It’s recital month! Is your Twirl student chomping at the bit? They know their dance, and they’ve heard all about pictures, the Red Carpet, and all the excitement that’s coming their way in the next few weeks. They’ve seen their costume, and let’s face it, they ask to wear it every single day (at least my Twirl Baby does). And while not every day can be a tutu day, each day CAN be an opportunity to talk about this month’s Fruit of the Spirit: Self Control.
“Prepare your minds for action. Be self controlled.” — 1 Peter 1:13
Self control can be a difficult skill to master, even as adults (and parents!). So how can we teach it to our littlest dancers? Here are a few ideas to get you started...
Talk About It!
Work this particular fruit into your mealtime, commuting or bedtime talks with your Twirl student. How does God show self control? What examples of self control can we find in the Bible? Jesus was tempted in the desert THREE TIMES! Nehemiah didn’t fight back when his walls were attacked, and David showed no aggression to Saul (even though he could cut a piece of his robe). How did (or didn’t) YOU show self control today? Help your student to see this fruit in action! Identify the successes and failures of each day, and the example God sets for each of us in the Bible.
● Take two carbonated beverage bottles or cans and shake them up. Open one right away, then wait for the other to bubble down to its normal state. Talk through what can happen if we act as we boil over, versus what happens when we show self control and allow ourselves to cool off — or not get shaken up in the first place! (Some additional reading for after this activity: Galatians 5:13-15/25-26, Hebrews 10:24-25.)
Practice!
You know what they say: Practice makes perfect! But practicing self control can be particularly difficult in the heat of the moment, especially when you’re a Twirl student in the throws of not getting your way. Start smaller, in ways that are easy to understand. In Twirl classes, students learn the fundamentals of spatial awareness, balance, coordination and listening skills before advancing to more difficult Primary and Level 1 dance classes. In this same way, Twirl students can work through the basics of self control. The more they practice, the more prepared they’ll be when more challenging moments arrive.
● Give your child a small treat. Explain that if they eat it now, they only get one. But if they wait until a certain time, after a certain event or until you get back from doing something in another room, they can have two.
Find Your Solutions
What do you do when opportunities to show self control arise? Take a minute away from the situation? Talk to someone? Listen to your favorite song? Teach these skills to your Twirl student! Give them the tools they’ll need when the need for self control presents itself. The next time you enter a toddler stand off, or the beginnings of a meltdown, try this: Take a pause, take a deep breath, talk to God. Praying together is a great way to calm hearts and defuse situations in a way that lets us refocus on God’s heart for us. He has called us to be peacemakers, and to encourage one another in love. Titus 3:1-2 says: “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.”
● Memorize this month’s memory verse (1 Peter 1:13): “Prepare your minds for action. Be self controlled.” When you need a minute to calm down, recite these words together. Prepare your mind for action, don’t act in haste. Be in charge of your emotions. Be self controlled, just as God has called us to do.