Impulse Control

Have a kid that constantly interrupts, doesn't seem to listen, or hits others? It's not that they are a "bad" kid, it's that they are missing some executive functioning skills. Impulse control is an executive functioning skill that helps in many ways.

Impulse control helps us calm down and think when emotions are high. That pause allows us to think through decisions, delay gratification, and make the best possible decision in the moment. This is hard for many children. While impulse control begins to develop at 6-12 months old, it is not fully developed until 25 years old (and even then it may be a weak executive skill...I know I've struggled with impulsivity myself a time or two...okay...MANY times).

How do I help?

If you want to help your child strengthen the skill of impulse control there are several things you can do:

• read books - Volcano Mouth (affiliate link) is one of my favorite books. This book talks about a child who "erupts" by interrupting. It opens up a place for conversation about how to hold on to a thought or action, and how interrupting can be hurtful.

• play games - games such as spoons can be played with wooden spoons, kitchen spoons, or board games (affiliate link). This helps children pay attention to the game and the impulse to grab a spoon at the correct time. The same is true for games such as Simon says and red light green light.

• bubble pop - the adult blows bubbles and tells the kid how many to pop or to not pop any at all. Children have to resist the urge to pop all the bubbles.

• stop and go songs - songs such as Move & Freeze by The Learning Station requires children to listen, do the action, and then freeze instead of continuing to dance.