I'm in Control of Me! Ongoing Focus Games and Relaxation Skills
We play fun games to increase focus and self-control AND learn how to relax our bodies and brains in ways that are easy and enjoyable, in an alternating, purposeful fashion! Great for ADHD and/or emotional/regulation challenges.
Jeniffer Hobbs, B.S., B.A., QMHP-C
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(347)
Star Educator
Popular
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
In this ongoing class, we will alternate between activities that are more physically active that will challenge students’ focus and self-control, and activities that help children learn to relax their bodies and minds. This purposeful alternating will help students learn to slow back down after stimulating activities and grow their mental and emotional capabilities. After our introductions/icebreaker, there will be a total of four activities. At times we also discuss who is in charge of the choices we make, and I empower them with the understanding that we are the only ones in control of ourselves, even though sometimes it can be challenging. We also talk about when our calming skills could be useful, and how taking a break to calm down can lead to making more positive choices. You will receive a detailed handout of all the calming skills your child learned after completion of the course to allow your learner to practice their skills at home. You are also welcome to play any of the games your student learned in class with them and your family for fun and to continue their self-control development. You may be familiar with some of the games below and feel they're too simple for this age group, but please be aware that I have twists and differences in our games that will challenge your learner's impulsive and automatic responses, self-control, reinforce inhibition, working memory, and flexibility in shifting between rules. Relaxation techniques for children improve their overall well-being, ability to handle upsets, increase concentration, and their ability to fall asleep. Focus and self-control are also essential skills for a quality life. The ability to focus and control involves developing executive functioning skills, including the ability to pay attention, learn and remember rules, and the self-control to not act on initial impulses. I'm here to support your child in gaining these important skills! ____________________________________ Please check the dates below for your specific classes to ensure what week your learner is on. **Classes cycle again and again, so you may enroll your child at ANY TIME and they will continue as long as there are enough learners. You do NOT need to start on Week 1. Ongoing classes do not build on each other the way multi-day courses do.** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If there are two stars (**) before the activity, please check the supply list below so that your learner is ready to enjoy class. A safe area to stand and move is needed every week with the option to be cozy as well, potentially laying down. -------------------------- FRIDAY 6:00 p.m. EST Class: October 4th: Simon Says Be My Mirror Heartbeat Feels Animal Yoga October 11th: Red Light, Green Light **Pens up! Favorite Place **Coloring Mandalas October 18th: Active Animals Relaxation by Distraction Do as I Say, Not What I Do Butterfly Hugs November 1st: Color Moons Blurt! Candle Breathing Progressive Muscle Relaxation November 8th: Freeze Dance Clapping Rhythms Icicle/Puddle Count Yourself Down November 15th: Follow The Leader Wait Five, Animal Version Five Senses Mindfulness Calming Mantras November 22nd: Teacher, May I? **To Infinity and Beyond! All the Children are Sleeping **Mindful Munching November 29th: **Garage Band No/Go Game **Belly Breathing Guided Imagery Class will continue to cycle through the end of summer and into autumn if there are sufficient learners -------------------------------------- SATURDAY 3 p.m. EST Class: October 25th: Simon Says Be My Mirror Heartbeat Feels Animal Yoga November 2nd: Color Moons Blurt! Candle Breathing Progressive Muscle Relaxation November 16th: Follow The Leader Wait Five, Animal Version Five Senses Mindfulness Calming Mantras November 23rd: Freeze Dance Clapping Rhythms Icicle/Puddle Count Yourself Down November 30th: Teacher, May I? To Infinity and Beyond! **All the Children are Sleeping **Mindful Munching December 7th: Active Animals Relaxation by Distraction Do as I Say, Not What I Do Butterfly Hugs December 14th: Garage Band No/Go Game Belly Breathing Guided Imagery December 21st: Red Light, Green Light **Pens up! Favorite Place **Coloring Mandalas Class will continue to cycle through the end of summer and into autumn if there are sufficient learners
Learning Goals
Students will improve their impulse control and gain relaxation techniques for overall increased emotional regulation and executive functioning skills.
Other Details
Supply List
Daily: Learners will need good space behind them to move safely. If possible, setting up the computer in a way so that I can see them head to toe (as much as possible -- I know this is challenging). Sometimes sitting on the floor works well. GARAGE BAND: Students will need an instrument or anything that creates sound (could be a pot and a spoon to use as a drum). BELLY BREATHING: Students will need a small stuffed animal or a soft object that can rest on their belly. PEN'S UP!: Your child will need something to color with and a sheet or two of blank paper. COLORING MANDALAS: Learners will need a mandala of their choice from the provided file. If you don't have access to a printer, another piece of blank paper is okay, too. Coloring materials will be needed as well, please. TO INFINITY AND BEYOND! The classroom file with this activity can be printed and your learner may like to use a writing utensil with this as well. If you don't have access to a printer, please take a look at the file and draw the simple shapes for your learner to use before class. MINDFUL MUNCHIES: Your learner will need a small snack and any kind of drink (water is fine). I suggest not giving this to your child until the last part of class when we will do this activity as they will likely eat it beforehand. After your child's last class, I will be providing handouts of the relaxation techniques that we used in each class. Students are encouraged to practice these on their own when they're feeling calm, making it easier for them to remember how to use them when needed. The more practiced the brain is, the better!
3 files available upon enrollment
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined May, 2021
4.9
347reviews
Star Educator
Popular
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from State University of New York College at Brockport
I have been working with children with various diagnoses (ADHD, anxiety, etc) for over eight years, teaching them executive function and relaxation strategies in a way that they enjoy. Reviews
Live Group Class
$20
weekly1x per week
55 min
Completed by 299 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 5-7
2-6 learners per class
