Lesson Plan
Traffic Light Coaching Plan
Students will learn to recognize impulses and use the traffic light metaphor—Red to stop, Yellow to think, Green to act—to self-monitor and choose appropriate responses in challenging moments.
This lesson gives second graders a simple visual framework to manage emotions and reduce impulsive behavior, supporting positive social interactions and academic readiness.
Audience
2nd Grade Student
Time
20 minutes
Approach
Guided conversation and role-play with visual aids
Materials
Prep
Prepare Session Materials
5 minutes
- Select a quiet, comfortable space for the one-on-one session.
- Gather printed Red-Yellow-Green Visuals.
- Review Coach’s Traffic Light Script to familiarize yourself with prompts.
- Print copies of My Traffic Light Tracker and After-Session Reflection.
Step 1
Greeting and Warm-Up
2 minutes
- Welcome the student and set a positive, supportive tone.
- Explain that today’s goal is to learn a fun way to manage impulses using a traffic light.
Step 2
Introduce Traffic Light Metaphor
3 minutes
- Display Red-Yellow-Green Visuals.
- Explain each color: Red = Stop, Yellow = Think, Green = Go.
- Ask the student what they would do at each color.
Step 3
Identify Triggers
5 minutes
- Ask the student to recall moments when they acted too quickly or felt upset.
- Use prompts from Coach’s Traffic Light Script to guide discussion.
- Label each situation with the appropriate traffic light color.
Step 4
Practice Response
5 minutes
- Role-play one or two of the student’s scenarios.
- Coach the student to say “Red” to pause, “Yellow” to think of solutions, then “Green” to act.
- Reference the Red-Yellow-Green Visuals as needed.
Step 5
Track and Reflect
3 minutes
- Provide the student with My Traffic Light Tracker.
- Have them record each scenario, chosen color, and intended action.
- Offer positive feedback and clarify any questions.
Step 6
Wrap-Up and Journal
2 minutes
- Hand over the After-Session Reflection.
- Prompt the student to write one key takeaway and how they will use it.
- Close with encouragement and next steps for practice.
Slide Deck
Red: Stop!
Definition:
• Red means STOP when you feel big feelings or impulses.
What to do:
• Freeze for a moment.
• Take a deep breath.
Prompt:
• When might you need to press Red to pause?
Display a bold red traffic light icon filling most of the slide. Encourage the student to call out “Red!” with enthusiasm. Emphasize taking a deep breath as you discuss.
Yellow: Think!
Definition:
• Yellow means THINK about what’s happening.
What to do:
• Ask yourself: “What are my choices?”
• Consider the consequences of each option.
Prompt:
• What ideas could help you before you act?
Show a large yellow light icon. Ask the student to tilt their head and think aloud. Guide them to brainstorm possible solutions.
Green: Go!
Definition:
• Green means GO with your best choice.
What to do:
• Pick the solution you thought of on Yellow.
• Move forward calmly and confidently.
Prompt:
• Which action will you choose when you see Green?
Feature a bright green circle. Have the student give a thumbs-up when they’re ready to move forward. Reinforce positive action.
Script
Coach’s Traffic Light Script
Greeting and Warm-Up (2 minutes)
Teacher: "Hi there, [Student Name]! I'm so happy to see you today. We're going to do something special—learn a super-cool way to manage our feelings using a traffic light. Does that sound fun?"
Student responds.
Teacher: "Great! Let's get started!"
Introduce the Traffic Light Metaphor (3 minutes)
Teacher: "Have you ever seen a traffic light at a street corner? It has three colors: red, yellow, and green. Just like cars stop and go, we can use these colors to 'stop' our big feelings, 'think' about our choices, and then 'go' with our best idea."
Teacher: "Let me show you some pictures." (Show Red-Yellow-Green Visuals)
Teacher: "This red light means Stop! When you feel a big feeling or impulse, you press your 'Red' button. Let’s all show me your red button!"
(Student imitates pressing a button.)
Teacher: "Awesome! Now, the yellow light means Think! You pause and ask yourself: 'What are my choices? What might happen if I do each one?' Let’s do your yellow button together."
(Student presses air button.)
Teacher: "Perfect! Lastly, the green light means Go! with your best idea. You pick your choice and do it. Show me your green button!"
(Student gives thumbs-up or presses air button.)
Teacher: "You did great! So remember: Red to stop, Yellow to think, Green to go."
Identify Triggers (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Now, can you think of a time when you felt really mad, excited, or upset and you acted too quickly? Maybe you shouted, grabbed something, or ran off?"
Student shares.
Teacher: "Thank you for sharing! That sounds like a Red moment because you had a big feeling. If you were at a real traffic light, you'd press 'Red' to stop. What color would you press when that happens?"
Student answers.
Teacher: "Exactly! That's how we use our traffic light."
Practice Response (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Let’s practice with that situation. We’ll pretend it's happening now. When I say 'Scene!', you call out 'Red!' and we’ll pause. Then we’ll say 'Yellow' and think of some good ideas. Finally, we’ll say 'Green' and act out the best one. Ready?"
Teacher: "Scene!"
(Student calls 'Red!')
Teacher: "Yellow—What are two things you could do instead of acting too quickly?"
Student offers ideas; coach praises and adds suggestions if needed.
Teacher: "Green—Show me how you'd do your best choice calmly."
(Student role-plays.)
Teacher: "Fantastic job choosing and doing a calm action!"
Track and Reflect (3 minutes)
Teacher: "I’m proud of your practice! Now, here is your My Traffic Light Tracker. Let’s fill in one row together. First, write the situation you just practiced."
(Student writes.)
Teacher: "Great! Now write the color—‘Red,’ ‘Yellow,’ or ‘Green.’ Then write what action you chose on Green."
(Student completes chart.)
Teacher: "You did it! Wonderful work."
Wrap-Up and Journal (2 minutes)
Teacher: "You’re doing amazing with the traffic light! Here’s your After-Session Reflection. Please write or draw one thing you learned today and one way you will use Red-Yellow-Green tomorrow at school or home."
(Student reflects.)
Teacher: "Thank you for working so hard! You can practice using your traffic light anytime you feel big feelings. I’m proud of you. See you next time!"
Worksheet
My Traffic Light Tracker
Use this chart to record moments you use Red-Yellow-Green. Fill in each row for a new situation.
| Situation 📝 | Color 🚦 | Action 💪 |
|---|---|---|
| _______________________________ | _______ | _______________________________ |
| _______________________________ | _______ | _______________________________ |
| _______________________________ | _______ | _______________________________ |
| _______________________________ | _______ | _______________________________ |
| _______________________________ | _______ | _______________________________ |
Tips:
- In Situation, briefly describe what happened.
- In Color, write “Red,” “Yellow,” or “Green.”
- In Action, describe what you did after pressing Green.
Journal
After-Session Reflection
Great job exploring the Traffic Light Technique! Use the prompts below to think about what you learned and how you’ll use Red–Yellow–Green in real life.
-
What is one important thing you learned today about using the traffic light to manage your feelings?
-
How will you use Red–Yellow–Green the next time you feel a big feeling (like anger, excitement, or frustration)?
-
Draw yourself using the traffic light tool to handle a big feeling. Show where you press Red, Yellow, and Green.