Self-Control Games for Preschool: I Can Keep Self-Control
This session includes self-control games, helping young students keep self-control when big feelings like mad show up during play. After a short video, students talk about what helps a body stay safe and share ideas for what they could do when they start to feel mad. They then play a quick movement game, marching and freezing to show with their bodies how they might respond. The focus is noticing feelings early and choosing a calming strategy like belly breathing.
Extension activity
- Skill
- Self-Regulation
- Goal
- Using Your Self-Controller
- Grade level
- Pre-K & K
Get everything you need to teach the skill
These materials are part of a no-prep session designed by our clinical team, with all the structure, scaffolding, and support you need to teach included.
Engaging materials
Video modeling lessonI Can Keep Self-Control
In this video lesson, learners are introduced to the concept of self-control and what strategies they can use when big feelings arise.
- Extension activity
Interactive Worksheet: How I Keep Self-Control
In this interactive sequencing activity, learners review the concept of self-control.
Plus everything you need to teach them
Warm-up
- Video: Lion and Cat Breathing3:12
- Video: Our Senses Calming Break2:27
- Video: Yoga Pose Library
Session Opener
Guiding Question: What helps a body stay safe?
Practice
- Discussion Question
- Role-Play Activity
- Mini Game
How to use it with your students
- 1Watch Play the video modeling lesson so students see the skill in action.
- 2Practice Try the skill together with a discussion prompt, role-play, or mini game.
- 3Extend Use the extension activity to help students carry the skill further.
What's Covered
In this lesson, students learned that keeping self-control means making safe choices and keeping safe hands and bodies even when big feelings come up. They practiced noticing when they start to feel mad or upset and using a calming strategy like belly breathing to help their bodies feel ready. Students also worked on using words to share how they were feeling.
Key Terms
- Self-Controller
- Someone who notices their big feelings early and uses calming strategies.
- Belly Breathing
- Belly breathing is when you put your hands on your belly, breathe in slowly through your nose, and breathe out through your mouth. It can help your body feel calm when you have a big feeling.
Sample IEP Goal This Session Supports
-
Using Your Self-Controller
Learner will use their Self-Controller to manage stress responses when triggers arise (e.g., unexpected changes, transitions away from preferred activities) by recognizing stress signals and applying a self-selected strategy before reacting in 4 out of 5 opportunities independently/given X prompt(s).
Send this tip home to support generalization
Try asking what a student noticed in their body when a big feeling came up at home or in the classroom, then take a belly breath together.
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More Self-Regulation Activities
Frequently asked questions
Is this intervention free?
Yes, this ready-to-teach session on I Can Keep Self-Control is free. You can access this intervention free for 14 days through the Everyday Speech Session Library. Every user gets three free sessions, but you can get more or extend your access by sharing the Session Library with friends and colleagues.
What ages is this for?
These materials are designed for PreK and kindergarten students.
What's included?
You'll get access to your choice of warm-up videos, a session opener, a core material on I Can Keep Self-Control, three practice prompts, and an extension activity, Interactive Worksheet: How I Keep Self-Control.
What skill does this intervention teach?
This ready-to-teach session is on self-regulation - more specifically, using your self-controller.
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