INTRODUCTION

This affect regulation training app (also known as Mr Fox) has been developed for players under the age of 12. Affect regulation refers to an individual’s ability to regulate their emotional states in order to adapt to the demands of the environment.

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TARGET

Primary students with special educational needs

 

FEATURES

• A timer

• The amount of jewels collected

• Size and direction of the steps for the player to choose

• Running function (i.e., when Mr. Fox calls “lunch time”, the player has to run back to the start line)

• Risk level of the zone

• Card-flipping session

• Location and size of treasure box for each round

• Number of lives

• Level of the game player has achieved

• Number of jewels which has been collected

• Special weapon / equipment that the player can use

• A world map showing the stage that the player has achieved

 

HOW TO PLAY?

Players need to pay attention to what time Mr Fox says it is, and make decisions about when to take small steps and when to take long steps. The aim of the game is to get the maximum number of gems on the treasure wall behind Mr Fox without getting caught.

 

EVIDENCE-BASED AFFECT REGULATION TRAINING

Research into evidence-based affect regulation training at the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University (2018) and Stanford University (Obradović, 2019) found that the Mr. Fox game can positively impact children’s executive functioning skills especially in decision-making. While children have to pay attention to what Mr. Fox is saying, they also have to decide on strategies such as when to take either smaller or longer steps.