Self-Control for Kids: Advocating in the Classroom
This session includes self-control activities for kids, helping students notice when the classroom feels too noisy or uncomfortable and speak up for what they need. They explore the guiding question of why self-advocacy matters, talk through how to tell an adult what would help, and take turns in a quick game naming ways to speak up in class. The takeaway is a set of words students can use to get what they need.
Extension activity
- Skill
- Self-Regulation
- Goal
- Using Your Self-Controller
- Grade level
- Elementary 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 lessonAdvocating in the Classroom
After using our Self-Controller Scanner to know we're uncomfortable, we learn that advocating for ourselves is an important strategy that helps us get what we need in order to stay balanced and calm.
- Extension activity
Self-Control Scenarios
Students are given stressful scenarios and asked how they would keep self-control.
Plus everything you need to teach them
Warm-up
- Video: Hot Cocoa Breathing2:05
- Video: Daily Intention2:59
- Video: Body Squeeze2:12
Session Opener
Guiding Question: Why does speaking up for yourself matter?
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 speaking up for what they need is one way to stay steady when something starts to feel uncomfortable. They practiced noticing when they were starting to feel overwhelmed and asking an adult for help in a respectful way, using polite phrases like "Excuse me," or "I need" before their feelings got too big.
Key Terms
- Self-Controller
- Noticing when big feelings start to build inside you and using a calming strategy early so you can stay in control. When a crowd or a busy moment makes you nervous, you pick the strategy that helps you feel best.
- Self-Advocate
- Being a self-advocate means understanding your own needs and speaking up for them in a respectful way so you can learn and feel comfortable at school.
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 they noticed in their body at home or in the classroom when something started to feel uncomfortable. Then try naming one phrase like "Excuse me, can I take a break?" that they could try next time.
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Frequently asked questions
Is this intervention free?
Yes, this ready-to-teach session on Advocating in the Classroom 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 elementary school students.
What's included?
You'll get access to your choice of warm-up videos, a session opener, a core material on Advocating in the Classroom, three practice prompts, and an extension activity, Self-Control Scenarios.
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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