8 Emotional Control IEP Goals to Support Student Success

Posted In Goals On March 3, 2025

Emotional control is a critical aspect of executive function that directly impacts a student’s ability to learn. Establishing emotional control IEP goals helps educators monitor student progress, adjust instruction, and implement effective classroom interventions for behavior problems. Below, we outline eight emotional control IEP goals that can support students in developing self-regulation skills, fostering emotional resilience, and improving their overall academic performance.

1. Regulate an Emotional State

• In a small group setting, [student] will utilize an emotional control strategy to regulate an emotional state, demonstrating self-regulation skills with no more than [number] prompt(s) in [number] of [number] instances over [number] consecutive weeks.

This goal supports executive function learning by encouraging students to implement effective coping mechanisms in a structured environment, fostering student empowerment and confidence building.

2. Identifying the Size of the Problem

• When frustrated or upset, [student] will determine if the problem is small, medium, or large, then engage in an appropriate emotional response with no more than [number] adult prompt(s) in [number] of [number] instances.

Teaching executive function skills like problem-solving and self-awareness can improve a student’s performance and ability to navigate challenging situations more effectively.

3. Recognizing Empathy in Real-World Scenarios

• Using real-world scenarios across contexts, [student] will analyze a given situation and then identify how the people in the scenario may be feeling to recognize empathy with [percentage] accuracy.

Empathy is an essential social skill that enhances executive function instruction, allowing students to build meaningful connections and regulate their emotions effectively.

4. Engaging in Coping Strategies When Overwhelmed

• When feeling overwhelmed, [student] will engage in a coping strategy to manage emotions, then reflect on why he/she feels overwhelmed and identify at least two helpful thoughts (or solutions) in [number] of [number] instances.

Solving executive function challenges requires intentional interventions that promote emotional awareness and constructive problem-solving techniques.

5. Identifying Feelings and Solutions in a Safe Space

• When given a safe, calm space, [student] will identify how he/she feels and determine a helpful solution by recognizing what he/she can and cannot control to appropriately manage feelings [percentage] of the time.

This executive function lesson fosters emotional regulation and encourages students to develop self-awareness and constructive coping mechanisms.

6. Practicing Emotional Regulation Techniques in Difficult Situations

• When presented with an identified difficult situation in a small group or one-on-one setting, [student] will identify elements beyond his/her control, recognize people he/she can seek for help, and practice engaging in a chosen breathing exercise [percentage] of the time in [number] of [number] opportunities.

This emotional control IEP goal supports student behavior management by equipping students with the tools they need to handle distressing situations constructively.

7. Managing Anger Through Coping Strategies

• During an upsetting or non-preferred situation, [student] will manage anger by engaging in a coping strategy with no more than [number] prompt(s) [percentage] of the time across [number] consecutive school weeks.

Implementing student strategies that encourage self-regulation can significantly improve academic performance and social interactions.

8. Stopping Overreactions and Engaging in Coping Strategies

• When given no more than [number] prompt(s) (verbal/nonverbal), [student] will freeze/pause/stop his/her unexpected overreaction to a situation and quietly and calmly engage in an appropriate coping strategy [percentage] of the time.

This emotional control IEP goal is a key aspect of executive function intervention, helping students recognize and modify impulsive emotional responses.

Why Emotional Control IEP Goals Matter

Setting emotional control IEP goals is an essential part of executive function instruction, as it empowers students to develop emotional resilience and self-regulation skills. These goals provide measurable ways to track student progress, ensuring that students are effective in improving their emotional control and academic success.

For more insights on emotional regulation and executive function, check out our blog post: What is Emotional Control?

Want to Learn More?

We offer a comprehensive executive function curriculum designed to support students in mastering self-regulation and emotional control. Learn how our curriculum can positively impact students by visiting our student resource page.

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