Stoplight Routine Plan Pre-K SEL • 30-Minute Guide
Fair Choice Stoplight Plan
Ages: 4–5 Years
Group: Whole & Small Group
Learning Objective
Students will apply a 3-step stoplight routine (Red = Stop , Yellow = Think , Green = Go ) to identify and execute fair, prosocial choices during peer interactions and center sharing.
Core Concept Vocabulary
Stop Think Go Fair Share Take Turns
The Kinesthetic Stoplight Routine
1 RED LIGHT
STOP Body & Voice
Freeze hands and feet. Take one deep belly breath like blowing out a candle.
Gesture: Open palm out
2 YELLOW LIGHT
THINK of Choices
Ask: "Is this fair for both friends?" (Ask to trade? Use a timer? Play together?)
Gesture: Finger to temple
3 GREEN LIGHT
GO with Fair Action
Use kind words to try the fair choice. Smile and enjoy learning together!
Gesture: Big thumbs up
30-Minute Instructional Arc
0-5 min
Warm-up Chant: "Stop, Think, Go!"
Introduce traffic stoplight metaphor. Teach the physical gestures and sing the call-and-response rhyme.
5-13 min
Interactive Slide Instruction (Stop Think Go Slides)
Walk through visual slides. Contrast "Grabbing/Pushing" (Red) vs. "Fair Choices" (Green: trade, timer, team up).
13-20 min
Puppet & Role-Play Scenarios (Scenario Stoplight Script)
Act out Scenario 1 (The Big Red Truck) and Scenario 2 (The Purple Playdough). Students call out "Red!", "Yellow!", "Green!".
20-27 min
Card Crafting & Lanyard Assembly (Coloring Stoplight Sheet)
Students color circles Red, Yellow, Green; teachers punch a hole and attach yarn lanyards to wear around the room.
27-30 min
Pledge & Classroom Center Transition
Students touch their green circle and recite: "I am a Fair Choice Helper!" Practice touching the stoplight when entering play centers.
Fair Choice Stoplight • Pre-K SEL Unit Page 1 of 2
Instructional Delivery & Pacing Supports
Teacher prompts, kinesthetic chants, and inclusive adaptations
Facilitator Playbook
Circle Time Stoplight Song (Tune: "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star")
🔴 Verse 1 (Stop)
"Red light, red light, what do you say?
I say STOP right in your play!"
Action: Freeze arms & breathe in
🟡 Verse 2 (Think)
"Yellow light, yellow light, what do you mean?
Think of choices nice and clean!"
Action: Tap finger gently on temple
🟢 Verse 3 (Go)
"Green light, green light, what do you do?
I share and play fair with you!"
Action: Thumbs up and high-five air
Inclusive Classroom Accommodations
Multilingual Learners
Pair gestures with home language terms (e.g., Alto/Para, Piensa, Adelante). Keep visual cue cards posted at every center.
Emotional Regulation
For students in acute distress, prioritize the "Red Light" breath before expecting verbal problem-solving. Allow a calm-down corner pass.
Fine Motor Support
Offer jumbo dot markers (bingo daubers) or pre-cut peel-and-stick color foam dots for students developing pencil grip.
How to Use the Lanyard Cards During Free Play
1. Spot the Standoff
When two children want the same toy, approach and say: "Hold up your stoplights! Let's hit RED first."
2. Guide to Green
Prompt: "Tap your yellow light. What are two fair ways to play? A sand timer or a trade?" They tap green when agreed!
Teacher Observation Checklist (SEL Formative Notes)
Observable Skill
Emerging
Consistent
Pauses body when hearing or seeing "Red Light / Stop" prompt
◯ Needs prompt
◯ Self-initiates
Identifies at least 1 fair alternative during "Yellow Light" (e.g., share, trade, wait)
◯ With teacher choices
◯ Generates idea
Acts on a peaceful solution ("Green Light") without grabbing or pushing
◯ Needs co-regulation
◯ Successful follow-through
Fair Choice Stoplight • Pre-K SEL Unit Page 2 of 2
Stop Think Go Slides Pre-K SEL • Making Fair Choices
Circle Time Activity
Fair Choice
Stoplight
When we play together, we use our stoplight:
STOP • THINK • GO!
🎯 Can you help our friends make a fair choice today?
Slide 1 of 6
1
Step One
RED LIGHT: STOP!
Freeze & Breathe
Freeze Your Body
Put your hands out flat like a stop sign! Do not grab, do not push, do not shout.
Take a Belly Breath
Smell the flower...
Now blow out the birthday candle!
1... 2... 3...
Class Practice: Hold up your hand and say "STOP!"
Slide 2 of 6
2
Step Two
YELLOW LIGHT: THINK!
What Can We Do?
🤔 Ask Yourself: "What is a FAIR choice for both of us?"
Use a Timer
"You play for 3 minutes, then it is my turn!"
Make a Trade
"Can I trade you the blue car for the green truck?"
Play Together
"Let's build one big castle together!"
Class Practice: Tap your finger gently on your temple and say "THINK!"
Slide 3 of 6
3
Step Three
GREEN LIGHT: GO!
Play Fair & Kind
Use Kind Words
Say: "Thank you for sharing with me!"
Give a warm smile or a happy thumbs up.
Both Friends Feel Happy!
Fair choices mean nobody feels left out. Everyone gets a turn to play and learn.
Class Practice: Give two big thumbs up and say "GO FAIR!"
Slide 4 of 6
Spot The Fair Choice
What should Maya & Leo do?
Blocks Center Scenario
Choice A
Grab the tall tower block right out of Leo's hand!
🛑 RED LIGHT! Not fair, hurts feelings!
Choice B
Say: "Can we put this big block on the top together?"
🟢 GREEN LIGHT! Fair choice, everyone wins!
👉 Point to the screen: Which choice is Green Light Fair? Choice A or Choice B?
Slide 5 of 6
Stoplight Heroes
We Make Fair Choices!
Our Classroom Pledge
Put your hand on your heart and repeat after your teacher:
"When I feel upset, I STOP!"
"When I need a toy, I THINK!"
"When I make a fair choice, I GO!"
Next up: Color your own Stoplight Card to wear on your lanyard! 🎨
Fair Choice Champions Ready to Play!
Slide 6 of 6
Scenario Stoplight Script Interactive Role-Play • Pre-K Guide
Scenario Stoplight Script
Duration: 7–10 Minutes
Format: Puppet or Student Helper
How to Run the "Freeze-Frame" Role-Play
Act out the conflict with exaggerated emotion. Before anyone grabs or yells, pause in slow motion and prompt the class: "Uh-oh! Friends, what light do we need right now?" Students chant "RED LIGHT! STOP!" and show palm signals.
1
Scenario 1: The Big Fire Truck (Block Center)
Topic: One Toy, Two Friends
Setup: Teacher holds Puppet Leo driving: "Wee-woo! Putting out fires!" Maya reaches to yank the ladder.
RED LIGHT MOMENT (Teacher Script):
"FREEZE! Leo feels mad because Maya reached. Maya wants the truck. Class, show your red hands! What do Leo and Maya do first?"
➜ Class cue: Hands up, one belly breath together: "Ssssshh... calm bodies."
YELLOW LIGHT THINKING (Teacher Script):
"Tap your temples! What are fair choices? Can Maya grab? (No!) What is fair?"
Option A: Sand Timer (Leo plays 2 min, then Maya)
Option B: Team Up (Leo drives truck, Maya builds firehouse)
GREEN LIGHT ACTION:
Maya says: "Leo, can I build the road for your truck?" Leo smiles: "Yes! Let's drive it together!" Thumbs up!
2
Scenario 2: The Purple Marker (Art Table)
Topic: Turn-Taking & Trading
Setup: Sam is coloring a butterfly. Chloe wants purple right now and starts frowning with clenched fists.
RED LIGHT MOMENT:
Teacher: "Stop! Look at Chloe's fists. What does Chloe do? Freeze hands and blow out the birthday candle!"
YELLOW LIGHT THINKING:
Teacher: "Yellow light! Think, Chloe! What words can Chloe use? Who has a fair idea?"
➜ Child idea: "Trade the pink marker?" OR "Ask: 'May I have purple when you are finished?'"
GREEN LIGHT ACTION:
Chloe asks kindly: "Sam, when you're done with purple, may I please use it?" Sam: "Sure, almost done!"
Fair Choice Stoplight • Pre-K SEL Unit Page 1 of 2
Additional Scenarios & Center Pocket Prompts
Gross motor, rug sharing, and rapid in-the-moment teacher coaching
Scenarios 3 & 4
3
Scenario 3: The Red Tricycle (Outdoor / Motor Play)
Topic: Waiting & Sand Timers
Setup: Liam is riding around the track. Noah is waiting by the cone stamping his feet: "My turn! Get off!"
🔴 Red: Stop
Noah steps back to the grass line. Takes a deep breath instead of grabbing handlebars.
🟡 Yellow: Think
Noah uses the 2-minute sand timer or counts 3 laps around the orange cone.
🟢 Green: Go
Liam stops at the cone, high-fives Noah, and swaps bikes happily. Fair ride for all!
4
Scenario 4: The Favorite Spot on the Rug
Topic: Body Space & Kindness
Setup: Zara sits on the star carpet square. Mateo wants that square and starts crowding in.
🔴 Red: Stop
Mateo stops pushing his body in. Checks his personal bubble space.
🟡 Yellow: Think
Mateo thinks: "Can I sit right next to Zara on the circle square?"
🟢 Green: Go
Mateo sits on the circle next to Zara. Zara: "Thanks for being my rug neighbor!"
Teacher & Assistant Pocket Coaching Cards (Cut & Clip to Lanyard)
Quick Reference
10-Second Stoplight Cue Card 1
1. "Hit the Red Light:"
"Freeze bodies! Take one breath like blowing out a candle."
2. "Tap Yellow:"
"What are two fair choices? Timer or trade?"
3. "Green Light Go:"
"Show me your fair choice! You did it!"
Fair Choice Sentence Starters Card 2
🗣️ "May I have a turn when you finish?"
⏳ "Let's turn the sand timer together."
🔄 "Would you like to trade for this one?"
🤝 "Can we play together with both?"
Praise: "You made a Green Light choice!"
Fair Choice Stoplight • Pre-K SEL Unit Page 2 of 2
Coloring Stoplight Sheet Pre-K Activity Sheet Color • Cut • Wear on Lanyard
My Fair Choice Stoplight
Name:
Date:
Color Step-by-Step:
1. Top = RED 2. Middle = YELLOW 3. Bottom = GREEN
Cut on dashed line
⭕
Punch Hole For Yarn
STOP Color Red
THINK Color Yellow
GO Color Green
🌟 CLASSROOM LANYARD
I make fair choices at school!
Cut on dashed line
⭕
Punch Hole or Tape
BREATHE Color Red
SHARE Color Yellow
PLAY Color Green
🏠 TAKE-HOME STOPLIGHT
Post on the fridge for home play!
My Stoplight Promise: "I stop my hands, I think of fair ways, and I share with my friends!"
Student Star: ★★★★★
Fair Choice Stoplight • Pre-K Hands-On Activity Print on 65lb or 110lb Cardstock for best durability