Introduction

Teaching self-control to Kindergarten students is an essential aspect of Social-Emotional Learning. The Self-Controller Scanner is a valuable tool that helps young children understand their thoughts and feelings, and develop strategies for staying in control. By using the Self-Controller Scanner, students learn to recognize when they are losing control, choose a suitable strategy, and take steps to regain control. This blog post will introduce an engaging no-prep activity, discussion questions, related skills, and additional resources for educators to help their students develop self-control skills.

No-Prep Activity: The Self-Controller Scanner Role-Play

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator. The goal is to help students practice using their Self-Controller Scanner and explore different strategies for regaining control through role-play.

1. Divide the students into small groups. Assign each group a scenario where a student might lose control. Examples include a change in schedule, not being chosen for a game, or forgetting their lunch at home.
2. Ask the students to discuss and identify the feelings associated with the scenario. Encourage them to use their Self-Controller Scanner to check if they are paying attention, understand the situation, and recognize their emotions.
3. Next, guide the students to brainstorm strategies for regaining control. They can consider options like taking a break, talking to an adult, or using calming techniques such as deep breathing.
4. Once the groups have chosen a strategy, ask them to role-play the scenario. One student will act as the person losing control, while the others will support them in using their Self-Controller Scanner and implementing the chosen strategy.
5. After the role-play, facilitate a class discussion about the experience, focusing on the strategies used and their effectiveness.

Discussion Questions

1. How did it feel to use the Self-Controller Scanner during the role-play? Did it help you understand your emotions better?
2. Which strategies worked well for regaining control in the different scenarios? Can you think of any other strategies that might be helpful?
3. Why is it important to recognize when we are losing control? How can the Self-Controller Scanner help us in real-life situations?
4. How can you support your classmates when they are using their Self-Controller Scanner and trying to regain control?
5. Can you think of a time when you lost control and could have used the Self-Controller Scanner? How might the outcome have been different?

Related Skills

Developing self-control through the Self-Controller Scanner is just one aspect of Social-Emotional Learning for Kindergarten students. Other related skills that can help students thrive include:

• Emotional awareness: Understanding and recognizing emotions in oneself and others.
• Empathy: Developing the ability to understand and share the feelings of others.
• Problem-solving: Learning to identify and resolve conflicts in a healthy and constructive manner.
• Communication: Building effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• Resilience: Cultivating the ability to bounce back from setbacks and cope with challenges.

Next Steps

Now that you have learned about the Self-Controller Scanner and how it can help Kindergarten students develop self-control skills, it’s time to explore more resources for teaching Social-Emotional Learning. To access free sample materials, including activities and lessons for teaching various skills, sign up at Everyday Speech. These resources can help you create a supportive and engaging learning environment that fosters the development of well-rounded, emotionally intelligent students.