Instructions

Place 10 white jelly beans, 10 sliced pieces of jicama, or white miniature marshmallows in front of child at a table (choose an item that would be a treat to child)

Tell child they can have 1 jelly bean/jicama/marshmallow now OR they can have all of them if they wait 5 minutes sitting at the table

If they wait 5 minutes you will also read an extra story now or at bedtime

If they agree to wait, set a timer for 5 minutes (or less) and leave child at table

Watch discretely and see what happens

If child makes it for all 5 minutes, chat about how they now receive all the jellybeans/jicama/marshmallows and have an extra story

If child fell short of the 5 minutes praise them for their effort - but no jelly beans, marshmallows or story as they need to learn about consequences

* We based this activity on this well-known laugh out loud "Marshmallow Study". Watch it here

Extend

The original "marshmallow test" was at Stanford University in the 1960's. The time was 15 to 20 minutes of waiting for a four year old. Here is a summary of the test.

Materials

10 white jellybeans/slices of jicama/ or mini marshmallows

story (optional)

Share This Activity

Curriculum Plan Resources

Skills Focus

Shape - Review

Color - White

Number - Eight, 8

Alphabet Letters - W, N

Senses - Taste

Character Trait - Self-Control

Target Words - Good-night, Sweet, Sour, Next

Monthly Proverb

Dutch - A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains

Did You Know?

" Approximately two-thirds of parents surveyed would like information about ways to support children’s early reading and school readiness skills, ways to help children’s social-emotional development and how to use positive discipline." Washington Early Learning System

Fingerplay / Poems / Songs

(This poem was memorized and recited each morning in our family. Use this poem or find your own for your wake-up routine.)

For Parents And Kids

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