Preschool is a time of exploration and discovery, and while it’s natural for little ones to express their emotions, teaching self-control is a valuable skill that sets the foundation for future success. Special educators play a crucial role in guiding preschoolers toward understanding and practicing self-control. This blog post delves into the significance of fostering self-control in preschoolers and provides a practical lesson plan with engaging activities, including the free interactive sequencing activity “How I Keep Self-Control” from Everyday Speech.

The Importance of Teaching Self-Control in Preschool

1. Foundation for Learning: Self-control is essential for academic success.
2. Social and Emotional Development: It contributes to positive relationships with peers.
3. Behavioral Regulation: Learning self-control aids in managing behavior and emotions.

Lesson Plan: Cultivating Self-Control in Preschoolers

Objective:

Guide preschool students in understanding and practicing self-control through interactive activities.

Materials:

• “How I Keep Self-Control” interactive sequencing activity from Everyday Speech

Step-by-Step Activities:

1. Introduction to Self-Control (10 minutes)
   • Watch the sample video below
   • Use simple language and relatable examples to help preschoolers grasp the concept.
2. Interactive Sequencing Activity (10 minutes)
   • Introduce the “How I Keep Self-Control” activity from Everyday Speech.
   • Guide students through the interactive sequencing, discussing each step.

Tips and Additional Ideas

• Use positive reinforcement to celebrate instances of self-control.
• Be patient and provide consistent reminders about self-control strategies.
• Collaborate with parents to reinforce self-control practices at home.

Conclusion

Teaching self-control in preschool lays the groundwork for a lifetime of positive habits. Through thoughtful activities and discussions, we can empower our preschoolers to understand, practice, and appreciate the importance of self-control.

Sample Video

Students learn best from watching real students their own age model skills. Try out this sample video-modeling lesson below. We offer our entire Social-Emotional Learning platform free for 30 days here!

Related Blog Posts:

Mindful Breathing

Preschool Feelings Detective Activity

Box Breathing: A Simple Technique to Help Students Regain Calm and Focus