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Impulse Control Toolkit

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Lesson Plan

One-on-One Support Plan

Provide a 20-minute one-on-one session where the student learns and practices impulse control strategies—using visual reminders, mindful breathing, trigger tracking, and reflection—to build self-regulation skills.

This targeted support helps the student recognize impulses, apply calming techniques, and reflect on progress, fostering confidence and reducing disruptive behaviors.

Audience

4th Grade Student

Time

20 minutes (one-on-one)

Approach

Guided practice with visuals, activities, and reflection.

Materials

Prep

Review and Set Up Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Check-In and Goal Setting

2 minutes

  • Greet the student and ask how they feel today.
  • Remind them of the session’s purpose: practicing impulse control.
  • Help the student set one specific goal (e.g., pausing to breathe before speaking).

Step 2

Introduce Visual Aids

5 minutes

  • Display Impulse Control Visuals.
  • Explain each strategy: “Stop & Think,” “Take 3 Deep Breaths,” and “Use Calming Corner.”
  • Model how to reference the visuals when feeling an urge.

Step 3

Guided Breathing Practice

5 minutes

  • Use Mindful Breathing Guide.
  • Lead the student through three rounds of deep breathing—inhale 4 counts, hold 2, exhale 6.
  • Encourage attention on breath and visuals during each round.

Step 4

Trigger Tracking Activity

5 minutes

  • Give the student the Trigger Tracker Chart.
  • Ask them to recall a recent impulsive moment and note the situation, feeling, and trigger.
  • Discuss an alternative response using one of the visual strategies.

Step 5

Reflection and Self-Assessment

3 minutes

  • Ask: “Which strategy helped you most, and why?”
  • Record successes and areas to work on for next time.
  • Offer positive feedback and confirm the takeaway strategy for the student’s next session.
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Slide Deck

Impulse Control Visuals

Your 3-Step Guide to Managing Impulses

  1. Stop & Think
  2. Take 3 Deep Breaths
  3. Use Calming Corner

Keep these pictures handy whenever you need a quick reminder!

Today we’re introducing a set of simple visuals to help you pause and make good choices when you feel like acting on impulse. We’ll walk through each image and practice using them.

Step 1: Stop & Think

• When you notice an urge, raise your hand like a “stop” signal.
• Pause and count to 5 in your head.
• Think: What are my choices right now?

Explain that when you feel an impulse—like blurting out or grabbing something—you use the first visual, Stop & Think, to pause. Demonstrate counting slowly in your head.

Step 2: Take 3 Deep Breaths

• Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds.
• Hold for 2 seconds.
• Exhale slowly through your mouth for 6 seconds.
• Repeat this sequence three times.

Model the breathing: inhale with your hands on your belly, hold, then exhale with a gentle sigh. Invite the student to follow along three times.

Step 3: Use Calming Corner

• Go to your quiet spot.
• Choose a calm-down tool (e.g., stress ball, soft toy).
• Stay until you feel ready to rejoin the activity.

Show the calming corner setup (beanbag, calm-down tools). Encourage the student to visualize their own space if you don’t have one here.

Quick Reminder

• Keep these images nearby.
• Practice each step when you feel an urge.
• Share which strategy helped you most next time!

Reinforce that these visuals are tools they can use anytime. Remind them to keep the chart where they can see it.

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Activity

Mindful Breathing Guide

Objective: Help the student use deep breathing to calm their body and mind when they feel an urge to act on impulse.

Materials Needed

  • A quiet spot to sit comfortably
  • (Optional) A soft toy or small object to hold

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Get Comfortable

    • Sit up straight in a chair or cross-legged on the floor.

    • Place one hand on your chest and one hand on your belly.

  2. Inhale Slowly

    • Breathe in through your nose for a count of 4 (1-2-3-4).

    • Feel your belly push your hand out while your chest stays still.

  3. Hold the Breath

    • Keep your breath in for a count of 2 (1-2).

  4. Exhale Gently

    • Breathe out through your mouth for a count of 6 (1-2-3-4-5-6).

    • Feel your belly go back in as you exhale.

  5. Repeat the Cycle

    • Do three full rounds of inhale–hold–exhale.

    • Focus on the rise and fall of your belly with each breath.

  6. Optional Visualization

    • Imagine filling a balloon in your belly as you inhale, then gently letting the air out when you exhale.

Draw Your Breath

On the lines below, draw an arrow or simple diagram showing how your belly moves when you breathe in and out.







Reflection Questions

  1. How did you feel before you tried this breathing exercise?






  1. How do you feel after completing three rounds of deep breathing?






  1. Which part was easiest for you? Which part felt challenging?






Keep this guide handy. Practice whenever you notice an urge to act quickly—your breath is a tool you can use anytime, anywhere!

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Worksheet

Trigger Tracker Chart

Instructions: Think about a recent time when you felt an urge to act quickly. Use this chart to track what happened, how you felt, what triggered you, which strategy you chose, and what you learned afterward.

Situation
(What was happening?)		Feeling
(What did you feel?)		Trigger
(What made you want to act?)		Strategy Chosen
(Which impulse-control step did you use?)		Reflection
(What did you notice or learn?)
















































































Keep this chart handy. Fill it out whenever you notice an impulse and share your reflections during your next session.

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Reading

Calming Corner Tips

A calming corner is a cozy spot where you can pause, breathe, and collect your thoughts when you feel upset, frustrated, or overwhelmed.

Setting Up Your Calming Corner

• Choose a quiet, comfy spot in the classroom or at home.
• Add soft seating, like a beanbag chair or floor cushion.
• Surround the area with calming colors (greens, blues, or pastels).

Tools to Include

• Stress ball or fidget toy
• Soft blanket or stuffed animal
• Noise-reduction headphones or soft music
• Simple visual checklist of steps to calm down
• A timer or hourglass to track how long you stay

How to Use Your Calming Corner

  1. Notice your feeling (e.g., angry, sad, restless).
  2. Go to your calming corner.
  3. Pick one tool (a stress ball or headphones).
  4. Use a calming strategy:
    • Take three deep breaths (inhale–hold–exhale).
    • Squeeze your stress ball slowly five times.
    • Listen to quiet music or practice mindful listening (focus on one sound).
  5. Spend 2–5 minutes there, then check how you feel.

Example Scenarios

• You feel upset when a classmate interrupts you.
– Use deep breaths and squeeze your stress ball.
• You’re anxious about a test coming up.
– Put on headphones and listen to calm music.
• You’re restless after sitting too long.
– Stand in your calming corner and stretch or use a fidget toy.

Your Turn

What will you include in your calming corner, and which strategy will you try first?

Write your ideas below:







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