Impulse Control for Preschool: My Self-Controller Strategies
This session includes impulse control games, helping young students use their Self-Controller to notice a big feeling and choose a strategy that helps. After a short video that reviews options like taking a deep breath, squeezing their hands, counting to 10, or talking to an adult, students discuss what to do when someone says no. Then they play a quick movement game, showing with their body what could help in different moments.
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 lessonMy Self-Controller Strategies
Learners review the concept of self-control in this video lesson, including the use of appropriate strategies like taking a deep breath, squeezing their hands, counting to 10, taking a break, or talking to an adult.
- Extension activity
Keeping Self-Control
Students will help their favorite plant character make their way through a garden maze to find their friend! Throughout the maze, students will have the opportunity to practice and answer social skills questions to get past the obstacles they face on the path!
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 you when you have big feelings?
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 big feelings can take over their actions, and that using a strategy helps them stay in control and keep safe hands. They practiced ways to settle a big feeling, like taking a deep breath, squeezing their hands, or counting to 10. They also talked about how staying calm helps them make safer choices.
Key Terms
- Self-Controller
- Someone who notices their big feelings early and uses calming strategies.
- Coping Strategy
- A coping strategy is something you can do to help your body feel calm and safe when you have a big feeling. You might take a deep breath, count slowly, or think of something happy to help your body feel better.
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
At home or in the classroom, when a student starts to feel a big feeling, try naming one strategy together, like taking a deep breath or squeezing their hands.
Ready to teach My Self-Controller Strategies?
Get the video, activity and discussion materials with zero prep.
Get These Materials Free
More Self-Regulation Activities
Frequently asked questions
Is this intervention free?
Yes, this ready-to-teach session on My Self-Controller Strategies 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 My Self-Controller Strategies, three practice prompts, and an extension activity, Keeping Self-Control.
What skill does this intervention teach?
This ready-to-teach session is on self-regulation - more specifically, using your self-controller.
Get access to the full curriculum
A no-prep social skills curriculum with a full scope and sequence that builds student skills over time. MTSS-aligned across every tier, with 400+ whole class lessons and 800+ ready-to-teach sessions.
Start a 30-Day Free Trial
