Pause And Think Worksheet

Directions:

1. Color the picture for each scenario.
2. Pause – Stop for a moment.
3. Breathe – Take two slow breaths.
4. Think – Decide on the best choice.
5. Draw or circle the healthy choice in the space below each scenario.

Scenario 1

You see your friend playing with a toy you really want to use right now.

What could you do instead of grabbing the toy?

Draw or circle the healthy choice here:

Scenario 2

You know the answer to the teacher’s question but your friend is still talking. You want to shout out your answer right away.

What could you do instead of shouting?

Draw or circle the healthy choice here:

Scenario 3

You’re in line for snack time and someone cuts in front of you. You feel upset and want to push them away.

What could you do instead of pushing?

Draw or circle the healthy choice here:

Freeze And Think Game

Objective:
Students will practice impulse control by using the Stop–Breathe–Think steps in a fun movement game.

Audience: Kindergarten | Time: 7 minutes | Tier: 1 Classroom Support

Materials:

• Music player or speaker with an upbeat, child‐friendly song
• Pause Signal Cards (teacher holds up when game pauses)
• Open space clear of furniture
• Soft fidget objects (optional for students needing extra sensory support)

Setup:

1. Push furniture to the room’s edges to create a safe pathway.
2. Place students around the perimeter standing or walking in place.
3. Cue your music so it’s ready to start and stop.

Instructions:

1. Explain the Game (1 minute)
   • Tell students they will practice pausing and thinking while music plays.
   • Model the three steps: Stop, Breathe, Think.
2. Walk to the Music (2 minutes)
   • Play the music and have students walk slowly around the space.
3. Freeze & Think (3 minutes)
   • Randomly stop the music.
   • Immediately hold up a Pause Signal Card. Students must freeze in place.
   • Prompt silently: Stop (hands up), Breathe (take two slow breaths), Think (“What’s a good choice?”). Pause for 5–10 seconds.
   • Ask students to turn to a partner and whisper the positive choice they thought of.
   • Play the music again and repeat 4–5 times.
4. Debrief (1 minute)
   • Gather students in a circle and ask a few volunteers: “What good choice did you think of when you froze?”

Teacher Prompts:

• “Show me your Freeze pose!”
• “Remember: Stop, Breathe, Think.”
• “What healthy choice did you decide on?”

Extensions & Variations:

• Assign different emotions each round (e.g., “Pretend you’re feeling excited—what pause choice helps?”).
• Invite older students to call out the choice instead of whispering.

Accommodations:

• Provide a soft fidget object for students needing extra sensory input while waiting.
• For students with mobility differences, allow seated marching or gentle arm movements instead of walking.

Impulse Control Chat

A short, guided classroom discussion to help kindergarteners distinguish between an impulse (a quick urge) and self-control (pausing to make a good choice).

Materials

• Feelings Chart Poster
• A simple scenario picture (e.g., child wanting a friend’s toy)

Time

About 7 minutes

Discussion Guidelines

• Listen when others speak and use a quiet voice.
• Show the feeling on the Feelings Chart Poster.
• Raise your hand when you’d like to share.

1. Warm-Up: Spot the Feeling (2 minutes)

1. Point to a few faces on the Feelings Chart:
   • “Who feels happy?”
   • “Who feels excited?”
2. Ask:
   • “What does your body feel like when you really, really want something?”
   • Follow-up: “Does it feel like your heart beats fast? Do you wiggle or talk quickly?”

2. What Is an Impulse? (2 minutes)

1. Define impulse in kid-friendly terms:
   • “An impulse is a big, fast feeling that tells us to do something right away.”
2. Prompt the class:
   • “Tell me about a time you wanted to grab a toy without asking. How did that impulse feel?”
   • Follow-up: “What did you almost do next?”

3. Practice Using Pause & Think (2 minutes)

1. Show the “grabbing the crayon” picture from story time.
2. Ask:
   • “If Mia sees a crayon she really wants, what impulse might she have?”
   • “What could Mia do instead of grabbing?”
3. Guide students to the three steps:
   1. Stop – show your hands up like a stop sign
   2. Breathe – take two slow breaths together
   3. Think – whisper a good choice to your partner
4. Follow-up: Call on two students to share the healthy choices they whispered.

4. Wrap-Up: Why Pause & Think? (1 minute)

• Ask: “How does pausing help us make better choices?”
• Reinforce:
  • Pausing helps our heart slow down.
  • Breathing gives us time to think.
  • Thinking helps us choose kindness and safety.

Encourage students to use Stop–Breathe–Think whenever they feel a big impulse today.

Pause Signal Cards

Print and cut along the lines to use these cards during activities.
Use each card to remind yourself of the step you need to do next.

🛑 STOP
Hold up this card and your hand like a stop sign.
Take a moment to pause before you act.

💨 BREATHE
Show this card and take two slow, deep breaths.
Feel your body calm down.

💡 THINK
Hold this card as you ask: “What’s the best choice?”
Decide on an action that is safe and kind.

✂️ Cut along the lines above to separate your three signal cards.
Keep them handy when you need to Pause & Think!

Feelings Chart Poster

Use these faces to show how you’re feeling today:

😀 Happy — I feel good and smile.
😢 Sad — I feel like crying.
😡 Angry — I feel mad and might stomp.
😟 Worried — I feel nervous or unsure.
🤩 Excited — I feel super happy and bouncy.
😨 Scared — I feel afraid or shaky.
😌 Calm — I feel relaxed and quiet.
😲 Surprised — I feel amazed and say “Wow!”

Hang this poster where everyone can see it to help us name our feelings and talk about them together!