Resist the Bubbles! Impulse Control Game!

Bubbles!

Most (ok almost all) children love bubbles! Even my dog loves bubbles! 

And like my dog, your child has the capacity to have some self-control.  They can control their impulses (with help and training).

This is an important skill in life for children to learn.  Often it is a safety issue.  

Children need to resist the impulse to run across the road. They need to resist the impulse to reach to something bright red and hot. Maybe they need to resist climbing the ladder just because it is there. 

As children get older, they may need to learn self control and impulse control so that they are not running down the aisle at a grocery story or touching everything on the shelves.  Maybe they have to work out what is appropriate to say or not to say. 

Whilst this activity will not address these particular issues of impulse and self control, activities such as these (for toddlers, preschoolers and early infants school age children) can teach them attention skills and begin to teach them that they have control over their own actions (ie. control over their own bodies).

Bubble Game!

What you need:
Bubbles and a bubble wand.
(Alternatively use some dishwashing detergent or make it harder for your child by using an automatic bubble machine). 

How to play: 
1. Blow bubbles so that your child can pop as many as they can.
2. Ask your child to freeze their feet and legs.  They can pop the bubbles now with their upper body. 
3. Ask your child to freeze all over.  They can't pop the bubbles at all. 
4.  Unfreeze and allow your child to pop as many bubbles as they can. Repeat.

Notes: 
1. Allow your child to unfreeze and freeze at whatever length of time suits them.  You may allow them to pop bubbles for longer and freeze for a very short length of time when you are first introducing the game. 
2. Blow the bubbles further away from your child if they are having difficulty resisting the "pop".  Praise them for trying when they do resist it.
3. Ask your child to freeze in a certain position to add interest (eg. like a dinosaur, like a tree, like a teapot).
4. Play this with a group of friends.
5. You could start by standing a distance away from your child and as they demonstrate that they can resist popping, you could step forward towards them.
6. Swap roles with your child so that they blow the bubbles and you freeze. 
7.  Change the activity to pop the bubbles with a certain part of the body (eg. elbow, knee). 

This is a fun game that will appeal to lots of children! You could even play this at a birthday party!

Do you have a favourite game to help your child with "impulse control and self-control"? 

Cindy is a registered occupational therapist practising in Sydney, Australia.  She has two growing children who are a constant source of inspiration and learning.  Cindy loves working creatively to help children to reach their potential, finding opportunities in everyday living and making learning fun. She is also addicted to making printables (even when they take a long time to complete).  Cindy is the author of the Occupational Therapy blog Your Kids OT.  Read more articles from Your Kids OT at https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog

Cindy is a member of the Functional Skills for Kids Therapy Team.  They have together published THE HANDWRITING BOOK, THE SCISSORS SKILLS BOOK and THE TOILETING BOOK.

​The information on this site is general in nature. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions. Affiliate links are used throughout this website to promote recommended products. Your Kids OT receives a small commission if any purchases are made through these links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details. â€‹â€‹â€‹
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Have a look at my 16 month old labrador Monte as he demonstrates the Bubble game!

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