The Importance of Self-Control in Self-Management: An SEL Lesson

Managing oneself is an essential life skill that requires self-control and discipline. It means making positive choices even when they are not easy or convenient. This ability to regulate oneself is crucial in achieving personal and professional success. In this evidence-based SEL lesson, students will learn how to strengthen their inner control through positive actions.

The lesson starts with a series of questions that prompt the students to reflect on their self-management skills. This exercise allows the students to assess their strengths and weaknesses in managing themselves. They are encouraged to be honest with themselves and identify areas they need to work on.

After the reflection exercise, the class proceeds to a discussion on positive thoughts, actions, and feelings for self-management in the classroom. The teacher emphasizes the benefits of doing positive actions for self-management, including increased independence and positive feelings about oneself.

Self-management is not an easy task, and the class is reminded that it can feel like stretching oneself. To illustrate this point, the class engages in a few stretching exercises. The teacher explains that just like stretching one's body, stretching oneself to do the right thing can make one stronger and more resilient.

To reinforce the importance of self-management, the teacher asks the students to try to correct themselves when they make mistakes and forget to apply the skills they have learned. Whenever the teacher notices anyone struggling, they stretch their fingers to remind the students to talk with themselves about self-management. This simple gesture encourages the students to be mindful of their actions and take responsibility for managing themselves. It also motivates them to keep working on their self-control.

Overall, this lesson is an engaging and valuable tool for helping first graders develop self-management, one of the five core social-emotional learning core competencies. By the end of the lesson, the students will have a better understanding of what self-management means and how they can apply positive actions to strengthen their self-control.