THE ULTIMATE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE ONE STUDENT AT A TIME!!!

THE ULTIMATE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE ONE STUDENT AT A TIME!!! SELF CONTROL Self Control means: I stop and think be...
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THE ULTIMATE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE ONE STUDENT AT A TIME!!!

SELF CONTROL Self Control means: I stop and think before I act! Self Control means: Taking the time to think through choices rather than act on impulse.

PARENTS PERCH

FEBRUARY 2013

SELF CONTROL Young students: I stop and think before I act! Older students/teens/adults: Taking the time to think through choices rather than act on impulse.

Week 1 Self Control defined: Thinking through problems & solutions Week 2 Interrupting & asking politely: Getting needs met using self control Week 3 Mistakes & apologies: Making mistakes, apologizing and making things right. Week 4 Temptations & choices: Refraining from stealing, lying, acting out, etc.

Dear Family, This month we will focus on the Powerful Word, “self control.” Self control is the second concept in our three month curriculum aimed at empathic goal-setting, problemsolving and relationship management. Coming on the heels of “empathy” month, focusing on self control further demonstrates how we can be in control of our own actions as our actions affect others. Self control refers to the ability to stop, think, and choose wisely before acting. When we show self control, we refrain from doing the first thing that “pops into our heads.” Self control is a vital social skill that allows people to think through choices before taking action. During the month, we will talk to the youngest students about

how, just like a traffic light, our brain needs to tell our bodies when to stop (red light!) and when to go (green light!). We will also help students think through whether a solution is safe and fair. We will teach older students to apply the “Powerful S.T.E.P. Procedure” to various everyday problems and solutions. The S.T.E.P. procedure is as follows: • S-- Stop or Slow Down • T-- Think through the problem and solutions • E-- Evaluate the solutions P-- Proceed with the plan or try another solution! Recent research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (Jan, 2011), followed 1000 children over three decades. It found that those children who have high self control, compared to those with low self control, are significantly less likely to

have multiple health problems, addictions, money struggles and criminal records by adulthood. The research confirms the findings of the famous “marshmallow study,” which found that children who were able resist eating a marshmallow placed in front of them in order to get two of them later scored an average of 210 points higher on the SAT than non-waiters. It’s true; good things come to those who wait! We look forward to partnering with you on discussing self control this month! Here’s to your success! Best Regards, —Your Motivated and Dedicated Instructors UPCOMING POWERFUL WORDS March April

For more Powerful parenting information, go to www.DrRobynSilverman.com. © 2013 Powerful Words Character Development

May

Anger Management Attitude Manners

DEAR DR. ROBYN

FEBRUARY 2013

SELF CONTROL Young students: “I stop and think before I act!” Older students/teens/adults: Taking the time to think through choices rather than act on impulse.

Dear Dr. Robyn, We joke that our children have “no fear.” They simply don’t think much before they try something...zip lining, rock-climbing, jumping off whatever they can! I love that they try new things but I don’t want them to get hurt! How can I teach them to slow down and have some self control?

-- Lauren & Steve G, Boca Raton, FL

Dear Lauren & Steve, As parents, we sometimes feel like we have to hold our breath and hope for the best when our children employ a “just go for it” attitude. A courageous spirit can be a great resource. However, sometimes, it can come at the expense of self control! I think we can encourage positive risk-taking while also supporting positive problem solving WITH self control. In order to do this, I teach the Powerful S.T.E.P. program to children:

S-- Stop or Slow Down: Tell your children; before jumping in or making a snap decision, stop for a moment. Taking a minute or two to consider safety and fairness can ward off consequences that your children may regret later T-- Think through the problem or choice: Ask your

children to ask themselves; To what am I saying yes? Do I want to do this? E-- Evaluate the solutions or choices: Once your children determine the choice they want to make, have them ask themselves; Is this choice safe? Is this choice fair? P-- Proceed with the plan. Once it’s determined that the choice is safe and fair, have them go ahead with it. If it isn’t working or they feel that the choice is no longer safe or fair, tell them they can always change direction. Example: Climbing a tree S-Stop. T- Think. “I am saying yes to climbing the tree to the top. I want to do this. E- Evaluate. “The tree is over sharp rocks and doesn’t have very sturdy branches- not safe for me

For more Powerful parenting information, go to www.DrRobynSilverman.com. © 2013 Powerful Words Character Development

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