Brain Brakes Slides
Social Skills Lab
Ready, Set, Pause!
Brain Brakes
Using the Three Gates to catch mean thoughts before they slip out!
Stop. Think. Choose.
Slide 1 of 9
Where Do Words Live?
Understanding Thoughts
1. Inside My Brain
This is a Thought.
Only YOU can hear it. It is safe inside.
"That game looks hard."
2. Out of My Mouth
This is a Spoken Word.
Once said, EVERYONE hears it. You cannot take it back!
"You are bad at this game!" 😢
We need a BRAKE to stop mean thoughts before they turn into hurtful spoken words!
Unit: Emotional Regulation Slide 2 of 9
Step on the Brain Brake!
Stop Technique
BRAKE
Press Hard & Pause!
When a mean or angry thought pops into your head:
1
SQUEEZE Your Hands
Make a tight fist or push your hands together to feel the brake.
2
TAKE One Slow Breath
In through your nose, out through your mouth. Keep the word inside.
3
SEND It to the Three Gates
Test the word to see if it is safe to unlock and speak.
Let's Practice! Everyone squeeze your hands together and take a deep breath. Practice Together Now
Action Physical Cue Slide 3 of 9
The Three Gates of Speaking
Unlock Your Words
Your word must pass ALL THREE GATES to be spoken out loud!
Gate 1
Is it TRUE?
Is it real? Are you sure it really happened? No guessing or making things up.
Gate 2
Is it KIND?
Does it help someone feel safe and happy? Is it nice, sweet, or helpful?
Gate 3
Is it NEEDED?
Does it need to be said right now? Or does it do absolutely nothing to help?
If even ONE gate is closed... KEEP IT INSIDE!
The Strategy Checklist Slide 4 of 9
Gate 1: Is it True?
Reality Check
Before we speak, we must ask ourselves: "Am I 100% sure this is a real fact?"
Sometimes we are angry, and we make things up or say things that are exaggerations just to hurt feelings.
Facts we saw happen
Rumors or guesses
Gate 1 Try-It!
Your classmate Leo drops a pencil box. Your brain thinks:
"You drop everything! You are always messy!"
Is it actually True?
No! Leo doesn't drop *everything*. It was just a simple accident.
GATE CLOSED! KEEP IT IN!
Gate 1: Reality & Accuracy Slide 5 of 9
Gate 2: Is it Kind?
Heart Check
Before we speak, we must ask: "Will these words help or hurt my classmate?"
Kind words build up our friends' hearts. Mean words break them down. If a word hurts, keep it locked away.
Builds up hearts
Hurts feelings
Gate 2 Try-It!
Mia got a bad grade and is crying. Your brain thinks:
"You are super bad at math, Mia!"
Is it Kind?
Absolutely not. It kicks Mia when she is already sad.
GATE CLOSED! KEEP IT IN!
Gate 2: Compassion & Friendship Slide 6 of 9
Gate 3: Is it Necessary?
Importance Check
Before we speak, ask: "Does this word actually need to be said right now?"
Sometimes things are true, but we don't need to say them out loud. Saying them only causes pointless distraction or embarrassment.
Helps safety or work
Just pointing out errors
Gate 3 Try-It!
The teacher made a small spelling typo on the board. Your brain thinks:
"Hey! You spelled that wrong! Typo!"
Is it Necessary?
Is it true? Yes. Is it mean? No, but shouting it out interrupts class and makes the teacher feel bad. It is not necessary!
GATE CLOSED! KEEP IT IN!
Gate 3: Pacing & Purpose Slide 7 of 9
Play the Game: Brake or Go?
Guided Practice
Scenario In the Lunchroom
Sam tripped on his shoelace. His lunch tray made a huge, loud crash! Everyone turned to look.
Mean Thought Pops Up in Your Head:
"Hahaha, you drop everything! What a baby!"
Do we say it or BRAKE?
SAY IT (GO)
BRAKE (STOP)
Why? Let's check the gates:
- True? No, Sam doesn't drop everything.
- Kind? No, it laughs at his embarrassment.
- Necessary? No, it helps absolutely nobody.
What is a helpful alternative? "Are you okay, Sam? Let me help pick this up."
Interactive Group Discussion Slide 8 of 9
My Brain Brake Promise
Review & Close
The Golden Rule:
If a thought does not pass ALL 3 GATES:
⛔ KEEP IT INSIDE!
"My words are powerful. I choose to build up, not break down."
Daily Checklist
Words Go Through:
Is it True?
It's 100% real, not a guess.
Is it Kind?
It builds up their heart.
Is it Necessary?
It really needs to be said right now.
I am the BOSS of my mouth. I use my Brain Brake!
Self-Regulation Pledge Slide 9 of 9
Brain Brakes Teacher Guide
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Impulse Control
Lesson Goal
Teach students with lower-cognitive skills to pause using a physical gesture ("Brain Brake") and verify their words using the Three Gates (True, Kind, Necessary).
Teacher Prep
1. Cue up Brain Brakes Slides on screen.
2. Print and cut the Discussion Cards.
3. Arrange chairs in a class discussion circle.
STEP 1
Introduce Thoughts vs. Words (Slide 1 & 2)
Gather students in the discussion circle. Display Slide 2 (Where Do Words Live?).
Teacher Action & Script:
"Point to your brain. Inside here is a thought. It is completely silent. Only you can hear it. Now point to your mouth. When a thought slips out of your mouth, it becomes a spoken word. Everyone can hear it! Once a word is out, we cannot grab it and pull it back. So, how do we catch mean thoughts before they jump out?"
STEP 2
Model the Physical "Brain Brake" (Slide 3)
Transition to Slide 3 (Step on the Brain Brake). Introduce the physical self-regulation pose.
Teacher Action & Script:
"When a mean thought pops up, we must step on our Brain Brake! Let's do the Brain Brake gesture together."
👉 ACTION: Squeeze your palms tightly together in front of your chest and take a deep, slow, audible breath in through your nose, then blow it out of your mouth.
"Class, do it with me! Squeeze your hands... breathe in... blow it out. Beautiful! This is our pause button."
STEP 3
Introduce the Three Gates (Slide 4)
Display Slide 4 (The Three Gates). Use three distinct visual checkpoints.
Teacher Action & Script:
"While holding our Brain Brake, our thoughts must go through three locked gates. Let's count them:"
- Gate 1: Is it True? (Is it a real fact we saw happen? No making things up!)
- Gate 2: Is it Kind? (Does it make a friend's heart feel happy? Or does it break it?)
- Gate 3: Is it Necessary? (Does it help? Or does it just point out an error?)
"If even ONE gate is locked, we keep the thought locked inside! No speaking!"
Unit: Emotional Regulation Page 1 of 2
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan Page 2: ACTION & CLOSE
STEP 4
Try It Out Together (Slides 5, 6, 7 & 8)
Brain Brakes Discussion Cards
Print and cut along the dashed lines for 8 discussion cards! Group Activity
Card 1
The New Haircut
Scenario: Kai got a very short haircut. You think his ears look funny. You want to say: "Your haircut looks super weird!"
Talk About It:
- Is saying this kind? (Yes / No)
- How would Kai's heart feel?
- What is a nice word to say?
BRAKE OR GO?
Card 2
The Wet Painting
Scenario: Sarah dropped her wet art project on the floor. She is crying. You want to shout out: "Aha! You ruined your art!"
Talk About It:
- Did she mean to drop it?
- Will your word help her?
- How can we help her clean up?
BRAKE OR GO?
Card 3
The Slow Runner
Scenario: Tim is running slow in gym class. Your team is losing the race. You want to yell: "Hurry up, Tim! You run like a snail!"
Talk About It:
- Is Tim trying his best?
- Will yelling make him run faster?
- What can you cheer to help him?
BRAKE OR GO?
Card 4
Block Building
Scenario: Mia built a block tower, but it blocks your road. You want to push it and say: "Move your stupid tower now!"
Talk About It:
- Is this true, kind, or necessary?
- What happens if you use hands instead?
- How can we ask nicely to share?
BRAKE OR GO?
Brain Brakes Scenario Deck • Page 1
Print and cut along the dashed lines for 8 discussion cards! Group Activity
Card 5
The Big Effort
Scenario: Leo tried to throw the ball but missed. He worked really hard. You think: "Nice try, Leo! Let's throw again together!"
Talk About It:
- Is this true? Yes, he did try!
- Is it kind? Yes, it makes him feel good.
- Should we say this? YES! (GO)
PASSED THE GATES! GO!
Card 6
The Cool Toy
Scenario: Liam has the iPad and it's your turn. Liam is taking a little too long. You think: "Give me that! You are a greedy hog!"
Talk About It:
- Is Liam really a "hog"? No.
- Will calling him a name make him share?