A comprehensive behavior support and emotional regulation system designed for TK and kindergarten after-school programs with 30 students and 3 educators. Includes team zone defense protocols, immediate response scripts for unsafe behaviors, visual regulation station tools, transition cue cards, and quick-incident observation logs.
Cut along dotted lines • Attach to lanyard or desk
I Need Space
"Please give me room. My body needs quiet right now."
Show to Friend or Teacher
I Need Help
"I don't know what to do. Teacher, please sit with me."
Show to Teacher
Ready to Play
"My heart is calm. I am ready to join center activities."
Show When Reset Done
Calm Crew Playbook • Regulation Station Tracing Sheets • Designed for non-readers & kinesthetic grounding
Never say "clean the whole room." Direct each student to find exactly 3 items and return them to the color-matched bin.
Audio Support: Play the same 90-second instrumental clean song daily.
Pre-Warning
5-Finger Silent Countdown
Hold 5 fingers high. Lower one finger every 30 seconds: "When my hand makes a fist, our blocks take a nap." Eliminates surprise tears.
Visual Aid: T2 models fingers directly in front of dysregulated children.
High-Engagement Call & Response Repertoire
Use rhythm, not volume
Classic Rhythm
Teacher:"Macaroni and Cheese!"
Students:"Everybody Freeze!"
Action: Freeze bodies like statues.
Focus Rhythm
Teacher:"Hocus Pocus!"
Students:"Everybody Focus!"
Action: Point visual magic goggles to staff.
Quiet Whisper
Teacher:"Flat tire..." (Pssss)
Students:"Shhhhh..." (Exhale)
Action: Deflate shoulders to the carpet.
Staff Alignment Rule: Never compete with children by yelling over noise. If 5 kids do not freeze, T2 steps physically next to them with quiet proximity rather than T1 shouting louder.
Constructive Family Pickup Script (No Public Shaming)
"Hi [Parent], [Child] worked really hard today! At 3:45, their energy felt really big during transition, and we practiced using the turtle hug and water break to reset. Tomorrow we’re going to give them a special snack helper job right at arrival."
Running, ball games, obstacle course, big muscle decompression. Strict triangle perimeter coverage to prevent elopement.
T3: Perimeter safety at yard gate
T1: Oversees play structure & balls
T2: Mediates yard conflicts/shadows
4:35 - 5:30 PM
Wind-Down & Home Exit
55 Min • Dismissed to Home
Cool-down water station, backpacks packed, audiobooks/carpet puzzles, and secure family pickup ending at 5:30 PM.
T3: Sign-out roster at main door
T1: Facilitates quiet carpet station
T2: Walks child to parent with praise
Staff Handshake Protocol:
Never initiate a cohort transition until all 3 educators make eye contact and give a "thumbs-up" signal.
Execution Playbooks
Milestone Operational Safeguards
Protocols for the 4 critical transition events
1. The 25-Minute TK Window (12:30 - 12:55 PM)
High Separation Vulnerability
TK students arrive fatigued after morning school. Having 25 minutes with all 3 staff before the older kindergarteners arrive is your greatest relational asset.
Cubby Decompression: T3 helps each child unload their backpack, remove shoes if needed, and drink 4 oz water.
Sensory Regulation: T1 offers tactile playdough or kinetic sand. No high-energy running allowed yet.
12:55 Pre-Warning: At 12:53, T2 says: "Our kinder friends are coming in 2 minutes! Let’s keep our calm bodies."
2. The Supper Stabilization Routine (2:30 - 3:15 PM)
Preventing Spills & Aggression
Hunger at 2:30 PM is the #1 cause of biting and hitting. The 45-minute supper window requires strict rhythmic phasing to prevent food-throwing and sensory chaos.
Phase A (2:30 - 2:40): Staggered handwashing (groups of 5). Kids sit at assigned color tables with nametags.
Phase B (2:40 - 3:05): Seated eating. "Bottoms on chairs, food stays on trays." Staff sit alongside children to model table manners.
Phase C (3:05 - 3:15): One table at a time buses trays to T3. T2 redirects early finishers to table book bins.
3. Outdoor Recess Yard Security (4:15 - 4:35 PM)
20-Minute High-Energy Arc
Recess is only 20 minutes! Brief outdoor bursts can cause intense friction if children feel rushed or lack boundary clarity.
Perimeter Triangle: T3 guards the main boundary gate (zero elopement). T1 watches structure. T2 walks the field.
Yard Rules: Slide feet first only. Wood chips stay on ground. If someone says "Stop", we freeze and listen.
4:33 Chime Recall: 2-minute double whistle. All 30 kids form the Caterpillar Train at the blacktop line before entry.
4. Safe Home Dismissal Protocol (Ending 5:30 PM)
One-Door Exit Security
As parents arrive between 4:35 and 5:30 PM, the classroom must maintain low sensory stimulation so children do not run toward the parking lot unsupervised.
Single Checkpoint: Only T3 verifies authorized pickup ID and collects signatures at the exterior doorway.
Carpet Anchor: T1 keeps remaining kids seated with read-alouds or building blocks. No wandering near doors.
The Positive Hand-Off: T2 walks the child to the door and shares 1 specific positive moment from the day with parents.
