Kindergarten: Impulse Control
Description:
It is important that students are able to control their anger and frustration. The ability to control such
emotions and impulses will allow younger children to make and keep friends. Having multiple friends
can lead to good self-esteem, which will also make for a successful school career in the future.
Learning Objective:
Assist the student in developing impulse control.
Teacher Background Materials:
As stated by Daniel Goleman, “There is perhaps no psychological skill more fundamental than resisting
impulse. It is the root of all emotional self-control, since all emotions, by their very nature, lead to one
or another impulse to act.” Children are most likely going to do what they have always done unless they
learn otherwise. Teaching children at the kindergarten level can sometimes be challenging and
frustrating, since most students have not developed these skills yet. A student without impulse control
may not be able to listen, concentrate, or act their age.
In most kindergarten classrooms, teachers have a set routine that they follow every morning. One
student is usually assigned to a particular task: helping to change the date, the weather, or the time.
These daily tasks help students develop important skills. The activity that we have chosen for the
kindergarten level should be performed at the beginning of class, along with these other tasks that the
students take part in. This is a great way for students to get their daily dose of impulse control practice.
Activities:
(See attached for detail):
 Skill Helper
Classroom Resource Suggestions:
If budget allows, “Toss ‘N Talk” Balls (can be found on Amazon.com) can be a good supplement to daily
activities. However, teacher assistance will be needed in reading the words on the balls.
The book: Behavior Management: Impulse Control by Crystal Bowman is a good teacher’s resource
(aimed to assist in teaching ages 3-6).
Games such as Simon Says, Red Light Green Light, or Follow the Leader require impulse control.
Parent Information/Materials:
Please see attached for parent resources.
Skill Helper Activity:
1. Description of the Activity
Include quick impulse control activities in the beginning of the daily routine. If
performed daily, improvements in impulse should be noticeable.
2. Material List
The attached list of actions for students to perform, scissors, a bag
3. Step-by-Step Activity Guide
 Cut out the impulse actions from the attached chart and put them in a bag.
If your school provides a lamination machine, a good idea would be to
laminate these papers so that they last throughout the year. Feel free to
edit the actions provided and/or add your own.
 In the classroom, students have assigned jobs (such as weather helper, date
changer, etc.). Assign a student to be a “Skill Helper.” The skill helper’s job
will be to stick their hand in the bag full of impulse skills and to randomly
choose one of these papers.
o It is still difficult for kindergarteners to read, so assist the student in
reading the chosen paper to the class.
 Make sure that the students perform the skill read, and assist them in doing
so. As the year progresses, you should see improvement in the way that
the skill is executed.
Take 5 slow breaths
Give someone a high five
Pretend that you are a
statue for 5 seconds
Ask the person to your
left what they do to calm
down
Wiggle your body, then
stand very still
Tell the person next to
you a place where you
should be quiet
Smile for 3 seconds
Make a calm face
Stretch like a cat
Stare at one spot for 5
seconds
Clap 3 times, then stop
Raise and drop your
shoulder 4 times
Raise your left hand in the
air, then put it back down
Dance for 5 seconds,
then stop
Jump two times, then stop
Sit on the floor for 3
seconds, then stand up
Make the sound of your Hum a relaxing tune or song
favorite animal, then do
not make any noise at all
Follow the teacher in a short
Walk in place for 6
round of “Simon Says”
seconds, then stop
On the count of 3, say your
Close your eyes for 5
name
seconds, then open them
Parent Information:
In class, your child is learning about impulse skills by performing certain actions
daily. Teaching your child about impulse control is important to his/her
development and ability to make friends. As stated by Daniel Goleman, “There is
perhaps no psychological skill more fundamental than resisting impulse. It is the
root of all emotional self-control, since all emotions, by their very nature, lead to
one or another impulse to act.” Children are most likely going to do what they
have always done unless they learn otherwise.
Something fun that you can practice with your child at home is called the
Marshmallow Game. Psychologist Walter Mischel completed a study and
research that is just like the Marshmallow Game (feel free to research his study
for more information and his results).
Tell your child that if they can wait for 15 minutes while you perform a task
(maybe cook dinner, clean, pay bills, etc.), they will get two marshmallows (any
“treat” can replace marshmallows if need be). If they can’t wait, tell them they
will get a marshmallow right away, but only one!
Of course, this game will teach your child impulse control. They will have to find
something peaceful to do to keep themselves busy for the 15 minutes, in order to
get both of the marshmallows offered. It is important that if not at first,
eventually, your child learns to hold off for the two marshmallows. As your child
gets better at waiting for you to complete your task, increase the amount of time
that he/she should have to wait.