Stop, Think, Act! Script

Introduction & Hook (5 minutes)

(Teacher displays Stop, Think, Act! Slide Deck - Slide 1)

"Hi everyone! I'm so glad you're here today. We're going to talk about something super important that can help us all make better choices and feel more in control. Has anyone ever done something quickly, without really thinking about it, and then wished they had taken a moment to think a bit more? Maybe you blurted out an answer, or grabbed a toy, or ran ahead too fast?"

(Pause for student responses, acknowledge their experiences without judgment.)

"It happens to all of us! Sometimes our brains work so fast that our bodies act before we've had a chance to really think things through. This is called being impulsive. It's totally okay, it's just how some brains are wired, but guess what? We can learn some amazing strategies to help us 'stop and think' more often!"

(Teacher displays Stop, Think, Act! Slide Deck - Slide 2)

"Today, we're going to learn a superpower strategy called 'Stop, Think, Act!' It's like having your own personal stoplight inside your head to help you make smart choices."

Understanding the Stoplight Strategy (10 minutes)

"Let's break down this 'Stop, Think, Act!' strategy, just like a traffic light."

Red Light: STOP! (Teacher displays Stop, Think, Act! Slide Deck - Slide 3)

"First, when you feel that fast feeling, like you're about to do or say something quickly, imagine a bright red stoplight flashing in your mind. What does a red light mean?"

(Pause for student response: STOP.)

"Exactly! A red light means STOP! This is your signal to PAUSE. Don't move. Don't speak. Just freeze for a second. Take a big, deep breath. Let your brain catch up to your body. It's like giving your brain a little 'time out' to get ready to think."

Yellow Light: THINK! (Teacher displays Stop, Think, Act! Slide Deck - Slide 4)

"After you've stopped and taken a breath, what does a yellow light mean?"

(Pause for student response: SLOW DOWN/PREPARE TO GO.)

"You got it! A yellow light means SLOW DOWN and THINK! This is the most important part. During this 'yellow light' time, you ask yourself some important questions:

• 'What are my choices right now? What could I do or say?'
• 'What might happen if I choose option A? What about option B?' (Think about the good and not-so-good consequences).
• 'How will this choice affect me? Will I be happy with it later?'
• 'How will this choice affect other people around me?'"

"It's like looking at a map and deciding the best way to get where you want to go!"

Green Light: ACT! (Teacher displays Stop, Think, Act! Slide Deck - Slide 5)

"And finally, what does a green light mean?"

(Pause for student response: GO!)

"That's right! A green light means ACT! Once you've stopped and really thought about your choices and their consequences, you can pick the best option and go for it. You've already done the hard work of thinking it through, so now you can act confidently!"

"Let me show you a quick example: Imagine someone accidentally bumps into your amazing tower of blocks and it all crashes down! My first reaction might be to yell. But with Stop, Think, Act!:

• STOP! (I take a deep breath, count to three in my head).
• THINK! (Okay, they didn't mean to. Yelling won't fix my blocks. I can ask for help, or I can rebuild it myself. Asking for help seems like a good idea, and it won't make anyone sad).
• ACT! (I take another breath and calmly say, 'Oh no! Can you help me pick up the blocks, please?'). See how much better that feels?"

Practice Scenarios (10 minutes)

"Now it's your turn to practice being 'Stop, Think, Act!' superstars!"

(Distribute the Think First Scenarios.)

"I'm going to read some situations, and we'll use our Stoplight Strategy together to decide the best way to act. Let's really think through each step."

(Read the first scenario from Think First Scenarios aloud.)

"Scenario 1: You really want to play with a toy your friend has, and you just grab it from their hands."

"Okay, what's our RED LIGHT step here? What should we do first?"

(Guide students to say: STOP! Take a breath.)

"Great! Now, for the YELLOW LIGHT. What are some things we could THINK about? What are our choices? What might happen?"

(Guide students to think about asking, waiting, sharing, consequences of grabbing like making the friend mad, breaking the toy.)

"Excellent thinking! So, for the GREEN LIGHT, what's the best way to ACT in this situation?"

(Guide students to suggest politely asking, waiting their turn, or asking to share.)

(Repeat this process for 1-2 more scenarios from Think First Scenarios, ensuring both students participate in each step.)

"Fantastic job practicing! You're really getting the hang of it. Now, you'll each get a worksheet. We'll read one more scenario, and you'll quietly think about it and fill in your Stop, Think, Act! boxes just like we did together."

(Distribute the Stoplight Strategy Worksheet. Read another scenario from Think First Scenarios aloud, for example: "Your teacher asks a question, and you know the answer, so you blurt it out without raising your hand." Allow students to work independently on their worksheets, offering support as needed.)

Wrap-up and Reflection (5 minutes)

"Alright, let's quickly share what you came up with for that last scenario. Who wants to tell us what they put for their RED LIGHT step?"

(Discuss student responses for Stop, Think, and Act for the worksheet scenario.)

"Awesome work today, everyone! Remember, 'Stop, Think, Act!' is a powerful tool you can use every single day. When you feel that fast feeling, just remember your inner stoplight:

(Teacher displays Stop, Think, Act! Slide Deck - Slide 6)

• RED means STOP!
• YELLOW means THINK!
• GREEN means ACT!

"The more you practice, the easier it will become to make those smart, thoughtful choices. Keep practicing your superpower! Great job today!"

Think First Scenarios

Instructions: Cut out each scenario individually. The teacher will read these aloud for students to practice the "Stop, Think, Act!" strategy.

Scenario 1

You really want to play with a toy your friend has, and you just grab it from their hands.

Scenario 2

The teacher asks a question, and you know the answer, so you blurt it out without raising your hand.

Scenario 3

You get frustrated with a math problem and want to rip the paper.

Scenario 4

Your friend tells a funny joke during quiet reading time, and you burst out laughing loudly.

Scenario 5

You are playing a game, and your turn takes longer than you expected, so you keep playing even though it's someone else's turn.

Stoplight Strategy Worksheet

Name: _________________________

Scenario: Your friend is telling a story, and you remember a similar, exciting story you want to share right away. You feel like interrupting!

RED LIGHT: STOP!

What should you do first when you feel like interrupting?

YELLOW LIGHT: THINK!

What are your choices? What might happen if you interrupt? What might happen if you wait?

GREEN LIGHT: ACT!

What is the best choice you can make in this situation?