Kindergarten: Self- Control

In Kindergarten Guidance class we have been learning about self- control.  One of my favorite teachers out there, Mr. Smith, also known as the Teacher Tipster, gave me a great idea to help Kinders learn about what self-control means. First, he blows some bubbles and, as expected, the kids go crazy popping them.  As adults we want to pop them too!  Then, he challenges them to NOT pop the bubbles even if one lands on the tip of their nose.  Then he says, "Do they want to pop them? Yes- big time. But are they going to pop them?  No way!" This is such a great way to introduce the concept of self-control and launch a discussion about stopping to think before you act.

This was so much fun, especially when I told my students that I was going to give them the "Double Bubble Trouble" treatment and they had to show Super Self- Control!  Some of them even sat on their hands and became like statues to make sure they did not pop those bubbles.  This lead to a great discussion about how we have super powerful brains that can control our behavior.

Below is a video of Teacher Tipster and his awesomeness:

After the bubble challenge, I then read the book, It's Hard to be Five by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell.  This is a great book that helps students understand that they have power over their "control panels".  As kids get older, things become more challenging but also a lot more fun!

Lastly, we played a wonderful game to practice self-control: Simon Says.  

Kindergarten students loved this lesson and still request the "Double Bubble Trouble" treatment!