An Easy Way to Teach Self-Control

With this simple mantra, kids will have more power to resist temptation (whatever it may be!).

By Christina Vercelletto

Ages

3-13

An Easy Way to Teach Self-Control

If you’ve ever had to tell your child she has to finish eating her dinner before she can have a treat, then you know how tough it is for kids to control their impulses. But it can be done — and that’s great. Self-control is what allows kids to focus in school without blurting out answers or bothering classmates. To strengthen the skill, teach them to use if-then plans, says Walter Mischel, Ph.D., author of The Marshmallow Test: Mastering Self-Control. These strategies give kids a mantra that helps them resist temptation (to whine) by focusing on the long-term payoff (a cookie). Try one of these plans for common challenges:

The Challenge: Squabbling
If someone asks to play with my toy, then I will take a deep breath and share so we both have fun.

The Challenge: Procrastinating
If I have homework to finish, then I’ll make sure I do it by 5 o’clock. When it’s done, I can go outside to play.

The Challenge: Daydreaming
If I drift off, then I will look at the teacher and focus, so I can answer her questions.

Plus:
The Simple Secret for Confident, Happy Kids

Photo Credit: norbert schaefer /corbis images

Self Control
Raising Kids
Age 13
Age 10
Age 12
Age 11
Age 9
Age 8
Age 7
Age 6
Age 5
Age 4
Age 3
Manners and Conduct
Learning and Cognitive Development