Impulse Control Worksheet

Understanding Impulses

1. What does the term "impulse" mean to you? Explain in your own words.
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Think of a recent time when you felt a strong impulse to act. Describe what happened and how you felt in that moment.
   
   
   
   
   
   

Recognizing and Reflecting

3. List three situations that might trigger an impulse for you. Why do you think these situations cause such strong feelings?
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. What physical signals (like a racing heart or sweaty palms) might you notice when an impulse is about to occur? Write down your thoughts.
   
   
   
   
   
   

Strategies for Managing Impulses

5. Review the strategies discussed in class (e.g., deep breathing, counting to 10, thinking of a distraction) and choose one. Write a short plan on how you can use that strategy next time you feel an impulse.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

6. Imagine you’re in a situation where you’re about to act impulsively, such as shouting when upset. Write down a step-by-step process on how you would use your chosen strategy to control your impulse.
   
   
   
   
   
   

Reflection

7. After working through these exercises, what is one thing you learned about your own impulses? How do you think managing your impulses can help you at school and in other parts of your life?
   
   
   
   
   
   

8. Set a personal goal for the next week about managing impulsive behaviors. What is your goal and how will you check on your progress?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Impulse Control Discussion Guide

Introduction

Begin by welcoming the student and explaining that this discussion is a safe space to share thoughts and experiences about impulse control. Emphasize that all ideas are valuable and that the goal is to learn more about themselves and strategies for managing their impulses.

Guidelines for Discussion

• Active Listening: Listen carefully when the student is speaking and ask follow-up questions.
• Open-Ended Questions: Encourage detailed responses by asking questions that require more than yes/no answers.
• Respect and Empathy: Validate the student's feelings and experiences.
• Reflect and Share: Encourage the student to reflect on their experiences and share insights.

Discussion Questions

Understanding Impulses

1. What are impulses, and can you describe what it feels like when you experience one?
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Can you think of a time recently when you felt an impulse? What happened and how did you respond?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Recognizing Triggers

3. What do you notice in your body or mind before you act on an impulse (for example, a racing heart or feeling nervous)?
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Are there specific situations or places that you find trigger impulsive actions? Can you describe them?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Strategies for Control

5. Which strategy discussed (deep breathing, counting to 10, thinking of a distraction, etc.) do you feel most comfortable using when you notice an impulse? Why do you think that might work for you?
   
   
   
   
   
   

6. How would you go through a step-by-step process using your chosen strategy in a challenging situation? Walk me through your thought process.
   
   
   
   
   
   

Reflection and Application

7. What did you learn about your own impulses during this lesson? What surprised you the most?
   
   
   
   
   
   

8. How do you think practicing impulse control can support you not just in school but in other parts of your life?
   
   
   
   
   
   

9. Is there a small goal you can set for yourself this week regarding impulse control? What might that look like, and how will you measure your progress?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Conclusion

• Summarize the main points discussed and highlight any strategies the student found useful.
• Encourage the student to practice these strategies and check in on their progress periodically.
• End by asking the student if they have any questions or additional thoughts they’d like to share.

Remember, the aim of this discussion is not to judge, but to understand and improve impulse control through reflection and strategic practice.

Impulse Control Activity

Activity Overview

In this hands-on activity, you will practice recognizing impulses and using strategies to pause and reflect before reacting. This exercise is designed to reinforce the concepts learned in class and give you a real-life scenario to practice your impulse control skills.

Instructions

1. Scenario Role-play:

   • Imagine a common situation where you might feel a strong impulse (e.g., you are about to interrupt a class discussion, or someone makes a teasing comment).
   • Write down the scenario context: What is happening? How do you feel? What impulse are you experiencing?
     
     
     
     
     
     

2. Identify Physical and Emotional Signals:

   • Reflect on what physical signs (like a racing heart or sweaty palms) or emotions you notice in this situation.
   • Write your observations down.
     
     
     
     
     
     

3. Plan a Pause Strategy:

   • Choose one strategy from the list discussed in class (deep breathing, counting to 10, thinking of a distraction, or using a calming phrase).
   • Create a step-by-step plan outlining how you would use this strategy in the given scenario.
   • For example, if you choose deep breathing: "I will stop, take a deep breath in for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, and then exhale for 4 seconds before reacting."
     
     
     
     
     
     

4. Practice Through Role-play:

   • With a teacher or a peer, act out the scenario. First, verbalize your feelings and impulse. Then, use your chosen strategy to manage the impulse before responding.
   • If you're practicing alone, record yourself or write down how you imagine the role-play unfolding.

5. Reflection:

   • After the role-play, reflect on the following questions:
     • What did you notice about your impulses?
     • How effective was your chosen strategy in helping you pause before acting?
     • What would you do differently next time?
   • Write a brief reflection on your experience.
     
     
     
     
     
     

Follow-Up Questions

• Which part of the activity did you find most challenging and why?
• How do you think these steps can help you in real-life situations outside of this activity?
• Can you identify additional strategies that might help you in managing impulses?

Conclusion

This activity is all about practicing control over your impulses in a safe and structured environment. Remember, managing impulses takes practice, and every time you apply these strategies, you’re improving your ability to control your actions. Keep reflecting on your progress and adjust your strategies as needed.

Impulse Control Cool Down Steps

Reflective Cool Down

At the end of each session, take a few moments to reflect on what you learned and how you can apply these strategies in real-life situations. Use the following steps to guide your cool down process:

1. Pause and Breathe:

   • Sit quietly and take three slow, deep breaths. Focus on the sensation of your breath to calm your mind.
     
     
     

2. Reflect on the Session:

   • Think about the strategies you practiced today. What worked well for you? What was challenging?
     
     
     

3. Write It Down:

   • In your journal or a piece of paper, write down one thing you learned about your impulses today and one strategy you want to practice more.
     
     
     

4. Set a Mini-Goal:

   • Identify a small, achievable goal for your next session. For example: "I will try using deep breathing when I feel an impulse coming on."
     
     
     

5. Positive Affirmation:

   • End your session by saying a positive affirmation to yourself. For example, "I can control my impulses and make thoughtful choices."
     
     
     

Take your time with these cool down steps, and remember that developing impulse control is a gradual process that gets better with practice.