Impulse Control
Impulse Control...kind of a scary phrase. What is it? If it is lacking, is there a problem? What does it say about my child? What does it say about me as person? What does is say about me as a parent?
Let's break it down. Impulse means the sudden, involuntary inclination prompting to action. Control means to exercise restraint or direction over; dominate; command.
We all experience impulsiveness every day. When you see your child hurtling toward the brick ledge of the fireplace, tripping over his own feet- your impulse is to lunge, yell, dive...anything to stop that impact that will no doubt leave a mark (hopefully not a trip to the ER). This is a good impulse. When you have patiently and strategically staked out the perfect parking spot at Wegmans on Saturday morning at 10:00 AM, and a teenager manages to slide into the spot in front of you- your impulse may be to yell, curse, wave a certain appendage in the air...and your child is in the back seat. This is where we need good impulse control. Most of us can manage this situation well with years of exercising the portion of the brain responsible for impulse control (although he all have our days).
Research has shown us that the frontal lobe of the brain houses impulse control, and although the brain is not a muscle it behaves as a muscle. The more stimulation and exercise you give the brain, the better the result for the corresponding processing area. The frontal lobe also houses executive functioning skills. You can exercise this brain area through puzzles, pattern recognition, and you guessed it....music.
When we practice impulse control with music interventions we:
*Practice Starting/Stopping together
*Wait for a musical cue to play a corresponding sound
*Play rhythmically
*Follow beat patterns
*Follow tempo changes
*Take turns
*Share an instrument
When we practice these things in music we are having fun and the frontal lobe is getting a workout! The more we exercise this brain area the easier impulse control becomes, and perhaps...the next time Daddy is pouring fruit loops your little guy will wait before he grabs the box. Perhaps he will say "my turn please". With music all things are possible.
This is why when you hear of us talking about how in Music Rocks! Curriculum, Rock Band, and our music lessons we mention the phrase "Impulse Control"
If you are interested in bringing Rock Band Enrichment to your preschool or daycare programs nationwide, please reach out and ask!
716-422-0070
Megan@bloomcreativearts.com