Tag: education

Posted in All About Self Control, Just Talkin'

Summer Fun: Games That Build Self-Control

Posted on by dembysplayfulparables76

Summer is officially here, and with it comes longer days, warmer weather, and plenty of opportunities for fun! While it’s great to let kids run wild and burn off energy, remember that summer is also a fantastic time to subtly teach important life skills. One of the most valuable lessons you can impart is self-control.

Self-control isn’t just about good behavior; it’s a foundational skill that helps kids succeed in school, navigate social situations, and thrive in various environments. Think about it: sitting still in a classroom, waiting patiently at a restaurant, or being quiet during a church service all require a good dose of self-control.

The good news? You don’t need a textbook or a lecture to teach this! Many classic games are perfect for helping kids practice sitting still, being quiet, and managing their impulses. These aren’t just fun ways to pass the time; they’re powerful tools for developing crucial self-regulation skills.

Here are a few ideas for games that encourage stillness and quiet, perfect for those moments when you need a little calm amidst the summer excitement:

Hide-and-Seek

This timeless favorite is brilliant for fostering self-control. While one person counts, the hiders must find a spot and then remain absolutely still and silent, no matter how tempting it is to giggle or move. The thrill of not being found reinforces the importance of quiet and stillness.

Freeze Dance

Turn on some music and let your kids dance their hearts out. But when the music stops, they have to freeze in whatever position they’re in! This game challenges them to stop their bodies instantly and hold still until the music starts again. It’s a fantastic way to practice quick transitions and physical restraint.

Statues (or Red Light, Green Light)

Similar to freeze dance, the “Statues” game involves striking a pose and holding it perfectly still. You can call out different statue themes (e.g., “animal statues,” “sports statues”) to add to the fun. “Red Light, Green Light” is another variation where kids run on “green light” and must freeze immediately on “red light.” These games are excellent for practicing impulse control and physical stillness.

Incorporating these types of games into your summer routine provides a playful yet effective way to build essential self-control. Not only will you be creating lasting memories, but you’ll also be equipping your children with skills that will benefit them for years to come. So, this summer, embrace the quiet moments and play your way to better self-control!

Posted in Good Stuff, Positive Flow, Promotional

Adding Music to Build a Positive Classroom Community!

Posted on by dembysplayfulparables76

My district asked me to present a 15 minute training that would help teachers build a positive classroom environment. Here is my presentation. I hope you can use some of these activities!

Posted in All About Self Control

Things to Do While We’re Out Of School

Posted on by dembysplayfulparables76

While our kids are out of school.

Let’s take the time to discuss behavior expectations and making right choices! This will help you!

Posted in All About Self Control

Release the Peeves 1.3

Posted on by dembysplayfulparables76

Good Morning Most Awesome and Wonderful World Changers! We’ve been talking about letting go of our “pet peeves”. Which really just something we use as a means to control others and an excuse to get angry. So this week we’re learning some steps to let them go. As teachers, we really have to work hard to release our peeves. But it makes the difference in classroom full of peace or a classroom full or anger. You choose. Anger begets more anger!

Step 3: Ignore The “pet peeve” behavior. What we give our attention to, is what comes to us on a continuous basis. Therefore it is a good choice to ignore the behavior that makes you the angriest. Through my 17+ years of teaching experience, I’ve noticed that once children realize they can get under your skin, they will seemingly do it more and more. So years ago when learned this trick, it did wonders in my classroom. “ Now I must say I’m still not all the way there. I can ignore about 70%, the other 30% . . . Get ready to meet the angry 😡 Mr. Demby”. The point is, I’m still working on it.

1. Stop focusing on the person doing the wrong thing. Don’t even acknowledge them or they’re behavior.

2. Think of ways to focus on the right behaviors. Don’t even say, “I like the way . . . Is sitting” or something like that. Just totally start talking to your students about the lesson or a current event.

3. Breathe as you will need it. Because as you ignore, the behavior will probably become more intense in order to get your attention. Turn on a video or have the children read a book, if you need to step away.

4. Make the right choice to stay the course. Don’t give in to the old angry you. Stay cool 😎, calm, and collected!

Try this relaxation video. https://youtu.be/m1q93OOdj5E

Daily Affirmations: Today is a Wonderful day! I am at peace. My happiness is bubbling over from within. I have so many reasons to rejoice. I love and approve of myself this very moment. I release all of my pet peeves. I am healthy, wealthy,whole, and complete. ALL IS WELL IN MY CLASSROOM. ALL IS WELL IN MY SCHOOL. ALL IS WELL IN MY WORLD. ALL IS WELL AND I AM SAFE. #IBlessMyWorldWithLove

Posted in All About Self Control

Release the Peeves 1.2

Posted on by dembysplayfulparables76

Good Morning Most Awesome and Wonderful World Changers! I’m going to continue talking about these “pet peeves” that rule our beliefs and behaviors. As a teacher, we have to learn to let it go. The classroom is the place for mistakes and learning. Through those mistakes we find teachable moments. That’s true teaching, when every experience turns into an opportunity to learn and grow! That’s the type of teacher I aspire to be.

Step 2: Stop yourself. When we are learning to release the peeves, you are going have internal battles. The old you will be begging to come out. “ Let me yell at them, they’ll get right!” While the new you is saying, “ Let’s give them room for mistakes and learning.” Personally, sometimes the old me wins out. In those times I have to stop myself before the situation escalates any further. Teachers many times it’s us that escalate the students not the other way around. You can almost see the life drain from the children when they are yelled at. So only you can stop yourself.

1. Stop in mid-sentence if you have to

2. Think of a way help the children understand that this is something you’re wrestling with

3. Breathe in and breathe out. Give yourself time to calm down. Put on a short video or story for the kids to watch, while you calm yourself

4. Make the right choice to use every moment as a teachable moment for you and the students. Don’t escalate a small mistake into a big blowup.

Everyone has to be able to Stop, Think, and Breathe and Make the Right Choice for themselves.

Daily Affirmations: Today is a Totally Terrific day. I choose to move forward with joy and ease. I live in a safe a secure world. It is safe to let the people around me make and learn from their mistakes. I release the need to control their lives. I love and approve of myself exactly as I am right now. I am healthy, wealthy, whole, and complete. ALL IS WELL IN MY CLASSROOM. ALL IS WELL IN MY SCHOOL. ALL IS WELL IN MY WORLD. ALL IS WELL AND I AM SAFE. #IBlessMyWorldWithLove

Posted in All About Self Control

Release the Peeves! Teach and Reteach. . .

Posted on by dembysplayfulparables76

Good Morning Most Awesome and Wonderful World Changers. I believe I’ve said this more than once, but as a teacher; you really can’t have “pet peeves”. That one thing that you just cannot tolerate will end up in your classroom every time. Most time it will show up in several students. It is a common fact that people in our lives are mirrors of ourselves. The people we like, exhibit the characteristics that we like about ourselves. The people we do not like, exhibit the characteristics that we do not like about ourselves. So this week we will focus on how to start releasing our pet peeves.

Step 1: Teach and Reteach When certain behaviors show up in your classroom, in order to not see it again; I stop whatever I’m doing and show the students what I expect. It’s best to do this when you’re not angry 😤. Doing this will save you from a great deal of days where you constantly focus on behavior.

1. Stop whatever you’re doing.

2. Think of ways to teach and Reteach the correct behaviors

3. Take a breath and don’t let the learner’s mistakes make you so angry that you can no longer teach.

4. Make the right choice by realizing that your pet peeve is totally your preference. Your way is not always the right way. You have no right to try and control others. Your job is to let them know of the others ways they can handle certain situations and be there to lead them as they choose.

Every person has to Stop, Think, and Breathe and Make the Right Choice for themselves.

Daily Affirmations: Today is an Awesome day. I choose to feel good about myself. I release the need to control others. I instead choose to love and approve of every part of myself. I am beautifully and wonderfully made. I am healthy, wealthy, whole, and complete. ALL IS WELL IN MY CLASSROOM. ALL IS WELL IN MY SCHOOL. ALL IS WELL IN MY WORLD. ALL IS WELL AND I AM SAFE. #IBlessMyWorldWithLove

Posted in All About Self Control

Know When To Stop

Posted on by dembysplayfulparables76

In teaching and re-teaching behavior, we should teach our children the right time to Stop. Before every destructive behavior, there is always a time to stop and think!

It’s important to teach or children to listen to their inner voice

Simon the Self Control Seal says Stop, Think, and Breathe and Make the Right Choice

The first step is knowing when to stop!

Posted in All About Self Control

An Outside of the Box Teacher!

Posted on by dembysplayfulparables76

Good Morning Most Awesome and Wonderful World Changers! I only taught as a classroom teacher for year. When I did, I tried to make sure that every activity was exciting so that if students had to sit out they would be upset. Can you imagine tell students they won’t be able to participate in math, and they get angry? Not that we want to make our students angry. But we want them so excited to be a part of whatever we’re doing in class that day.

In order to do that, we have to think out of the box. Math Baseball, Vocabulary Basketball, Dictionary Races, duck, duck spell, these are just some the things I did with my students. We would move the desk and put mats on the floor and lay down to read. We marked any words we didn’t know, then used the thesaurus to break it down. Then make vocabulary flash cards for Vocabulary Basketball. There were days we worked right on through special area. We even missed recess, and no one said anything. That was an Awesome year!

In guiding our students to be self corrected students, teachers and parents must think outside the box. Students will do amazing things for you when they know that you’re willing to step outside of your comfort zone for them!

Teacher Affirmations: Today is the Best day of my life. I live in a safe and secure world. People always helpful. My classroom is filled with excitement and joy. Learning is always in progress. I think outside of the box. I am healthy, wealthy, whole and complete. ALL IS WELL IN MY CLASSROOM. ALL IS WELL IN MY SCHOOL. ALL IS WELL IN MY WORLD. ALL IS WELL AND I AM SAFE. #IBlessMyWorldWithLove