Traffic Light Role-Play Activity

Description:
In this role-play activity, the counselor and student practice the Stop–Think–Go steps together using two realistic scenarios. The student learns to pause, ask helpful questions, and choose positive actions using red, yellow, and green cards.

Materials:

• Red, yellow, and green colored cards or paper (one of each)
• Scenario cue cards (see scenarios below)
• Stop, Think, Go Slide Deck for quick review

Setup (1 minute):

1. Lay out the red, yellow, and green cards on the table or attach them to a board in view.
2. Remind the student what each color means:
   • Red = Stop (pause and notice feelings)
   • Yellow = Think (ask helpful questions)
   • Green = Go (choose and do best action)

Activity Steps (6 minutes):

Scenario 1: Someone Takes Your Toy (3 minutes)

1. Counselor Models (1 minute):
   • Read the scenario: “Imagine a friend grabs your toy without asking.”
   • Hold up the red card and say aloud: “Stop—I feel mad.”
   • Switch to the yellow card: “Think—Is grabbing the toy okay? What could I say instead?”
   • Hold the green card: “Go—I will say, ‘Please give it back, I was using it.’”
2. Student Practices (2 minutes):
   • Hand the cards to the student.
   • Ask them to role-play the same scenario, naming their feeling on red, asking a question on yellow, and using green to state their action.
   • Provide guidance if they get stuck: “What question helps you make a kind choice?”

Scenario 2: Feeling Nervous for a Test (3 minutes)

1. Counselor Guides (1 minute):
   • Read the scenario: “You feel butterflies in your tummy before a spelling test.”
   • Counselor and student alternate holding cards:
     • Red: “Stop—I feel nervous.”
     • Yellow: “Think—What can help me feel calm? I can take deep breaths.”
     • Green: “Go—Take three deep breaths before starting.”
2. Student Leads (2 minutes):
   • Student holds the cards and leads the counselor through Stop, Think, and Go for this scenario.
   • Encourage clear statements: “I think…,” “I will…”

Reflection & Feedback (1 minute):

• Ask the student:
  • Which color step felt easiest? Which felt hardest?
  
  
  
  • What helpful question did you ask on yellow?
  
  
  
  • How will you use Stop–Think–Go next time you feel upset or nervous?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Praise the student for noticing feelings and choosing kind actions.
• Encourage them to practice with friends or at home using the colored cards or just their think time.

Next Steps:
Remind the student they will use the My Light Choices Worksheet to record their own scenarios and practice independently.

My Light Choices Worksheet

Use your Stop–Think–Go traffic light to plan how you will act in a real situation. Draw or write your own scenario below, then fill in each step.

1. My Situation

Draw or describe what might happen:

2. Red Light: STOP

What do you notice in your body or feelings that tells you to STOP?

3. Yellow Light: THINK

What questions can you ask yourself to make a helpful choice?
Examples: “Is this safe?” “What will help me?”

4. Green Light: GO

What calm, kind action will you choose?

5. Reflection

After you try your action, how did it help you or others?

Great job! Use this worksheet whenever you feel upset or impulsive to practice Stop–Think–Go.

Pause Practice Rubric

Use this rubric to review the student’s completed My Light Choices Worksheet. Circle the score that best describes their work for each criterion.

Scoring Guide:

• 10–12 pts: Mastered Stop – Think – Go steps independently.
• 7–9 pts: Approaching mastery; may need prompts.
• 4–6 pts: Beginning to use the steps; practice with support needed.

Use this rubric to give specific praise and coaching:
• Highlight strengths (✔) and suggest one area to practice next time (⭐).
• Encourage the student to keep using Stop–Think–Go whenever they feel upset or nervous.