Lesson Plan
Pause Signal Protocol
Students will learn to recognize feelings of overwhelm and request a brief pause using a visual sign. They will practice a simple breath exercise and follow an on-the-spot prompt to self-regulate during their day.
Teaching Pre-Kers to notice when they need a break builds early self-awareness and self-care habits, reduces classroom stress, and promotes emotional regulation.
Audience
Pre-K Class
Time
7 minutes
Approach
Model cues, craft signs, practice mindful breaths, prompt pauses
Materials
- Tiny Pause Breath, - Pause Sign Craft, - On-the-Spot Pause Prompt, - Teacher-Made Classroom Pause Poster, and - Timer or Gentle Chime
Prep
Teacher Preparation
5 minutes
- Review the materials: Tiny Pause Breath, Pause Sign Craft, and On-the-Spot Pause Prompt
- Print and cut mini pause sign templates for each student
- Gather crayons/markers and craft sticks
- Display a large “Pause” poster where all can see
- Queue up any timer or gentle chime sound
Step 1
Warm-Up Breath
1 minute
- Gather students in a circle on the carpet
- Introduce the exercise: “We’re going to try a tiny pause breath!”
- Lead them through the steps in Tiny Pause Breath
- Model slow inhale through nose, exhale through mouth
Step 2
Introduce the Pause Sign
1 minute
- Hold up the Teacher-Made Classroom Pause Poster
- Explain: “When you feel tired, frustrated, or need a moment, you can use our pause sign.”
- Demonstrate raising the sign and taking a pause breath
Step 3
Pause Sign Craft
2 minutes
- Hand each child a template from Pause Sign Craft
- Provide crayons/markers and a craft stick
- Prompt students to color, decorate, and attach their mini pause sign
- Circulate and offer help as needed
Step 4
Practice the Pause Prompt
2 minutes
- Invite a few volunteers to role-play a busy classroom moment
- Read a scenario from On-the-Spot Pause Prompt
- Ask the volunteer to raise their mini pause sign and take a breath
- Reinforce by having the class follow along when they see the sign
Step 5
Closing and Review
1 minute
- Ask: “When can we use our pause sign?” and elicit responses
- Praise students for trying their pause breath
- Remind them they can use their signs anytime they need a short break
Activity
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):
- Gather students at the table and show them the blank pause-sign template.
- Model coloring the sign: “I’m making my sign bright yellow so I can see it easily!”
- Distribute templates, crayons/markers, and craft sticks.
- Invite students to color and decorate their signs with stickers or drawings.
- Help each child glue or tape their decorated template to the craft stick.
- Once finished, have students stand and raise their new mini pause sign to show the class.
Script
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.
Warm Up
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.”