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Pause Power!

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Lesson Plan

Pause Power Lesson Plan

Students will learn and practice three quick self‐regulation tools—deep breathing, wall push, and counting—and use a simple “Pause Power” cue before reacting to big feelings.

These strategies give a kindergarten child with sensory processing disorder and ADHD concrete, easy-to-use techniques to manage overwhelming emotions in the moment, improving focus and emotional awareness.

Audience

Kindergarten Individual Student

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Model, practice, reflect.

Materials

Pause Power Visual Card, * Deep Breathing Illustration, * Wall Push Diagram, * Counting Cards 1-5, and * Soft Comfort Toy

Prep

Gather and Review Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Check-In and Identify Feelings

2 minutes

  • Greet the student and ask, “How are you feeling right now?”
  • Validate the child’s response (e.g., “It’s okay to feel excited or upset.”).
  • Use emotion words and point to any feeling visuals.

Step 2

Introduce the Pause Power Strategy

3 minutes

  • Show the Pause Power Visual Card.
  • Explain that saying “Pause” means stopping to pick a tool before reacting.
  • Practice saying “Pause” together and tapping the card.

Step 3

Demonstrate Self-Regulation Techniques

5 minutes

Step 4

Guided Practice

4 minutes

  • Present a simple scenario (e.g., feeling frustrated when a puzzle piece won’t fit).
  • Prompt the student to say “Pause” and choose a tool.
  • Guide them through the chosen technique and offer praise.

Step 5

Reflection and Cool-Down

1 minute

  • Ask, “Which tool helped you the most?”
  • Celebrate their use of Pause Power and reinforce success with a high-five or sticker.
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Slide Deck

Pause Power!

Quick Tools for Big Feelings

Welcome to Pause Power! Today we’re going to learn three quick tools to help when you have big feelings. We’ll practice saying “Pause” and then picking a tool to help you calm down.

Step 1: Pause

Stop and say “Pause!”
Tap the Pause Power Visual Card

Introduce the Pause Power Visual Card. Show it and have the student tap it while saying “Pause!” several times together.

Tool 1: Deep Breathing

• Take a deep belly breath in (count 1-2-3)
• Blow out slowly

See Deep Breathing Illustration

Model a deep belly breath: place hand on belly, breathe in for a count of 3, then blow out slowly. Encourage the student to follow your lead.

Tool 2: Wall Push

• Lean into a wall
• Push gently and count 1-2-3

See Wall Push Diagram

Show the Wall Push Diagram. Demonstrate leaning in and pushing gently. Count aloud to 3 as you push. Invite the student to try.

Tool 3: Counting 1-5

• Use Counting Cards 1-5
• Count slowly to 5

Spread out the Counting Cards 1-5. Point and count together slowly up to 5. Emphasize taking your time between each number.

Let’s Practice!

Imagine the puzzle piece won’t fit.

  1. Pause
  2. Choose a tool
  3. Try it now!

Present the puzzle scenario. Guide the student: say “Pause,” pick a tool, and then use it. Offer praise and gentle prompts as needed.

Great Job!

• Which tool helped you the most?
• Give yourself a high-five!

Ask which tool the student liked best and why. Celebrate with a high-five or sticker. Remind them they can use these tools anytime.

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