Behavior without adequate thought, the tendency to act with less forethought than do most individuals of equal ability and knowledge, or a predisposition toward rapid, unplanned reactions to internal or external stimuli without regard to the negative consequences.
Featured Resource
Impulse: a strong urge to do something
Impulsive: acting without thinking
Impulse Control: the ability to think before acting; to resist the desire to say or do something before you’ve had the opportunity to think about and evaluate the consequences of the behavior
LINKS
Pause & Think Video & Discussion - Grade 1-3
Use this video and discussion (English & Spanish) from Common Sense Education to teach impulse control online.
Impulse Control Activities - Grade 7 - 10
Being resilient doesn’t mean that we don’t feel impulsive; rather, it means that we learn to control our impulses.
Managing Disruptive Behavior for Teens
The Managing Disruptive Behavior Workbook for Teens is designed to be used either independently or as part of an established behavioral health program.
ACTIVITIES
Journaling with Teens
Engage teens in a values and impulse control journaling exercise. First, create a values list. Second, journal about times when acting out impulsivity was contradictory to values. Last, journal about how to act differently next time.
Use a Response to Intervention Technique
Explore the RTI resources at Intervention Central.
LINKS
Melt or freeze?
An impulse control worksheet and resource
Ready, Set, Go
Get ready with these strategies for impulse control.
Teaching impulse control
Use these fun resources, and activities to help teach this to students.
There’s more to emotional self-regulation that meets the eye
How to go beyond praise and censor.
ORGANIZATIONS
Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences
Stanford University's Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences where the original Marshmallow study was and is still currently conducted.
Brainwise
The BrainWise Program, a non-profit organization, that teaches children, youth, and at-risk adults essential emotional, social, and cognitive skills through an innovative structured approach called the “10 Wise Ways.”
The OT Toolbox
Function and occupation-centered resources, tools, ideas, and activities geared toward the development of fine motor movement, executive functioning, attention, and organization skills.