Mind Games: Strengthening Impulse Control
Enhance impulse control through exercises
This lesson engages students in cognitive exercises and puzzles to strengthen their impulse control abilities. By challenging their thinking and promoting strategic decision-making, students will develop better self-regulation skills. This lesson is important as it helps students improve their focus, patience, and decision-making, which are crucial for academic and personal success.
Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Enhance impulse control through exercises
Discussion Guide, Impulse Control Worksheet, Puzzles and Brain Teasers, and Pens and Paper
- Begin with a brief discussion on impulse control and its importance in daily life.
- Ask students to share examples of situations where they had to control their impulses.
Step 2
Cognitive Exercise 1: Puzzles
15 mins
- Distribute the 'Impulse Control Worksheet' with puzzles and brain teasers.
- Encourage students to work individually or in pairs to solve the puzzles.
- Remind them to focus on thinking through each problem before acting.
Step 3
Cognitive Exercise 2: Group Activity
15 mins
- Organize students into small groups.
- Provide each group with a different puzzle or brain teaser from the 'Puzzles and Brain Teasers' set.
- Instruct them to discuss and solve the puzzle as a team, emphasizing strategic decision-making.
Step 4
Reflection and Discussion
10 mins
- Use the 'Discussion Guide' to facilitate a conversation about the exercises.
- Ask students to reflect on how they felt during the activities and what strategies helped them control their impulses.
- Encourage students to share any new insights or techniques they learned.
- Summarize the key points discussed and the importance of impulse control.
- Encourage students to apply these strategies in their daily lives.
