What is Self-Control?

Posted In Skills On March 17, 2025

Self-control is a foundational executive function skill that plays a crucial role in a student’s academic success, social interactions, and overall well-being. As educators, we frequently encounter students who struggle with self-regulation, impulsivity, and the ability to pause and think before acting. Teaching executive function skills, such as self-control, is essential for student empowerment and fostering an environment where all learners can thrive.

What Is Self-Control?

Self-control, an essential behavioral executive function, refers to a student’s ability to manage impulses, regulate emotions, and think before acting. This skill enables students to resist urges that could lead to disruptive behavior, helping them make thoughtful decisions and consider the impact of their actions. Students with strong self-control can wait their turn, follow rules, and prioritize long-term benefits over immediate gratification.

However, for students who struggle with self-control, the classroom can be a challenging space. They may blurt out answers, interrupt others, or have difficulty staying seated. These students often do not stop to consider the consequences of their actions and require support in developing strategies to regulate their behavior. Fortunately, executive function instruction provides teachers with executive function tools to help students strengthen their self-control and improve academic performance.

The Impact of Self-Control on Student Learning

The ability to self-regulate directly impacts a student’s academic and social success. A lack of self-control can lead to frequent disruptions, difficulty following classroom routines, and trouble maintaining positive peer relationships. Conversely, students who develop strong self-control are more engaged in learning, participate effectively in classroom discussions, and navigate social situations with greater ease. Teaching self-control as part of an executive function curriculum supports student confidence building and helps improve students’ academic performance.

Strategies for Teaching Self-Regulation

To help students develop self-control, educators can implement executive function strategies that guide students toward self-regulation and responsible decision-making. Some essential goals for students include:

• Thinking before acting
• Making informed choices by considering consequences
• Stopping undesirable actions and responding appropriately

Here are some student engagement strategies and executive function interventions to support the development of self-control:

1. Teaching Students to Pause and Reflect

Encourage students to ask themselves reflective questions before acting:

• “Is this the right time to do this?”
• “How will my actions affect those around me?”
• “What will happen if I wait before speaking or acting?” By integrating these questions into daily lessons, teachers can strengthen students’ self-regulation and problem-solving skills.

2. Using Nonverbal Signals

Nonverbal signals are a powerful tool in student behavior management. A simple hand signal, a pause before calling on a student, or a visual cue can remind students to stop and think before acting. These executive functioning tools reinforce positive behaviors without drawing attention to negative ones.

3. Setting Clear Expectations and Boundaries

Students who struggle with self-control benefit from clearly defined expectations. An executive function system that includes structured routines, visual schedules, and explicit behavior expectations helps students understand what is expected and how to self-regulate. Providing logical and consistent consequences also reinforces responsible behavior.

4. Encouraging Delayed Gratification

Help students practice delaying gratification by incorporating small challenges that require patience. Activities like waiting for a reward, completing a difficult task before a break, or playing games that require turn-taking can improve students’ performance in self-regulation.

5. Reinforcing Positive Behaviors

Students who struggle with self-control are often noticed for their disruptive behaviors. Instead of reinforcing negative behavior with attention, focus on recognizing and rewarding positive behaviors. Praise students when they demonstrate self-control, use executive function lessons to highlight progress, and provide desirable consequences to encourage continued growth.

Empowering Students Through Executive Function Learning

The ability to self-regulate is a skill that benefits students far beyond the classroom. By integrating executive function instruction into daily routines, educators can equip students with lifelong tools for success. A structured executive function curriculum fosters a classroom environment where students feel confident in their abilities and develop the necessary skills to improve their academic performance.

To learn more about how to model self-regulation strategies for your students, click here.

For an overview of the eight executive function skills covered in the Cerebrate curriculum, download our resource here.