Activity 6.4

The marshmallow test is fascinating to me because it demonstrates the direct connection between self-regulation and future success. I believe that the students ability to self-regulate their attention, will focus during instruction, instead of follow every whim or distraction that floats into the room. Learning isn’t always immediately rewarding or enjoyable but it yields fruit, which takes patience, self-control and determination. Although, these qualities are hard to come by in a “drive-thru” and immediate self-gratifying culture, I’ve observed students deny themselves, only to be rewarded later.

One good example, is the “buck” system that I had in my classroom.  Students that stayed on blue every day were paid a dollar. The color blue meant that the student followed the rules, completed their work and attended school for the entire day. Students could earn extra money for answering questions in class, being kind or helpful to others, or staying on task. Every Friday, the class store was open and students could “buy” items such as candy, pencils, bouncy balls, and other fun toys. Two of the most expensive items at the store were lunch with the teacher which costs $40 and extra computer time which cost $30. I observed students buy from the store and this was my observation. Many students with only a dollar or two would rush over to buy their candy or toy every week. They immediately wanted their reward, always spent their money and sometimes went into debt because I charged them money when they needed to borrow a pencil or didn’t turn in their homework.  Other students used self-control and saved their money week after week.  These students had a goal in mind and focused on attaining their goal.  Interestingly, the students that exercised self-control were my highest achievers. They weren’t always from a higher socio-economic status, actually some of them were rather poor. However, these students were very determined, responsible, and self-regulators. 

My example of the “buck” system, reminds me a statement in Self-Control in School Age Children, “self-control is the voluntary regulation of attentional, emotional, and behavioral impulses when immediate temptations conflict with more enduringly valued goals.” (p. 200) Everyone has impulses, but it’s the people that exercise control over impulses, that will glean from the teacher’s instruction during distractions, stay up late to study on a Friday night, and be the first to person in the family to attend college.  Just as learning is the process of problem solving, successful learning is the process of self-regulation and self-denial.