Stop, Think, Act Script

Teacher: Hi there! Today we’re going to learn a simple 3-step plan called Stop, Think, Act. It will help you pause and make smart choices when you feel the urge to do something—like touching someone or getting distracted. Ready to try it?

Teacher: First, quick question: What happens when we act without thinking?

--give student time to answer--

Teacher: Great ideas! Sometimes acting too fast can cause problems. Now let’s learn our three steps.

Step 1: STOP

Teacher: When you feel an urge—like wanting to touch a friend’s toy—your first job is to STOP. That means:
• Freeze for a moment
• Take a deep breath

Teacher (modeling): I feel like grabbing this pencil right now. I... STOP. (Teacher demonstrates freezing and breathing.)

Teacher: Your turn—show me how you STOP.

Teacher: Awesome! You took a deep breath and paused.

Step 2: THINK

Teacher: Next is THINK. Ask yourself:
• “What could happen if I act on this urge?”
• “What’s a better choice I can make?”

Teacher (modeling): If I grab my friend’s pencil, they might feel upset. A better choice is to ask first.

Teacher: Now you try: tell me what might happen and one better choice.

Teacher: That’s exactly right!

Step 3: ACT

Teacher: Finally, ACT on your best choice. Do something safe and smart.

Teacher (modeling): I’ll say, “May I please use your pencil?”

Teacher: Can you show me how you would ACT on a good choice?

Teacher: Fantastic job!

Quick Practice

Teacher: Let’s practice one more scenario: You want to touch a classmate’s toy without asking.
Stop.
Think.
Act.

Teacher: Walk me through your Stop, Think, Act steps.

Teacher: You did great using Stop, Think, Act! Next, we’ll try on your own with a worksheet and then celebrate how you’ll use it today.

End of Script

Stop, Think, Act Worksheet

Read the scenario below. Then use the Stop, Think, Act steps to plan your response.

Scenario: You see a classmate’s new toy car and feel the urge to grab it without asking.

Step 1: STOP
What will you do first to pause and calm yourself?

Step 2: THINK
• What could happen if you grab the toy without asking?
• What are two better choices you could make instead?

Step 3: ACT
Which choice will you pick? How will you show it?

Step 4: DRAW OR WRITE
Show yourself using Stop, Think, Act in this scenario. You can draw a picture or write a few sentences.

Reflection:
When else might you use Stop, Think, Act today?

Stop, Think, Act Reading

Impulse control helps us pause and make smart choices when we feel a strong urge—like grabbing a friend’s toy without asking or shouting out in class. The Stop, Think, Act strategy shows us how: first you STOP and take a deep breath, then you THINK about what could happen (maybe your friend will feel upset or your teacher will ask you to be quiet), and finally you ACT by picking a safe, respectful choice—like asking politely or using your own materials. When you practice Stop, Think, Act, you feel more in control, get better at staying on task, and help everyone around you feel happy and safe.

Stop, Think, Act Discussion Guide

Use this guide after the lesson to check understanding and help the student connect Stop, Think, Act to real situations.

1. Recap the Steps (Check for Understanding)

Teacher: “Can you teach me the three steps of Stop, Think, Act and tell me what each one means?”

2. Connect to Real-life Examples

Teacher: “Think of a time today when you felt an urge—like touching someone’s desk or blurting out. Which step did you use or could you have used?”
• What happened?
• Which part was hardest?

3. Identify Strengths and Challenges

Teacher: “Which step feels easiest for you—Stop, Think, or Act? Which step is trickiest? Why?”

4. Plan for Practice (Personal Goal)

Teacher: “Let’s pick one situation you might face today (e.g., wanting to touch a toy, getting off-task). How will you use Stop, Think, Act? Describe each step.”

5. Link to Materials and Next Steps

• Invite the student to read Stop, Think, Act Reading again at home.
• Encourage them to review the Stop, Think, Act Worksheet if they want extra practice.
• Plan a quick check-in later: “Next time I see you, I’ll ask how you used Stop, Think, Act!”

Teacher Tips:

• If the student struggles, prompt with “What could you STOP and breathe?” or “What’s one good choice you could make?”
• Use positive praise: “I notice you remembered to pause—great job stopping!”
• Keep language simple and concrete; use visuals from the Stop, Think, Act Slide Deck if needed.

Stop, Think, Act Activity Set

Purpose: Use these role-play scenario cards during the Guided Role-Play step to help the student practice stopping an impulse, thinking through the outcome, and acting on a safe choice.

Teacher Directions:

1. Shuffle the scenario cards and place them face down.
2. Invite the student to pick one card and read the scenario aloud (or read it together).
3. Prompt the student through each step:
   • Stop: “What could you do first to pause and calm down?”
   • Think: “What might happen if you do the impulse? What’s a better choice?”
   • Act: “Which choice will you pick? How will you show that choice?”
4. Provide praise and corrective feedback as needed.
5. Repeat with additional cards until the student is comfortable using Stop, Think, Act on their own.

Scenario Cards

1. The Toy Grab
   You see a friend’s new action figure and feel like grabbing it without asking.
2. Shout the Answer
   You know the answer to the teacher’s question and feel the urge to shout it out before raising your hand.
3. Sticky Fingers
   You walk by a jar of glue and really want to open it and squeeze some out.
4. Paper Toss
   You have a piece of paper and want to throw it at someone across the room because it looks fun.
5. Touchy Classmate
   You feel like poking or touching the classmate sitting next to you to get their attention.
6. Snack Sneak
   You smell your snack in your backpack and want to unzip it and eat it right now—even though it’s not snack time.
7. Spit Impulse
   You feel like spitting on the floor because you’re bored and restless.
8. Goof Off
   You’ve finished your work early and feel like messing around on your desk instead of staying on task.
    
    
   End of Activity Set