Pause Sign Craft

Objective: Children will design and create their own mini “Pause” sign to use when they need a short break.


Materials:

• Pause sign template for each student (pre-printed on cardstock)
• Crayons or markers
• Craft sticks or popsicle sticks
• Glue sticks or tape
• Stickers or decorative items (optional)
  
  
  Prep (Teacher):
• Print and cut one pause-sign template per child
• Gather crayons, markers, craft sticks, glue/tape, and any decorations
  
  
  Instructions (2 minutes):

1. Gather students at the table and show them the blank pause-sign template.
2. Model coloring the sign: “I’m making my sign bright yellow so I can see it easily!”
3. Distribute templates, crayons/markers, and craft sticks.
4. Invite students to color and decorate their signs with stickers or drawings.
5. Help each child glue or tape their decorated template to the craft stick.
6. Once finished, have students stand and raise their new mini pause sign to show the class.
   
   
   

On-the-Spot Pause Prompt

Use these quick scenarios to practice noticing when you need a break and using your mini pause sign. Invite 1–2 volunteers per scenario; the rest of the class watches and joins in when they see the sign raised.


Scenario 1: Puzzle Frustration

Teacher (acts frustrated): “Oh no—I can’t find the right puzzle piece and I’m feeling stuck. What could I do?”

Volunteer (pretends to be the teacher): Raises mini pause sign.

Teacher (guides): “Good job! Now let’s take a tiny pause breath together. Breathe in slowly through your nose…hold…and breathe out through your mouth.”

Teacher (praise): “Wonderful pause! How do you feel now?”

Class: Watches and, when they see the sign, practices the same breath.


Scenario 2: Coloring Struggle

Teacher (pretends with a broken crayon): “Oh dear—my crayon just snapped and I feel upset. Can I use my pause sign?”

Volunteer: Raises pause sign and models the pause breath.

Teacher: “Perfect! Let’s count to three as we breathe in… one, two, three… and breathe out.”

Teacher: “That’s a great way to calm our bodies!”

Class: Joins the breath when they see the sign.


Scenario 3: Waiting for Snack

Teacher (fidgets in line): “We’ve been waiting for snack for a long time—I’m feeling tired. What can I do?”

Volunteer: Raises pause sign, takes a slow breath.

Teacher: “Yes! Using our pause sign gives us a moment to rest. How did that feel?”

Class: Follows with a tiny pause breath each time they see a raised sign.


Teacher Tips:

• Encourage volunteers with, “Thank you for showing us your pause!”
  
• After each scenario, ask the class: “When else could we use our pause sign?”
  
• Reinforce that it’s OK to pause anytime they feel big feelings or need a little rest.
  
  

Tiny Pause Breath

Objective: Introduce students to a simple breathing exercise to help them pause and calm their bodies.

Materials:
- None (just our breath!)

Instructions:
1. Gather students in a circle on the carpet.
2. Say: “We’re going to pretend we have a pretty flower to smell and a candle to blow out.”
3. Demonstrate slowly: “Breathe in through your nose like you’re smelling the flower… one, two, three. Now blow out through your mouth like you’re gently blowing out a candle… one, two, three.”
4. Invite students to place their hands on their bellies and notice how their tummies rise and fall.
5. Guide the class through three rounds of the flower-and-candle breath.
6. Praise: “Great job using your tiny pause breath! Our bodies feel ready to learn about our pause sign.”