Introduction
Teaching young children how to manage their thoughts and feelings is crucial for their personal and social development. One method to help PreK students develop self-control is by introducing the concept of the Self-Controller Scanner. This tool helps children recognize when they are losing control and provides them with strategies to regain composure. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity, discussion questions, related skills, and how to access free sample materials for educators.
No-Prep Activity: The Self-Controller Scanner
This activity is designed to help students practice using their Self-Controller Scanner and requires no preparation or materials from the educator. Follow these steps:
- Explain the concept of the Self-Controller Scanner to your students, emphasizing the importance of staying in control of their thoughts and feelings.
- Guide the students through the process of scanning their brain and body to determine if they are paying attention, understand the topic, and assess their emotions.
- Encourage the students to think of different strategies they can use when they feel like they are losing control. For example, taking deep breaths, counting to ten, or asking for help.
- Have the students practice selecting the best strategy for different situations, such as when they are feeling overwhelmed or frustrated.
- Role-play scenarios where students can practice using their Self-Controller Scanner and chosen strategies to regain control.
Discussion Questions
Use these questions to stimulate further discussions about self-control and the Self-Controller Scanner:
- Why is it important to stay in control of our thoughts and feelings?
- What are some situations where using the Self-Controller Scanner might be helpful?
- What strategies have you used in the past to regain control when you felt overwhelmed or frustrated? Did they work for you?
- How can we support our friends when they are using their Self-Controller Scanner?
- What can we do if the first strategy we tried didn’t help us regain control? Should we try another one or ask for help?
Related Skills
Besides the Self-Controller Scanner, there are other relevant skills that can help students develop self-control and emotional regulation. Some of these skills include:
- Identifying and expressing emotions: Teaching students to recognize and communicate their feelings can help them manage their emotions better.
- Active listening: Encouraging students to focus on what others are saying and respond appropriately can improve their attention and understanding.
- Problem-solving: Guiding students in finding solutions to challenges can help them feel more in control and less overwhelmed.
- Cooperation and teamwork: Fostering a collaborative environment can support students in managing their emotions and working together towards common goals.
Next Steps
If you found the Self-Controller Scanner and related skills helpful, we encourage you to explore more resources for teaching social-emotional learning to your PreK students. Sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech, where you can access a variety of tools and activities designed to support the development of essential social-emotional skills in young children.
