Self Control...Unleash the Chilling Cheetah

As we are beginning a new year, many of us our also working on those New Year's resolutions we set only two weeks ago. Maybe your goal was to loose weight, read more, spend more time with the family, regardless as I reflect on this I ask myself why don't we all just do these things already? Why do I need to make a resolution to eat more fruits and veggies? Self control for me is why. I know eating healthy foods is a better choice for me than a cookie, and yet I choose the cookie!

At Sandburg, we are working on continuing to develop and practice the skill of self control. Self control has been defined as making the best choice, even when it feels hard to do. For our students taking turns, waiting for a preferred activity like a turn at the Promethean board, or being told to finish the last of the math problems is difficult to maintain self control. I think no matter what age you are being told "no" is a hard situation to maintain self control as well. 

As we shared in previous posts it is important to help our students increase their self awareness (how they are feeling) and develop coping and calming strategies. These skills are crucial to teach, practice and reinforce to help for students success in school, with their peers, with their families, and for success into adulthood. 

One way to support students in practicing self control and making that best choice is by using the chilling cheetah. This is a 3 step technique to help guide students to success.

The Chilling Cheetah Steps

1. Stop

2. Take 3 deep breaths

3. Make the best choice

Here is an example of how to use this strategy:

Chester Cheetah comes home from school and really wants to watch dinosaurs on the family computer. When he gets in the house, he sees his sister, Shelia, already on the computer. Chester is very upset and begins yelling he wants a turn on the computer and is loosing his self control.

Mom and dad remind Chester to use his chilling cheetah (The parents modeled and walked through the steps with him):

1. Stop

2. Take 3 deep breaths

3. Make the best choice 

• Wait his turn (set a timer for 10 minutes)
• Watch some tv
• Draw the dinosaurs

With support from his parents on what are some good choices, Chester chose to draw the dinosaurs he really wanted to see. As a result Chester was able to show self control. His parents were very proud of him and gave him a big hug and helped get the paper and markers he needed for his best choice!

We hope you find the chilling cheetah helpful to you as a tool to support in helping build self control in the home. Below is a video about self control shown in school that could also be a tool to support in the home.

Thanks for your continued support and until next time...