Impulse Control Worksheet

This worksheet will help you practice identifying times when you might feel a strong impulse and think about ways to control your reactions. Read each scenario carefully and answer the questions that follow.

Scenario 1: The Exciting Announcement

Imagine that during a class presentation, you suddenly have an exciting idea and feel a strong urge to share it immediately, even if it's not your turn.






Question 1: What impulse do you feel in this situation?






Question 2: Describe one controlled response you could choose instead of interrupting.

Scenario 2: The Tempting Snack

You are at the lunchroom and see a snack that you really like, but you only have a small amount of money and the snack is expensive. You feel the urge to grab it quickly before you lose the opportunity.






Question 1: What temptation are you facing in this situation?






Question 2: Write down a strategy to control your impulse and make a better decision.

Scenario 3: Social Media Distraction

During a study period, you feel the urge to quickly check your social media notifications instead of focusing on your homework.






Question 1: How does the impulse to check your phone impact your focus?






Question 2: List one or two techniques you could use to stay focused on your work.

Remember: It’s okay to have impulses, but taking a moment to think about your response can help you make better decisions!

Impulse Control Activity Guide

This guide is designed to help you lead students through interactive, role-playing exercises and structured scenarios that encourage critical thinking and discussion about impulse control. Follow these steps for a dynamic group activity:

Activity Objectives

• Identify situations where impulsive reactions may occur.
• Discuss alternative thoughtful responses.
• Practice role-playing scenarios to build impulse control skills.

Materials Needed

• Whiteboard or flip chart
• Markers
• Printed copies of the Impulse Control Worksheet (optional for individual reference during the activity)
  
  
  

Activity Instructions

1. Scenario BrainstormingTime: 2 Minutes

   • Ask the class: "Can you think of a situation where someone might act on impulse?" Write down a few examples on the board.
   • Encourage a variety of examples (classroom, playground, online, etc.) and discuss briefly why impulse control is important in each case.
     
     
     

2. Role-Playing ExerciseTime: 5 Minutes

   • Divide the class into small groups (3-4 students per group).
   • Provide each group with one scenario (you can use or modify the scenarios from the worksheet):
     • Example: During a group project, one student feels the urge to speak over others because they think their idea is best.
   • Instruct groups to assign roles (the student who impulsively reacts, a peer, and an observer) and act out both the impulsive reaction and a more controlled, thoughtful response.
   • After each role-play, ask members to discuss:
     • What happened?
     • What could have been done differently?
     • How did the controlled response help the situation?

3. Group Discussion and SharingTime: 3 Minutes

   • Reconvene as a whole class and invite groups to share key points from their role-playing exercises.
   • Facilitate a discussion on the benefits of taking a moment before acting and the impact of thoughtful responses on communication and relationships.
     
     
     

Follow-Up Questions for Reflection

• How did it feel to act out both impulsive and controlled responses?
• What strategies did you find most effective for controlling impulses?
• Can you think of a real-life situation where these strategies might work for you?

Additional Tips

• Encourage respectful and supportive feedback during group discussions.
• Remind students that practicing impulse control is a skill that improves over time.
• Consider repeating the activity with new scenarios in future lessons to reinforce the concepts.

This activity guide is a practical tool for activating thoughtful decision-making and can be adjusted based on the class response and time constraints.

Impulse Control Game Instructions

This interactive game is designed to engage students in quick decision-making scenarios where they must choose between impulsive and controlled actions. The game aims to reinforce the importance of thoughtfulness in everyday situations in a fun, competitive format. Follow the instructions below to organize and play the game:

Game Setup

• Divide the class: Split students into small teams of 3-4 players.
• Materials: A list of scenarios (provided by the teacher), a timer, and a scoring sheet.
• Objective: Teams will quickly decide on the best course of action from two options provided for each scenario—one impulsive and one controlled. Teams earn points by choosing the controlled, more beneficial response.

How to Play

1. Round Preparation:

   • The teacher reads a scenario aloud. Each scenario describes a situation where an impulsive reaction might occur. For example: "During a class group discussion, one student feels the urge to interrupt because they think their idea is best."
   • The teacher then presents two response options:
     • Option A (Impulsive Response): Interrupt immediately without thinking.
     • Option B (Controlled Response): Listen until others finish, then share thoughts.

2. Team Discussion (1 Minute):

   • Teams have 1 minute to discuss and decide which option is more thoughtful and beneficial.
   • Teams must designate a spokesperson to give their answer.

3. Answer and Scoring:

   • Each team submits their chosen option. The teacher then reveals which option is the controlled, optimal choice.
   • Teams that chose the controlled response earn a point. Briefly discuss why that choice was better to reinforce learning.
     
     
     

4. Repeat Rounds:

   • Play multiple rounds with different scenarios. The teacher can adapt or add scenarios on the spot to keep the game dynamic and engaging.
     
     
     

5. Winning the Game:

   • The team with the most points at the end of all rounds wins the game. Consider awarding a small prize or extra credit points as an incentive.

Follow-Up

• Class Discussion: After the game, hold a short discussion on what strategies helped teams choose the controlled responses and how these strategies apply to real-life situations.
• Reflection: Ask students to share one thing they learned about impulse control during the game.
  
  
  

This game is a quick and fun way to practice impulse control in everyday situations. As you play, remember that taking a moment to choose thoughtfully can make all the difference!

Impulse Control Cool Down

As we near the end of our session, let's take a few moments to calm down and reflect on what we've learned about impulse control. This cool down activity will help you consolidate the ideas from today's lesson and think about how they can apply to your everyday life.

Cool Down Steps

1. Deep Breathing Exercise:

   • Close your eyes and take three slow, deep breaths. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth slowly. Feel your body relax with each breath.
     
     
     
     
     
     

2. Reflection Prompt:

   • Think about a moment today when you had to choose between an impulsive reaction and a thoughtful response.
     
   • Write down (or think quietly) about how you handled the situation and what you might do differently next time.
     
     
     
     
     
     

3. Share Your Insight (Optional):

   • If you feel comfortable, share one key takeaway from today's lesson with the class. This could be a strategy you found helpful or an idea that you plan to use in the future.
     
     
     
     
     
     

4. Mindful Moment:

   • Sit quietly for a minute and observe how your body feels now compared to before the cool down. Enjoy this moment of calm and focus.
     
     
     
     
     
     

Thank you for participating in today's lesson. Remember, taking a moment to pause and reflect helps you build strong impulse control skills that you can use every day!