Self-Control for Kids: Using the Scanner at School
This session includes self-control activities for kids, helping students spot early body clues at school, like a fast heartbeat or sweaty hands. Through a short video that models the Self-Controller Scanner, a discussion about what the body can tell them, and a quick game where they name calming strategies in turn, students practice scanning their brain and body. The takeaway: noticing feelings early makes it easier to stay in control at school.
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 lessonUsing Your Self-Controller Scanner at School
This video models how to keep self-control in school by using your Self-Controller Scanner. This tool helps you learn to scan your brain and body to notice your feelings when you become upset. Then we walk you through strategies you can use to keep control of these emotions.
- Extension activity
Self-Control and Calm Body
We're learning how to belly breathe to quickly calm our brains so we can stay in control of our feelings. Can anyone describe in detail how to belly breathe?
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: What can body clues tell a person?
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 use a "self-controller scanner" to check their brain and body and notice physical signs that a big feeling is building, like a racing heart or sweaty hands. They practiced naming what they were feeling and choosing a strategy that fit the moment, such as taking a break or squeezing their hands together. They also worked on telling the difference between big and small problems and knowing when asking an adult for help is a good option.
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.
- Body Clues
- Body clues are signals you notice inside your body, like a fast heartbeat, a hot face, or tense muscles, that tell you a feeling is starting. Noticing them early can help you figure out what your body needs.
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
When a strong feeling starts to build at home or at school, try asking what they notice in their body first. Then they can pick a strategy like squeezing their hands or taking a few belly breaths.
Ready to teach Using the Scanner at School?
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 Using the Scanner at School 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 Using Your Self-Controller Scanner at School, three practice prompts, and an extension activity, Self-Control and Calm Body.
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
