Using Jenga to Teach Impulse Control

As a counselor, we often see students who display hyperactive or impulsive behavior.  One of my roles with these students is to teach them the skills they may lack.  These skills might include delaying gratification, concentrating, and making choices.

Jenga is a great game to illustrate and practice all of these skills. 

Below are some great questions to ask while playing Jenga to help the student make real-life connections:

• How do you make a good choice about which block to pull?
• What would happen if you pull a block without thinking first?
• You have to think ahead about what will happen when playing Jenga. How do you think ahead when making a choice in class?
• What happens in class when you don't think first before making a choice?
• How do you make choices in class?

Jenga is also a great time to reinforce any positive skills you notice, such as...

• I noticed you really took your time deciding which block to pull.  Good job!
• You are really thinking about what will happen if you pull that block. 
• I like the way you think about each option before choosing which block to pull.