7 strategies to teach children to control impulses

Many childhood behavior problems are due to a lack of impulse control. But learning to control impulses is not an easy thing, since children do not yet have their prefrontal cortex fully developed, which is the part of our brain that is in charge of this.

Besides, if it’s not always easy for adults, why would it be for children? The development of impulse control requires various skills that must begin to be taught as soon as possible. These are control skills that can come in handy, starting from their first social interactions.

Aggressive and omnipresent advertising, which aims to promote consumption, makes it more difficult than ever to teach children to control their impulses. After all, we are used to giving instant gratification and, as adults, we like to receive it too.

Impulse control and success in school

Although success (or not) in school is not directly proportional to future success, the truth is that it can offer many opportunities for adult life. It can also greatly facilitate a child’s life, their relationship with parents and, in general, promote family coexistence.

Regarding the topic at hand, The fact that a child learns to control his impulses can help him overcome important demands that generate stress (homework, exams, etc.), to learn to wait your turn, to learn to listen and to learn to think before acting.

Besides, Impulse control helps a child know how to regulate himself when devoting time to studying. In fact, according to neuroscientists Sandra Aamodt and Sam Wang, self-control is twice as important as intelligence when it comes to academic performance.

Impulse control also contributes to academic success. Self-control is twice as important as intelligence when it comes to academic performance, according to neuroscientist researchers Sandra Aamodt and Sam Wang, authors of the book Welcome to Your Child’s Brain.

Notably, children who can control their impulses are better able to think about their answers before writing them down and have better critical thinking skills for problem solving. Additionally, they can tolerate more frustration in problem solving.

Strategies for children to learn to control their impulses

FortunatelyImpulse control can be learned and taught. In fact, it is not something innate. It is possible to help children control their impulses when they are young without having to repress them, in a conscious and healthy way. Let’s see some strategies to achieve it.

1. Learn to identify your own feelings

Only when children are able to differentiate between feelings and behaviors can they learn to control their impulses. For example, only a child who understands that it is normal to feel angry but that it is not okay to hit others or break things can see that he has options to deal with his feelings without reacting with violence.

2. Develop listening skills

Sometimes children behave impulsively because they have not listened carefully and, before hearing everything they need to hear, they act. Therefore, It is essential to teach children to listen to instructions and ask for what they have been told to be repeated. before taking any action if you are not sure or do not understand what you have been told.

3. Learn to manage and control anger

A low tolerance for frustration causes a host of behavioral problems. That’s why Children must be taught to manage and control their anger so that they can calm down when they are upset. Strategies such as teaching him to take a time out before doing anything – when he feels angry – can teach a child that he is capable of calming himself.

4. Provide a model of appropriate behavior for the child

Your child will learn much more about impulse control from what he sees than from what he is told. In addition to offering an appropriate model of behavior, explain what you do when you have a problem controlling your impulses, even better if you do it with an example that the child has experienced or in the moment itself.

5. Children must learn to solve problems on their own

Children must be able to identify the problems they face, evaluate their options and make decisions in a logical, thoughtful and consistent manner. A child who is able to analyze a problem and think about its options will react impulsively.

6. Establish clear rules that show what is expected of them

A child who knows what to do is more likely to be able to control his impulses when he has to make a decision, especially when he clearly knows the consequences of breaking the rules.

7. Encourage your child’s physical activity

When children are physically active they have an easier time managing their impulses. Moderate physical activity, whenever possible outdoors, is especially useful. An important issue that needs to be addressed here is that of competitive games and sports.

Competition is very healthy, as long as it is carried out in a controlled manner and supervised by professionals. that they defend and work for non-violence in sport, the resolution of problems and a good relationship between opponents.

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