Lesson Plan
Mini Body Control Break Plan
Help the student practice following directions and keeping hands and body to themselves through structured, movement-based activities with clear visual cues and positive reinforcement.
Developing body awareness and self-regulation reduces classroom disruptions, improves peer interactions, and lays the foundation for on-task behavior and academic success.
Audience
Kindergarten
Time
15 minutes
Approach
Movement practice with visual cues and token rewards.
Materials
- Visual Body Control Cue Cards, - Timer or Stopwatch, - Calm-Down Spot Mat, and - Token Reward Cards
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Print and cut out the Visual Body Control Cue Cards.
- Print and assemble the Token Reward Cards.
- Place the Calm-Down Spot Mat in a quiet area of the classroom.
- Test and set up the timer or stopwatch for short intervals.
- Review the sequence of activities and reinforcement plan.
Step 1
Welcome and Goal Setting
2 minutes
- Greet the student warmly and have them sit on the Calm-Down Spot Mat.
- Explain: “Today we’ll practice keeping our hands and body to ourselves while we move and play.”
- Show the student the Visual Body Control Cue Cards and briefly describe each action cue.
Step 2
Modeling Demonstrations
3 minutes
- Display each cue card one at a time and demonstrate the action (e.g., “Hands in Your Lap,” “Feet on the Floor,” “Body Facing Forward”).
- Emphasize calm, slow movements and model what hands-to-self looks like during each cue.
- Ask the student to repeat after you for one or two cues to check understanding.
Step 3
Guided Practice
5 minutes
- Set the timer for 1 minute intervals.
- Show a cue card, start the timer, and guide the student through maintaining body control for the full minute.
- Offer verbal prompts as needed: “Remember, hands in your lap.”
- After each interval, give immediate feedback and award 1 Token Reward Card for meeting the goal.
Step 4
Independent Practice
3 minutes
- Increase intervals to 2 minutes if the student is successful; otherwise continue 1-minute trials.
- Allow the student to practice following cues independently with minimal prompts.
- Continue awarding a Token Reward Card for each successful interval.
Step 5
Review and Reinforcement
2 minutes
- Count the Token Reward Cards earned and praise effort: “You earned ___ tokens by using great body control!”
- Reinforce progress by offering a small reward (sticker or extra playtime) once they collect a set number of tokens.
- Encourage the student to use these strategies during regular class activities.
Slide Deck
Mini Body Control Break
A 15-minute session to practice keeping hands and body to yourself.
Welcome the student and introduce the session. Say: “Hi! Today we have a Mini Body Control Break to practice keeping our hands and body to ourselves. Let’s have fun!”
Today’s Goal
Practice body control by keeping your hands and body to yourself during activities.
Point to the goal and read it aloud. Say: “This is our goal for today.”
Visual Cue: Hands in Your Lap
Place your hands in your lap and keep them still.
Show the Hands in Your Lap cue card graphic. Model placing your hands in your lap and say: “Hands in your lap, nice and still.”
Visual Cue: Feet on the Floor
Keep both feet flat on the floor.
Show the Feet on the Floor cue card. Demonstrate both feet flat on the floor. Say: “Feet on the floor, nice and calm.”
Visual Cue: Body Facing Forward
Sit with your body facing forward.
Show the Body Facing Forward cue card. Model sitting straight and facing forward. Say: “Body facing forward, ready to go!”
Guided Practice
• We will practice each cue for 1-minute intervals
• I will show a cue card and start the timer
• Follow the cue and stay calm
• I’ll give reminders and cheer you on
Explain the guided practice routine. Say: “We’ll practice each cue for one minute while I guide you. I’ll start the timer, and you follow along.”
Independent Practice
• Practice cues on your own for up to 2 minutes each
• Try to follow the pictures with minimal reminders
• Earn a token for each successful interval
Encourage the student to try solo. Say: “Now you will practice the cues on your own. I’ll be here quietly watching and giving you lots of praise!”
Rewards & Reinforcement
• Earn 1 token for each successful interval
• Collect tokens to pick a small reward
• Keep using these cues during class for more tokens!
Show Token Reward Cards. Explain how tokens work. Say: “Each time you follow a cue for the full interval, you get one token. Collect tokens to choose a sticker or extra playtime!”
Great Job!
You did an awesome job practicing body control!
Celebrate success. Say: “You did an amazing job practicing body control today! Keep it up during our next activities.”
Activity
Visual-Cue Card Set
These cards can be printed (two per sheet) and laminated. Each shows a clear picture and simple text reminder. Use them during the Mini Body Control Break or post them in the classroom as quick-reference cues.
Materials for Printing:
- Card stock or heavy paper
- Color printer
- Laminator (optional)
- Scissors or paper cutter
Print Layout Suggestion:
- Two cards per 8½×11″ page (landscape)
- Cut in half along the center line
- Laminate for durability
Cards
- Hands in Your Lap
[Image: Child seated at table, hands resting quietly in lap]
Text: "Hands in Your Lap"
- Feet on the Floor
[Image: Child’s feet flat on the floor, knees bent at 90°]
Text: "Feet on the Floor"
- Body Facing Forward
[Image: Child sitting straight, shoulders and face toward the teacher]
Text: "Body Facing Forward"
Use the cards by holding them up or placing them on the table. Encourage the student to glance at the picture and text as a reminder. Praise and reward with a token each time they follow the cue for the full interval!
Activity
Token Reward Cards
These cards are handed to the student each time they successfully complete a body-control interval. Once the student collects a set number of tokens, they can exchange them for a small reward (sticker, extra playtime, etc.).
Materials for Printing:
- Card stock or heavy paper
- Color printer
- Laminator (optional)
- Scissors or paper cutter
- (Optional) Hole punch and split ring or lanyard
Print Layout Suggestion:
- 10 cards per 8½″×11″ page (2 columns × 5 rows)
- Each card approx. 3½″×2″
- Cut along the dashed lines
- Laminate for durability
- (Optional) Punch a hole in one corner and thread onto a ring for easy handling
Card Design
Each Token Reward Card features a bright star to celebrate success. You can customize colors or add the student’s name for personalization.
Front of Card:
[Image: Gold star icon centered]
Text below: "Body Control Token"
Back of Card (optional):
- Space for date or teacher initials
How to Use:
- After each successful 1- or 2-minute interval of following a cue, give the student one Token Reward Card.
- Encourage the student to place their new card on a ring or in a small envelope.
- When they collect the predetermined number of cards (e.g., 5 or 10), allow them to choose a small prize.
- Celebrate progress and reset the card collection for the next session.
Use these tokens alongside the Visual Body Control Cue Cards during your Mini Body Control Break for consistent positive reinforcement!