self-determination in young children and help them remember that they are in charge of their own lives. Each music video and corresponding evidence-informed lesson provides children with a simple way to self-teach and reinforce important concepts that lead to independence and self-awareness. Current research confirms that self-determination training supports children's autonomy and future success. These principles are embedded within the Captain Me lessons. Additionally, each video lesson incorporates video modeling, music, puppets, self-talk, and questioning techniques that have been proven to promote children's learning and independence.

Research is underway to determine the value of Captain Me lessons to children, educators, and therapists. Results will be shared on the captainmekids.com website upon the study's completion. Check back frequently to read the Captain Me Blog for updates on self-determination research and strategies. Below you will find scholarly articles on best practices to support children's learning that are embedded within the Captain Me program.

Self-Determination

When children choose their own interests and goals, they are more invested in learning and engagement in tasks is high. Student engagement with school is a strong predictor of positive academic indicators. Low school engagement, on the other hand, is a strong risk factor for poor outcomes, ranging from decreased academic performance and school dropout to dysfunctional and antisocial behaviors. Children afforded the opportunity to explore their own interests, learn basic self-determination skills, and make their own choices exhibit higher engagement and greater motivation and satisfaction (Niemiec & Ryan, 2009).

Choice-making, goal attainment, and problem-solving skills are components of self-determination and are predictive of future satisfaction and success (Wehmeyer et al., 2017). Children who are provided with training in self-determination skills demonstrate more positive adult outcomes including better employment opportunities, improved living situations, and higher quality of life than peers without this training (Shogren, 2015).

Cook, E.C. (2020). Understanding the associations between helicopter parenting and emerging adults' adjustment. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29, 1899-1913.

Kelly, J. R., & Shogren, K. A. (2014). The impact of teaching self-determination skills on the on-task and off-task behaviors of students with emotional and behavioral disorders. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 22(1), 27-40. https://doi.org/10.1177/1063426612470515

Niemiec, C. P., & Ryan, R. M. (2009). Autonomy, competence, and relatedness in the classroom: Applying self-determination theory to educational practice. Theory and Research in Education, 7(2), 133-144. https://doi.org/10.1177/1477878509104318

Palmer, S. B., Summers, J. A., Brotherson, M. J., Erwin, E. J., Maude, S. P., Stroup-Rentier, V., Wu, H.-Y., Peck, N. F., Zheng, Y., Weigel, C. J., Chu, S.-Y., McGrath, G. S., & Haines, S. J. (2013). Foundations for Self-Determination in early childhood: An inclusive model for children with disabilities.Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 33(1), 38-47. https://doi.org/10.1177/0271121412445288

Ryan, R. M., Deci, E. L., Vansteenkiste, M., & Soenens, B. (2021). Building a science of motivated persons: Self-determination theory's empirical approach to human experience and the regulation of behavior. Motivation Science, 7(2), 97-110. https://doi.org/10.1037/mot0000194

Shogren, K. A., Wehmeyer, M. L., Palmer, S. B., Rifenbark, G. G., & Little, T. D. (2015). Relationships between self-determination and postschool outcomes for youth with disabilities. The Journal of Special Education, 48(4), 256-267. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022466913489733

Wehmeyer, M. L., Shogren, K. A., Little, T. D., & Lopez, S. J. (2017).Development of self-determination through the life-course. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1042-6_6

Video Modeling

Video modeling is an evidence-based strategy used to promote skill acquisition, providing a visual model of the targeted behavior or skill. The Captain Me Program uses components of a video modeling approach, in which children watch Cappy think, plan, and solve problems. Some lessons include video modeling opportunities for children to imitate Cappy and incorporate his strategies, while other lessons encourage reflection on the video and follow up discussion.

Bellini, S. & Akullian J. (2007).A meta-analysis of video modeling and video self-modeling interventions for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Council for Exceptional Children, 73, 264-287. https://doi.org/10.1177/001440290707300301

Cardon, T.A., Wilcox, M.J. (2011). Promoting imitation in young children with autism: A comparison of reciprocal imitation training and video modeling.Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 41, 654-666. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-010-1086-8

Mitsch, M. K., Riggleman, S., & Buchter, J. M. (2021). Responding to young children's social-emotional needs through video modeling. Young Exceptional Children, 24(1), 16-27. https://doi.org/10.1177/1096250620910708

Petursdottir, AL., Gudmundsdottir, T. (2021). Supporting social play skill acquisition and generalization of children with autism through video modeling. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05204-4

Songs and Music

The Captain Me Program utilizes songs and music to help children learn self-determination concepts.

Gold B.P., Frank M.J., Bogert B. and Brattico E. (2013) Pleasurable music affects reinforcement learning according to the listener. Frontiers in Psychology, 4:541. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00541

McPherson, G., Astuti, K., Herawan, T., Sugeng, B., Ashadi, Drake, C., Kurniasari, N., Retnowati, E., & Pierewan, A.C. (Eds.). (2019). Influence of playing motion and songs on the social skills of children in early childhood. In 21st Century Innovation in Music Education: Proceedings of the 1st International Conference of the Music Education Community Yogyakarta, Indonesia (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429024931

Mullen, G. (2017). More than words: Using nursery rhymes and songs to support domains of child development. Journal of Childhood Studies, 42(2), 42-53. https://doi.org/10.18357/jcs.v42i2.17841

Puppets

The Captain Me Program uses puppets to motivate and inspire children.

Prihatin, J., Suwartini, S., Anggraeni, S., Aini, K., and Firmansyah, R. (2017). Biology Learning Based on Brain Based Learning Using Cocoon Finger Puppet. Bioedukasi Jurnal Biologi dan Pembelajarannya 15(2): 42-48. https://doi.org/10.19184/bioedu.v15i2.6938

Remer, R. & Tzuriel, D. (2015). "I teach better with the puppet" - Use of puppet as a mediating tool in kindergarten education - an evaluation. American Journal of Educational Research, 3(3), 356-365. https://doi.org/10.12691//education-3-3-15

Smith, L. (2005). Social competency skills through puppetry. In M. Bernier & J. O'Hare (eds.), Puppetry in education and therapy: Unlocking doors to the mind and heart. Bloomington, Indiana: Author House, 73-81.

Self-Talk

The Captain Me Songs are a form of self-talk and are sung using a first-person point-of-view.

Feeney, Danielle M.,"Using positive self-talk and goal-oriented thinking to improve behavioral outcomes for students with learning disabilities" (2019).UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 3721. http://dx.doi.org/10.34917/16076261/

Geurts, B. (2018). Making sense of self talk. Review of Philosophy and Psychology. 9, 271-285. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13164-017-0375-y

Hatzigeorgiadis, A. (2009).“Mechanisms underlying the self-talk-performance relationship: The effects of motivational self-talk on self-confidence and anxiety.”Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 10.1 186-192.

Lodge, J., Tripp, G., & Harte, D. (2000). Think-aloud, thought-listing, and video-mediated recall procedures in the assessment of children's self-talk. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 24(4), 399-418.

Sheldon, K. M., Corcoran, M., & Titova, L. (2021). Supporting one's own autonomy may be more important than feeling supported by others. Motivation Science, 7(2), 176-186. https://doi.org/10.1037/mot0000215

Questioning Approach

The Captain Me program uses a questioning approach to help children think independently.

Burke, K. M., Raley, S. K., Shogren, K. A., Hagiwara, M., Mumbardó-Adam, C., Uyanik, H., & Behrens, S. (2020). A Meta-Analysis of Interventions to Promote Self-Determination for Students with Disabilities. Remedial and Special Education, 41(3), 176-188. https://doi.org/10.1177/0741932518802274

Christenson, R., & Barney, D. (2009). The teaching-learning process: A set of instructional strategies and tactics through analysis of Mosston's spectrum of teaching styles. OAHPERD Journal, XLIV, (3), 31-37. Illinois CITL. (2019). Questioning strategies. Retrieved from https://citl.illinois.edu/citl-101/teaching-learning/resources/teaching-strategies/questioning-strategies

Redfield, D. L., & Rousseau, E. W. (1981). A meta-analysis of experimental research on teacher questioning behavior. Review of Educational Research, 51(2), 237-245. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543051002237

Walsh, J. A., & Sattes, B. D. (2011). Thinking through quality questioning: Deepening student engagement. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Wehmeyer, M., Shogren, K., Palmer, S., Williams-Diehm, K., Little, T. & Boulton, A. (2012). Impact of the self-determined learning model of instruction on self-determination: A randomized-trial control group study. Exceptional Child, 78(2), 135-153. https://doi.org/10.1177/001440291207800201

Wilen, W. (1987). Questions, questioning techniques and effective teaching. National Education Association, Washington. ISBN-0-8106-1485-5.

Self-Determination Resources

Self-Determination Resource Library - Let's Get to Work
Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities
Wisconsin Let's Get to Work project helps youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities in transition. Website features tip sheets, articles, and a self-determination resource library for students, parents, and teachers.
http://www.letsgettoworkwi.org/index.php/lgtw-project-resources/self-determination-resource-library/

Self-Determination Resources
Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities
This Kansas University website features research articles, self-determination curriculum, assessments, and other resources for teachers, researchers, practitioners, and families.
https://selfdetermination.ku.edu/homepage/resources/

I'm Determined
Virginia Department of Education
I'm Determined features resources and on-site programs for youth with disabilities to promote a self-determined life. Resources available for youth, families, and educators.
https://www.imdetermined.org/

SeekFreaks evidence-informed articles and tip sheets
SeekFreaks
Website offers free resources on a variety of topics for practitioners who work with individuals with disabilities, including resources on self-determination.
https://www.seekfreaks.com/

Every Moment Counts
everymomentcounts.org
A multi-pronged mental health promotion initiative to help all youth be mentally healthy in order to succeed in school, at home, and in the community. Featuring curricula, programming ideas, webinars, and capacity building strategies.
https://everymomentcounts.org/