Stoplight Feelings Teacher Guide Teacher Resource
Energy Stoplight Lesson Plan
Teaching Self-Regulation & Calming Choices • Early Years (Ages 4-7)
Duration
30-40 Mins
Grouping
Whole & Small
Focus
Self-Regulation
Learning Objectives
Students will identify and connect internal physical/emotional feelings to a color-coded stoplight metaphor.
Students will match at least two self-soothing or physical activities to red, yellow, and green states.
Students will demonstrate how to use the Calming Corner Stoplight when feeling overwhelmed.
Materials & Preparation
Supplies Provided
Energy Stoplight Poster
Stoplight Regulation Cards
My Cool Down Reflection Sheet
Stoplight Presentation Slides
Additional Supplies
Safety scissors & glue sticks
Crayons (Red, Yellow, Green)
Plush toys or sensory items
A quiet corner or designated mat
Calming Corner Setup Guide
Create a physical "Calming Corner" in your room to provide a sensory-safe space. This area teaches students that taking a break is positive, restorative, and supportive.
1
Hang the Poster
Mount the large Stoplight Poster at eye-level inside your designated Calming Corner.
2
Place Activity Cards
Cut out and laminate the Choice Cards. Attach velcro to the backs and on the poster's action zones.
3
Equip with Tools
Add physical items matching the cards, such as soft cushions, breathing charts, or squishy balls.
Unit: Emotional Regulation • Energy Stoplight Page 1 of 2
Instructional Flow
Lesson Script & Pacing
Facilitation Guide & Interactive Learning Steps
1. Hook & Introduction
10 Minutes
Gather students on the rug. Hold up a visual of a traffic stoplight (or slide 1). Ask, "What does a car do when it sees a red light? Yellow? Green?" Guide them to connect physical stoplights to the "inside energy levels" in our bodies.
Teacher Script: "Our bodies have engines, too! Sometimes our engines run very fast and hot (Red), sometimes they go a bit silly or worried (Yellow), and sometimes they are smooth and ready (Green)."
2. Interactive Stoplight Walkthrough
15 Minutes
Go through Slides 2, 3, and 4. Have students act out each zone with their bodies (e.g., jumping fast for Red, walking in slow-motion for Yellow, sitting tall with calm hands for Green). Introduce corresponding soothing activities for each state.
Action Prompts: "Let's squeeze our fists super tight like a red-light engine... and now let's take a deep breath to shift into our smooth, focused green-light engine!"
3. Stoplight Card Crafting & Practice
15 Minutes
Send students to tables. Have them complete the "My Cool Down Reflection Sheet" . Assist them in coloring, matching, or writing down their favorite calming tools. Transition students to tour the new Calming Corner in small groups.
Instructional Tips & Classroom Management
For Non-Verbal Students
Use the printable stoplight choice cards as standard communication boards. Allow them to point directly to the red, yellow, or green zones on their cards to share their emotional energy state without needing to explain aloud.
Active Integration
Make this a daily routine! Refer to the stoplight during transitions, morning meetings, or before tests: "Where is your engine right now? Who needs a quick yellow-light stretch or a red-light deep breath?"
Unit: Emotional Regulation • Energy Stoplight Page 2 of 2
Stoplight Energy Slides Self-Regulation Lesson
The Energy Stoplight
How does your body's engine feel today? Let's check our lights and discover our calm.
Welcome to the Calming Corner Slide 1 of 5
Zone 1: Red Light
High Energy!
Your engine is moving super fast . You might feel angry, super excited, wild, or frustrated. Your muscles might feel tight!
It's okay to feel this way! Red light means STOP and take a break.
Try these Red-Light Breaks:
5 Deep Balloon Breaths
Blow out your birthday candles slowly.
Squeeze Something Soft
Give a plushie or sponge a big, strong squeeze.
Stop. Breathe. Slow down your engine. Slide 2 of 5
Zone 2: Yellow Light
Wiggly & Silly!
Your engine is startng to speed up . You might feel wiggly, easily distracted, anxious, sillier than usual, or a little worried.
Yellow light means SLOW DOWN and check on your body.
Try these Yellow-Light Breaks:
Do the Wiggly Shake
Shake your hands, arms, and feet for 10 seconds.
Trace Your Fingers
Trace your hand, breathing in as you go up, out as you go down.
Slow. Focus. Take a gentle transition. Slide 3 of 5
Zone 3: Green Light
Ready to Learn!
Your engine is running smoothly . You feel happy, calm, comfortable, and focused. You are ready to listen and learn.
Green light means GO! You are ready to do your best work.
How to stay in Green Light:
Focus and Participate
Share your thoughts and keep a listening ear.
Be a Kind Classroom Friend
Help others and use a warm, pleasant voice.
Go. Learn. Grow. You've got this! Slide 4 of 5
Calming Corner Steps
1
Pause & Spot
Notice how your body feels. Are you running in the Red or Yellow ?
2
Pick an Action
Use the Choice Cards in the corner to choose your favorite balloon breath or squeeze toy!
3
Return to Green
When your engine feels calm and ready , you can safely return to work with a smile!
I can handle my big emotions! Slide 5 of 5
Stoplight Regulation Cards My Calming Stoplight
Check your engine! Where are you standing right now?
Red: Stop
Yellow: Slow
Green: Go
High Energy (RED)
Take a Break
Angry • Frustrated • Wild • Super Excited • Fast Breathing
Recommended Action: Balloon Breathing
Medium Energy (YELLOW)
Wiggle & Slow
Wiggly • Silly • Worried • Excited but Loud • Distracted
Recommended Action: Hand Tracing
Ready Energy (GREEN)
Ready to Go
Happy • Calm • Listening • Comfortable • Ready to Learn
Recommended Action: Reading & Listening
How to use this poster:
Stand before the stoplight. Point to where you are. Follow the recommended activity card on page 2 until your body feels relaxed and ready to point to green.
Calming Corner Anchor Charts • Poster Page 1 of 2
Stoplight Choice Cards
Cut out and place inside the Calming Corner box for kids to select.
Cut Along Dotted Lines
Red Light Tool
Balloon Breaths
Blow up a big balloon in your hands! Take a deep, slow breath, then blow it all out.
Repeat 5 Times
Red Light Tool
Plushie Squeeze
Find your favorite plush animal or squishy ball. Give them a warm, tight squeeze.
Squeeze and Release
Yellow Light Tool
Finger Tracing
Trace up and down each finger. Breathe in as you go up, and breathe out as you go down.
Slow and Steady
Yellow Light Tool
Wiggle Release
Stand up! Shake your hands, shake your legs, then freeze like an ice statue.
Shake for 10 Seconds
Green Light Tool
Doodle & Draw
Grab a piece of paper and your crayons. Draw how you feel, or doodle something happy!
Creative Expression
Green Light Tool
Quiet Reading
Sit comfortably on a rug or floor mat. Turn the pages of a favorite picture book.
5 Minutes of Focus
Calming Corner Anchor Charts • Printable Choice Cards Page 2 of 2
My Cool Down Worksheet My Cool Down Stoplight
Check in with your feelings and make a calm plan!
Name:
Date:
1. Color My Light!
Color the circle that shows how your body feels right now.
RED
YELLOW
GREEN
(Red = Fast, Yellow = Slow, Green = Ready)
2. How is my engine?
Circle or color the face that matches your feelings today.
😡
Red Light Engine
My engine is running fast. I am mad, silly, or wild.
🥺
Yellow Light Engine
My engine is a bit wiggly. I am sillier or worried.
😊
Green Light Engine
My engine is calm. I feel comfortable, safe, and happy.
3. My Calm-Down Plan
Circle **one** calming action you can do in the Calming Corner to shift your engine back to green:
Deep Breaths
Squeeze Toy
Doodle/Draw
Look at Book
4. Draw My Calm Space
Draw a picture of a place or thing that makes your heart feel peaceful and happy.
Use your favorite crayon colors here!
Student Self-Regulation Activity Sheet • Calming Corner Page 1 of 1