Teaching Children to Check Their Own Behavior
They need self-control not just for moving safely in the classroom, tossing a ball gently for a greeting, and eating politely in the cafeteria but also for working independently on a writing piece, playing a math game with a partner, or collaborating with peers on a group project.
- I love this idea. Self-control is such an important skill to have in any aspect of everyday life. People think of school as being a place children learn academics such as math, english, science and social studies. It is important that schools, especially with the younger children, teach students how to handle their emotions, impulses and actions. These skills help students not only in the classroom but in everyday life. Why is this not a more popular teaching subject?
Pausing gives students time and space to notice what they’re doing; self-talk prompts them to clearly articulate what they notice, name what they need to do, and then do it. Through self-checks, students gain an important measure of autonomy and a solid foundation on which to build other self-control skills they’ll need inside and outside the classroom.
- I feel like students are expected to be giving their full attention at all times. Especially in the younger grades, this is a very difficult skill for children to acquire. Teachers should do exercises to help their students build self-awareness and impulse control. When I was in elementary school, I remember my classmates being yelled at it they were not focusing or acting out. Our teachers never talked about having a self-check or what self-control is.
The lesson ends with my encouraging words: “You can help yourself, your classmates, and your teacher by checking in with yourself and asking that very important question: ‘Am I doing what I’m supposed to be doing right now?’”
- I like how this teacher ends the lesson by stating why this lesson is important. Even with academics, teacher just say what they have to say then move onto the next thing. I remember my friends and I always asking “Why is this important to us? How will this help us in anyway?” I think one way teachers are able to make their lessons more impactful, memorable and educational is by sometimes stating what the class should have learned and why that information is important to know.
