• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
    • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In
lenny

Stay Close, Stay Safe

user image

Jordan Robinson

Tier 3
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Stay Close Lesson Plan

Students will learn why wandering away (eloping) is unsafe and practice staying close to caregivers by reading a social story, identifying safe behaviors, and role-playing hand-holding scenarios.

This lesson helps at-risk kindergarteners understand the dangers of eloping and builds skills for staying within sight of a grown-up, reducing safety incidents and increasing confidence.

Audience

Kindergarten Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Social story reading with role-play and reflection.

Materials

Stay Close Social Story, Role-Play Scenario Cards, Reflection Drawing Paper, Stay Close Sticker Reinforcement, and Safe Behavior Chart

Prep

Prepare Materials and Space

10 minutes

  • Print and assemble Stay Close Social Story
  • Cut out and laminate Role-Play Scenario Cards
  • Make copies of Reflection Drawing Paper
  • Display Safe Behavior Chart on a whiteboard or wall
  • Gather Stay Close Sticker Reinforcement and have them ready near your teaching area

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

2 minutes

  • Invite the student to sit with you and show a picture of a child and grown-up staying close
  • Ask: “Why do you think it’s important to stay with our grown-ups?”
  • Chart student responses on the Safe Behavior Chart

Step 2

Read Social Story

5 minutes

  • Open the Stay Close Social Story and show each page clearly
  • Read aloud, pointing to images of a child wandering and being scared
  • Pause to ask: “How do you think the child feels when they’re far away?”
  • Emphasize the repeated refrain: “Stay close to my grown-up.”

Step 3

Interactive Role-Play

5 minutes

  • Explain that you will act out situations using Role-Play Scenario Cards
  • Show a card depicting a child trying to walk away; student practices saying, “Wait for me!”
  • Practice holding hands and walking together in a small circle
  • Switch roles so the student leads while you follow, reinforcing staying within two steps

Step 4

Guided Reflection Drawing

2 minutes

  • Give the student Reflection Drawing Paper
  • Ask them to draw themselves holding hands with their grown-up at school or the park
  • Label the drawing with one safe behavior (e.g., “I hold hands.”)

Step 5

Cool-Down & Sticker Reinforcement

1 minute

  • Review the three key behaviors: hold hands, stay in sight, ask for help
  • Praise the student: “You did great staying close!”
  • Place a sticker from Stay Close Sticker Reinforcement on their hand as a reminder
lenny

Reading

Stay Close Social Story

Page 1

Text:
This is me and my grown-up. We hold hands when we walk.

Stay close to my grown-up.

Image: A child smiling, holding an adult’s hand as they walk together.

Page 2

Text:
Sometimes I see something fun and I want to run.

Stay close to my grown-up.

Image: The child looking excited, stepping away from the grown-up while pointing at a butterfly.

Page 3

Text:
When I walk away, I cannot see my grown-up. I feel scared and alone.

Stay close to my grown-up.

Image: The child standing alone, looking around with a worried face.

Page 4

Text:
I call out, “Wait for me!” but my voice is too quiet. I still cannot find my grown-up.

Stay close to my grown-up.

Image: The child cupping hands around their mouth, calling out, but no one is nearby.

Page 5

Text:
I remember to hold hands and stay within two steps. Now I can always see my grown-up.

Stay close to my grown-up.

Image: The child and grown-up walking side by side, holding hands, on a sidewalk.

Page 6

Text:
Holding hands makes me feel safe. We look at each other and smile.

Stay close to my grown-up.

Image: Close-up of hands held together and happy faces.

Page 7

Text:
I will stay close to my grown-up. I am safe and happy when we stay together.

Stay close to my grown-up.

Image: The child hugging the grown-up’s leg, both smiling.

lenny
lenny

Activity

Role-Play Scenario Cards

Use these cards to practice what to do when you feel like running away. Show one card at a time and let the student act out the safe response (stay close, hold hands, say “Wait for me!”).

Card 1

Scenario: I see a bright balloon floating away, and I want to chase it.

Image: A child stepping away from an adult while reaching for a red balloon drifting upward.

Card 2

Scenario: I hear a friend calling me from the playground, and I want to run to them.

Image: A child turning to run toward a playground gate where another child waves.

Card 3

Scenario: I smell ice cream coming from a truck and I want to go get some.

Image: A child starting to step away from an adult toward an ice cream truck.

Card 4

Scenario: I see a cute dog across the street and I want to pet it.

Image: A child looking at a dog and stepping toward a road away from an adult.

Instructions for Use:

  1. Show the student one card at a time.
  2. Ask, “What do you want to do?”
  3. Prompt student to practice saying, “Wait for me!” and holding hands.
  4. Role-play walking together while staying within two steps.
lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Reflection Drawing Paper

Instructions:

  1. Draw a picture of yourself holding hands with your grown-up in a safe place (like school or the park).














  1. Write one safe behavior you will practice to stay close and safe (for example: “I hold hands.”)





lenny
lenny

Rubric

Safe Behavior Chart

Use this chart to mark which safe behaviors the student mentions during the Warm-Up Discussion on why it’s important to stay close to their grown-up.

Safe BehaviorMentioned (✓)
Hold hands
Stay within sight of grown-up
Ask for help when feeling lost
lenny
lenny