Impulse Control Game for Kids
Are you looking to work on impulse control, focus, and self-regulation in children? This fun and challenging impulse control game for kids can be downloaded for free at the end of the post!
If your students or children have trouble focusing, settling down, staying on task, or dealing appropriately with their impulses this is a great game to try!
What is impulse control?
Impulse control or inhibition is an executive function skill that can be defined as the ability to stop one’s own behavior at the appropriate time. This is part of the ability to self-regulate. Self-regulation is also needed for executive function. Without being able to focus, control impulses and manage everyday stresses and emotions, children are disruptive, unhappy, inattentive, emotionally unstable and fall behind academically.
Children, especially young children, need plenty of time to practice impulse control and self-regulation. One simple way too accomplish this is through free play time where children learn to develop behavior strategies (i.e. impulse control) and emotional regulation. Another idea to is to play games to offer extra practice time such as this impulse control game for kids.
How to Play The Mixed Up Version Of Head, Toes, Knees, and Shoulders
Maybe you just re-read that title or you read it wrong top begin with. This game requires the participants to stop and think before they perform an action. It is super tricky since many children (and adults) are so used to singing “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” and moving a certain way.
This impulse control game requires you to touch your toes when you sing head or touch your knees when you say toes. It can become super hard especially when you try to go fast.
Directions:
To start, (before you show the students the printable) sing and act out the traditional “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” song. Touch your head, shoulders, knees, and toes, knees and toes and you sing along. Repeat the song two times.
Now print the free impulse control game for kids printable at the bottom of the page or project it on a screen for the class to view. Instruct the children to sing the traditional song, but do the actions the boy is performing instead of the traditional song. It will require concentration and focus to touch your toes while you sing “head”. Give it a try!
Don’t forget to repeat the actions at knees and toes, knees and toes.
Start out slow moving from action to action and checking if the students are performing the motions correctly based on the boy pictures and not the words you are singing.
After they practice it a few times, try to go a little faster.
To keep it fun, put away the mixed up version and try singing the traditional song with motion again a few times. Then show the printable again and do the mixed up impulse control game for kids by following the boy pictured. Were the students able to use their inhibition skills or was it just as hard as the first time?
Download your FREE Impulse Control Game for Kids
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Read more about Self-Regulation and Impulse Control
5 Everyday Outdoor Activities to Develop Self-Regulation
10 Fun Games to Practice Self-Regulation Skills