Self-Control for Teens: Using the Self-Controller Scanner
This session teaches self-control for teens, helping older students notice the early physical signs of frustration before feelings take over. They watch a short video about a student who reacts strongly to redoing an assignment, discuss how the body signals frustration before we notice it, and play a quick game where they replay an interaction in steps to spot what each person felt and where things went off track. The takeaway: catching a feeling early makes it easier to stay in control.
Extension activity
- Skill
- Self-Regulation
- Goal
- Using Your Self-Controller
- Grade level
- Middle & High School
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 lessonUsing the Self-Controller Scanner
This video introduces the Self-Controller Scanner, a tool for noticing and managing big feelings. Students learn to scan their brain and body for signals, name what they're feeling to make it easier to manage, decide what might help, and reach out for support when they need it.
- Extension activity
Staying Calm Role-Plays
Students are given problem scenarios and are asked to role-play strategies they would use to stay calm in each situation.
Plus everything you need to teach them
Warm-up
- Video: 4-7-8 Breathing2:13
- Video: Obstacles into Opportunities Visualization1:19
- Video: Yoga Pose Library
Session Opener
Guiding Question: How does self-control help you reach your goals?
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 how to notice the early signs that they are losing self-control, like feeling frustrated when something does not go their way. They practiced identifying those feelings early and using a strategy such as taking a deep breath to stay in control. Noticing these signs early gives them more time to choose how to respond.
Key Terms
- Self-Controller
- Noticing your body's warning signs when a feeling starts to build, then using a calming strategy early. You catch the frustration before it takes over instead of reacting after it does.
- Self-Control
- Noticing a big emotion building inside you and using a calming strategy to stay in charge of your body and choices, instead of letting the feeling take over.
Sample IEP Goal This Session Supports
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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 seems frustrated, you can quietly name what you notice and offer a strategy, like "Looks like that was frustrating. Want to take a slow breath before we keep going?"
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More Self-Regulation Activities
Frequently asked questions
Is this intervention free?
Yes, this ready-to-teach session on Using the Self-Controller Scanner 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 middle and high school students.
What's included?
You'll get access to your choice of warm-up videos, a session opener, a core material on Using the Self-Controller Scanner, three practice prompts, and an extension activity, Staying Calm Role-Plays.
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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