As educators, it is important to teach students the skills they need to maintain self-control and be aware of their body’s signals. By incorporating principles of Social-Emotional Learning, we can help students develop the necessary skills to navigate their emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations. This blog post will provide an overview of these essential skills, a no-prep activity for educators, stimulating discussion questions, and related skills for further exploration.
Introduction
Self-control and body awareness are crucial skills for students to learn, especially in Special Education settings. When students are able to recognize their body’s signals, such as hunger, thirst, or energy levels, they can take appropriate steps to manage their emotions and behaviors. By teaching students to notice how they feel and respond to their body’s cues, we empower them to take charge of their own well-being and learning experiences.
No-Prep Activity: Body Sensations Game
This activity requires no preparation or materials, making it an easy addition to any classroom routine. The purpose of the Body Sensations Game is to help students become more aware of their body’s signals and practice self-control in various situations.
- Have students sit in a circle or at their desks.
- Ask students to close their eyes and take a few deep breaths.
- Guide students through a series of sensations, asking them to notice how their body feels. For example, you might ask them to imagine feeling hot, cold, hungry, thirsty, or full of energy.
- After each sensation, ask students to share how they would respond to that feeling in a healthy and controlled manner (e.g., getting a drink of water when thirsty, taking deep breaths when feeling too energetic).
- Repeat the process with different sensations and responses to help students build a repertoire of self-control strategies.
Discussion Questions
- Why is it important to be aware of our body’s signals and sensations?
- How can recognizing and responding to our body’s cues help us maintain self-control?
- What strategies can you use to manage your emotions and behaviors when you feel hungry, thirsty, tired, or full of energy?
- How can practicing self-control and body awareness help you in your daily life and learning experiences?
- Can you think of a time when you noticed your body’s signals and took steps to get back in control? How did it help you?
Related Skills
As students develop their self-control and body awareness skills, it is important to introduce them to other relevant skills that can support their social-emotional learning journey. Some related skills include:
- Mindfulness: Teaching students to focus on the present moment and their body’s sensations can help them develop greater self-control and awareness.
- Emotion Regulation: Learning to identify, understand, and manage emotions is a key component of maintaining self-control.
- Problem-Solving: Encouraging students to think critically about how to respond to various situations can help them develop effective self-control strategies.
- Communication: Practicing open and honest communication can help students express their needs and feelings, allowing them to better manage their emotions and behaviors.
Next Steps
By incorporating self-control and body awareness skills into your teaching, you can help Special Education students develop the tools they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom. To access even more resources and sample materials to support your students’ social-emotional learning, be sure to sign up for free samples at Everyday Speech.
