Brew Up Solutions for Self-Control
Many children would love to stay home from school all day to play Minecraft or Roblox video games. They are well aware of the pause button and recognize that these games have trained them to make faster decisions. But do they understand the power of the most amazing piece of technology known to mankind – THE HUMAN BRAIN? This powerful REMOTE Control is in charge of the human mouth, feet, arms, legs, and emotions! Self-Control is needed when feelings become STRONG. Here are 4 steps when teaching children how to use their brain for self-control over strong emotions.
6 Solutions for Teaching Self-Control
1. Pause: Hit the pause button of your brain and freeze.
2. Notice: Where do you feel strong emotions in your body? You might have shaky hands, clenched fists, or a stomach ache. Recognize how your body feels. My Incredible Talking Body by Rebecca Bowen is a great book to explain this.
3. Name: What strong feeling are you feeling? Is it anger, rage, fear, worry, disappointment, frustration or depression? Go ahead and name it - “ I feel ________. “
4. Let it go: Feelings are vibrations that often last 90 seconds. They change according to your thoughts. Anger can give you energy. So take that energy and be productive with a walk, bike ride, or project to help release it. Talking, writing, drawing, singing are just a few coping strategies that Pausing Pablo from Powerful You uses when he feels anger.
5. Try Angry Panther Pose: Yes that’s right, get your body moving with this Powerful You pose.
6. Introduce In-Control Cal from Powerful You PRIMARY: He teaches kindergarten students how to handle strong feelings. Here is a short video of students using Cal’s strategies. Get your copy of Powerful You Primary here.
![]Powerful You Primary SEL Lessons | Printed Book or Laminated Cards | Grades K–1](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/578b591a2994ca114a5f7952/9104b44f-a5cf-42d5-9ff1-b28884bc2f32/powerfulyouprimary-brave-3.png)
Powerful You is a grab-and-go counseling resource designed to make group and classroom counseling simple, meaningful, and effective. Packed with 26 short, easy-to-use themed lessons, this book helps counselors, educators, and support staff guide students through important life topics with confidence and care.
Each lesson begins with a true story that reflects real challenges children face, followed by engaging turn-and-talk prompts that encourage student reflection, discussion, and connection. Inspiring quotes, hands-on activities, and practical tips are also included for optional lesson extensions.
Created by a school counselor with more than 35 years of experience listening to and supporting children, these lessons align with ASCA National Standards and explore sensitive school and home issues through a child’s perspective. Powerful You gives adults ready-to-use tools to build emotional awareness, resilience, communication skills, and confidence in students.
To bring each lesson to life, companion Powerful You laminated role-playing cards and colorful classroom signs are also available separately. These engaging tools correspond with every lesson and provide an interactive way for students to practice skills, deepen understanding, and reinforce key concepts.