Self-Control Strategies That Work Even During Full-Blown Meltdowns
- Glenn Fletcher
- Feb 10
- 1 min read
A student is dysregulated, yelling, throwing materials, or completely shut down—and the whole class is watching. You need tools that work in the moment and build long-term self-control.
Top self-control tools:
1. Calming Corner 2.0
Not just pillows—add a “Control Console” with choices: squeeze ball, breathing card, noise-canceling headphones, timer (5 minutes max), and a feelings menu to point to.
2. 5-Finger Breathing
Trace up each finger while breathing in, down while breathing out. Kids can do it under the desk, no one even notices.
3. “Pause Button” Script
Teach kids to say “I need my pause button” when angry. They go to calming corner, push an actual big red button (battery light-up toy), take three breaths, then rejoin. Turns self-control into a superpower.
Auto-B-Good’s Self-Control episode with Cali and the impact of her inability say no to a “good deal” shows kids exactly what losing control costs—and how to get it back. Emotion coaching cards and “Pause Button” badges complements the lesson are used in calming corners nationwide.
Get the Self-Control lesson and the rest of the 9-Virtues lessons:
