Lesson Plan
My Wiggle Worms: Practicing Self-Control
Students will identify situations where self-control is needed and practice strategies to manage their impulses, such as waiting their turn and listening quietly.
Developing self-control helps Kindergarteners navigate social situations, share with friends, and participate effectively in classroom activities. It's a foundational skill for learning and healthy relationships.
Audience
Kindergarten
Time
20 minutes
Approach
Interactive story, guided discussion, and a movement activity.
Materials
Small beanbags or soft balls (1 per student), Self-Control Slide Deck, Self-Control Script, and Wiggle Worm Activity Guide
Prep
Gather Materials & Review Content
10 minutes
- Review the Self-Control Slide Deck and become familiar with the content.
- Read through the Self-Control Script to prepare for guiding the lesson and discussion.
- Gather small beanbags or soft balls, one for each student, for the "Wiggle Worm" activity.
- Review the Wiggle Worm Activity Guide to understand the instructions for the movement activity.
- Ensure the classroom space allows for a small movement activity.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Wiggle Check
3 minutes
- Begin by asking students how their bodies are feeling today. Are they feeling wiggly, calm, or sleepy?
- Explain that sometimes our bodies feel wiggly, and it's important to learn how to help our wiggles stay inside so we can learn and play together.
- Introduce the concept of self-control as being the boss of our bodies and feelings.
Step 2
Story Time & Discussion: The Wobbly Worm
7 minutes
- Use the Self-Control Slide Deck to present a short, engaging story about a
Step 3
Wobbly Worm
7 minutes
- Teacher introduces 'The Wobbly Worm' story using the Self-Control Slide Deck.
- Read the story aloud, pausing at key moments to ask students about the worm's feelings and choices.
- Facilitate a short discussion:
- "What was the Wobbly Worm feeling when he wanted to wiggle during quiet time?"
- "What did the Wobbly Worm do to help his wiggles?"
- "Has anyone ever felt like the Wobbly Worm? What did you do?"
- Emphasize that it's okay to have wiggles, but we can learn to choose how and when to let them out.
Step 4
Activity: Wiggle Freeze Dance
7 minutes
- Introduce the "Wiggle Freeze Dance" using the Wiggle Worm Activity Guide.
- Explain the rules: when the music plays, students can wiggle and move their bodies. When the music stops, they freeze!
- Play upbeat, child-friendly music for short bursts (15-20 seconds), then pause for students to freeze.
- Observe students' ability to stop and freeze, praising good self-control.
- Repeat several times, encouraging different types of wiggles (big wiggles, small wiggles, quiet wiggles).
- After the activity, discuss how it felt to control their wiggles and freeze their bodies.
Step 5
Cool-Down: Calm Body Check
3 minutes
- Have students sit down comfortably.
- Ask them to close their eyes if they feel safe doing so, or look at their hands.
- Guide them through a quick body scan: "Are your toes wiggly or still? How about your fingers? Your tummy? Your head?"
- End by reminding them they are doing a great job being the boss of their bodies and practicing self-control.
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Slide Deck
Welcome, Wiggle Worms!
How are our bodies feeling today?
Are you feeling wiggly, calm, or sleepy?
Welcome students and ask them about their current feelings. This helps them connect with their bodies and introduces the idea of 'wiggles.'
What is Self-Control?
Being the BOSS of your own body and your feelings!
It helps us learn and play together.
Introduce the concept of self-control using simple language. Explain that it means being the 'boss' of our own bodies and feelings.
Meet the Wobbly Worm!
Sometimes our bodies want to wiggle, wiggle, wiggle!
Is it okay to have wiggles? YES!
Can we choose when and how to let them out? YES!
Introduce the story of the Wobbly Worm. Emphasize that having wiggles is normal, but we can learn to manage them.
The Wobbly Worm's Big Wiggle
Wobbly Worm was at quiet story time.
His body wanted to wiggle!
He wanted to jump and squirm and dance!
Tell a simple story about the Wobbly Worm who has wiggles during a quiet activity (e.g., story time, building blocks). Use engaging voice and gestures.
Wobbly Worm's Choice
What did Wobbly Worm do?
He thought, "Hmm, this is quiet time."
He took a deep breath.
He made his body still for a little while.
Discuss how the Wobbly Worm decided to manage his wiggles. Did he let them all out? Or did he think about what to do?
What Do YOU Do?
Have you ever felt like Wobbly Worm?
What do you do when your body wants to wiggle during quiet time?
(Share your ideas with a friend!)
Connect the worm's experience to the students' lives. Ask them about times they've felt wiggly and what they did.
Time to Wiggle & Freeze!
When the music plays, you can WIGGLE!
When the music stops, you FREEZE like a statue!
Let's be the boss of our wiggles!
Transition to the Wiggle Freeze Dance activity. Explain the rules clearly.
Great Job, Self-Control Superstars!
You are learning to be the boss of your wiggles!
Keep practicing your amazing self-control!
Conclude the lesson by reinforcing the idea that they are becoming masters of their bodies and feelings.
Script
My Wiggle Worms: Practicing Self-Control - Script
Warm-Up: Wiggle Check (3 minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning, my wonderful Kindergarten friends! Let's start our day by checking in with our bodies. Close your eyes if you feel comfortable, or look at your hands. How are your bodies feeling right now? Are you feeling super wiggly today? Or maybe calm and still? Perhaps a little sleepy?"
Teacher: "It's okay to feel all sorts of ways. Sometimes our bodies feel like they have a lot of energy, a lot of 'wiggles'! Today, we're going to talk about how we can be the boss of our bodies and our feelings, even when we have those wiggles. This is called self-control. Can everyone say 'self-control' with me?"
Students: "Self-control!"
Teacher: "Wonderful! Being the boss of our bodies helps us to learn better, play kindly with our friends, and make good choices. It helps us keep our wiggles inside when we need to be calm, and let them out when it's okay!"
Story Time & Discussion: The Wobbly Worm (7 minutes)
Teacher: "Now, I have a special story for you today about a little friend named Wobbly Worm. Wobbly Worm is a lot like us sometimes! He has lots of wiggles! Let's look at our Self-Control Slide Deck as I tell you his story."
(Advance to Slide: Meet the Wobbly Worm!)
Teacher: "Meet the Wobbly Worm! Sometimes Wobbly Worm feels like his body wants to wiggle, wiggle, wiggle! Is it okay for Wobbly Worm to have wiggles? Yes! Our wiggles are a part of us. But Wobbly Worm is learning that he can choose when and how to let them out."
(Advance to Slide: The Wobbly Worm's Big Wiggle)
Teacher: "One day, Wobbly Worm was at quiet story time, just like us! His body really wanted to wiggle! He wanted to jump and squirm and dance! Oh, those wiggles were so strong!"
Teacher: "What do you think Wobbly Worm should do? Should he just let all his wiggles out right now during story time? Or should he try to be the boss of his body?"
(Listen to student responses, guiding them towards managing wiggles in appropriate settings.)
(Advance to Slide: Wobbly Worm's Choice)
Teacher: "Wobbly Worm thought, 'Hmm, this is quiet story time. If I wiggle too much, I might disturb my friends, and I won't hear the story.' So, Wobbly Worm took a deep breath... (demonstrate a deep breath) ...and he tried to make his body still for a little while. It was hard, but he tried his very best! He was being the boss of his body!"
(Advance to Slide: What Do YOU Do?)
Teacher: "Have any of you ever felt like Wobbly Worm? When your body wanted to wiggle, but it wasn't the right time? What did you do to help your wiggles stay inside? Turn to a friend next to you and share your ideas."
(Allow students to share briefly in pairs, then bring them back together.)
Teacher: "That's wonderful! It's important to know that it's okay to have wiggles, but we can also learn to choose when to let them out. Sometimes we can do things like take a deep breath, or squeeze our hands, or just remind ourselves to be still for a moment."
Activity: Wiggle Freeze Dance (7 minutes)
(Advance to Slide: Time to Wiggle & Freeze!)
Teacher: "Now, for our next activity, we're going to practice being the boss of our wiggles in a fun way! We're going to play 'Wiggle Freeze Dance'!"
"Here's how it works: When the music plays, you can wiggle and move your body however you like! Big wiggles, small wiggles, happy wiggles! But when the music stops, you have to FREEZE like a statue! Can you do that? Can you be the boss of your wiggles and freeze your body?"
(Refer to the Wiggle Worm Activity Guide for detailed instructions on playing the game.)
(Play upbeat, child-friendly music for 15-20 seconds, then pause for students to freeze. Repeat several times, encouraging different types of wiggles and praising good self-control.)
Teacher: "Wow, you are all amazing at being self-control superstars! How did it feel to control your wiggles and freeze your bodies?"
Cool-Down: Calm Body Check (3 minutes)
(Advance to Slide: Great Job, Self-Control Superstars!)
Teacher: "Let's bring our bodies back to a calm place. Find a comfy spot and sit down. You can close your eyes again or look at your hands. Let's do a quick 'calm body check'."
"Are your toes wiggly or still right now? How about your fingers? Is your tummy feeling calm? How about your head?"
(Pause after each question to allow students to check their bodies.)
Teacher: "You all did a fantastic job today practicing self-control and being the boss of your bodies and feelings. Keep practicing your amazing self-control, and remember, you are growing your feelings garden so beautifully!"
Activity
Wiggle Freeze Dance Activity Guide
Objective
Students will practice self-control by stopping movement on command, demonstrating their ability to manage impulses.
Materials
- Upbeat, child-friendly music player and speaker
- Open space for movement
Instructions
Introduction (1 minute)
- Teacher: "Alright, Wiggle Worms! It's time for our Wiggle Freeze Dance! This game is all about being the boss of our bodies and practicing our super self-control."
- Teacher: "Here's how we play: When the music is playing, you can wiggle, dance, and move your body in any way you like! You can do big wiggles, small wiggles, happy wiggles!"
- Teacher: "BUT! When the music stops, you have to FREEZE like a statue! No moving, no wiggling, just perfectly still! Can you be the boss of your wiggles and freeze your body when the music stops? Let's try it!"
Guided Practice (5 minutes)
- First Round: Play music for a short burst (10-15 seconds). Stop the music abruptly. Model freezing perfectly still.
- Teacher: "Look at me! I'm a statue! Great job everyone!"
- Second Round: Play music again (15-20 seconds). Stop the music. Observe students and offer praise.
- Teacher: "I see so many amazing statues! John, I love how you froze so quickly! Maria, your hands are super still!"
- Encourage Variety: As the game continues, encourage different types of movement when the music is on:
- "Show me your fast wiggles!"
- "Now quiet, gentle wiggles!"
- "Can you wiggle only your toes?"
- Repeat: Continue for several rounds, varying the length of music playing and the freeze time. Keep it fun and energetic!
Reflection (1 minute)
- Teacher: "Phew! Give yourselves a round of applause for all that amazing wiggling and freezing!"
- Teacher: "How did it feel to stop your wiggles so quickly when the music stopped? Was it easy or a little tricky sometimes?"
- Teacher: "You all did such a fantastic job practicing self-control today. Remember, being the boss of our bodies helps us in so many ways!"