Calming Stoplight Teacher Guide Teacher Resource
Calming Stoplight
A Visual Guide to Emotional Regulation for Early Learners
Grade Level Pre-K to 2nd Grade
Duration 30-40 Minutes
Focus Area Self-Regulation & SEL
Learning Objectives
Students will identify three emotional energy levels using stoplight colors.
Students will connect physical body clues (heart rate, breathing) to their feelings.
Students will select at least one calming strategy for high-energy states.
Materials Preparation
Stoplight Slide Deck (for projection)
Stoplight Coloring Worksheets (1 per child)
Red, Yellow, Green crayons/markers
Scissors & glue sticks for calming cards
Lesson Flow
1
The Hook: Traffic Lights (5 mins)
Ask students: "What does a street light tell cars to do?" Guide them to: Red = Stop, Yellow = Slow Down, Green = Go. Connect this to our minds and bodies: sometimes our feelings have different speeds too!
2
Introducing the Colors (15 mins)
Use the presentation to walk through the energy states. Act out each state together (e.g., jump for Red, wiggle slowly for Yellow, sit quietly and take a deep breath for Green).
3
Guided Sorting & Craft (15 mins)
Distribute the Stoplight Activity Sheet. Guide students to color their stoplights and sort the "calming tools" cards into the appropriate categories for school use.
Calming Corner Stoplight • Lesson Plan Page 1 of 2
Stoplight Energy Breakdown
How to explain and practice the three levels in your classroom
RED LIGHT: Stop & Rest
High Energy
What it feels like: Mad, very angry, out of control, wild, super excited, screaming, wanting to hit or kick.
Key Strategy: Stop completely. Walk away to a safe spot. Take 5 "starfish breaths" (tracing fingers) or push against a wall to release muscle tension.
YELLOW LIGHT: Slow Down
Medium Energy
What it feels like: Silly, wiggly, anxious, worried, frustrated, having a hard time listening, jittery.
Key Strategy: Reset the body. Do a slow wiggle, use a fidget tool, do 5 slow shoulder rolls, or write/draw your feelings.
GREEN LIGHT: Ready to Go
Focused Energy
What it feels like: Calm, happy, focused, ready to learn, helpful, listening, body is steady.
Key Strategy: Celebrate and maintain. Keep body relaxed, keep mind active, use encouraging words for self and others.
Teacher Facilitation Tips
Classroom Routines:
Use the Stoplight visuals during morning meeting. Have students quietly point to their level or place their name card next to the color on a pocket chart.
De-escalation Prompting:
When a child is escalated, avoid long lectures. Instead, ask: "What color is your body running right now?" then offer 2 options from that color's tool list.
Closing Circle Questions
"How does your heart feel when you are in a Red Light vs. a Green Light?"
"Which calming tool do you want to try first in our brand new Calming Corner?"
Calming Corner Stoplight • Lesson Plan Page 2 of 2
Calming Stoplight Slides Calming Corner
Meet the
Calming Stoplight
Let's learn how to look inside our bodies, discover our engine speed, and choose the perfect tools to help us learn and play!
Unit 1: Emotional Regulation Slide 1 of 5
Level 1 • High Energy STOP!
!
Red Light Energy
My body and mind feel like they are moving too fast . I might feel very angry, wild, or completely out of control.
How to Spot It:
Clenched fists • Fast breathing • Loud voice • Stomping
Your Red Light Plan
Walk to the Calming Corner.5 Deep Starfish Breaths before doing anything else.
Calming Corner Stoplight Slide 2 of 5
Level 2 • Medium Energy SLOW DOWN
?
Yellow Light Energy
My body and mind are feeling wiggly or worried . I might feel silly, nervous, or having trouble paying attention.
How to Spot It:
Squirms in chair • Chewing collars • Silly noises • Fidgety hands
Your Yellow Light Plan
Try a quiet Desk Stretch , press your hands together tightly, or play with a quiet classroom fidget tool.
Calming Corner Stoplight Slide 3 of 5
Level 3 • Focused Energy READY
✓
Green Light Energy
My body and mind are steady and calm . I feel happy, focused, and ready to learn with my friends.
How to Spot It:
Kind eyes • Listening ears • Still seat • Smiling face
Your Green Light Goal
This is our learning baseline! Our goal is to use Red and Yellow tools to help us get back to Green .
Calming Corner Stoplight Slide 4 of 5
Classroom Routine Our Safe Space
Using the Calming Corner
If you feel yourself running on Red or Yellow, you can quietly visit the classroom's Calming Corner to reset!
1. Pause
Check in with your engine speed. What color are you?
2. Choose
Pick a tool that matches your level (breathing, stretching, etc.)
3. Return
Once you feel your engine return to Green, rejoin the fun!
Calming Corner Stoplight Slide 5 of 5
My Stoplight Worksheet My Calming Stoplight
Color the stoplight and draw what you feel inside each circle!
Name:
Date:
Color Red STOP & BREATHE
Color Yellow SLOW DOWN
Color Green READY TO GO
When I am RED, I feel...
High Energy
Draw your Red Light feeling or face here!
When I am YELLOW, I feel...
Wiggly Energy
Draw your Yellow Light feeling or face here!
When I am GREEN, I feel...
Focused Energy
Draw your Green Light feeling or face here!
My favorite calming strategy to get back to GREEN is:
Calming Corner Stoplight • Student Worksheet Page 1 of 1
Calming Corner Strategy Cards Calming Corner Strategy Cards
Print, cut along the dotted lines, and laminate. Punch a hole in the corners to keep on a binder ring!
Classroom Kit
Red Light Tool
Starfish Breathing
Spread your hand out like a starfish. Trace your fingers slowly: breathe IN as you go up, and OUT as you go down!
Red Light Tool
The Power Wall Push
Put both hands flat on the wall. Push with all your muscle power for 10 seconds, then let your body drop loose and heavy.
Yellow Light Tool
Slow Body Stretch
Reach your hands up high to touch the clouds! Hold for 5 seconds. Now stretch left, now right, and wiggle out your fingers.
Yellow Light Tool
Draw My Feels
Take a sheet of paper and markers. Draw your energy as a squiggly line, a monster, a storm, or a big warm sunshine!
Yellow Light Tool
Squeeze & Release
Squeeze both hands into super tight fists, or squeeze a squishy toy. Count to 5, then relax them completely. Repeat 3 times!
Green Light Tool
Belly Balloon
Put your hand on your tummy. Breathe in slow and make your belly balloon grow big. Now slowly blow the air back out.
Green Light Tool
Kind Self-Talk
Whisper 3 happy things to yourself: "I am safe. I am kind. I can do hard things." Smile and take a big breath.
Green Light Tool
My Engine is Ready
Give yourself a gentle squeeze hug. Say: "My mind is calm, my body is steady, I am ready!" Now go ahead and learn.
Calming Corner Stoplight • Strategy Cards Page 1 of 1
