Gentle Hands Lesson Plan Gentle Hands Lesson Plan
Creating a Safe and Respectful Classroom
30 Minutes
OBJECTIVE
Students will understand the importance of keeping their hands to themselves and learn appropriate, gentle ways to interact with others.
AUDIENCE
Kindergarten Students (Tier 1 Support)
Why It Matters
Learning to keep hands to oneself is crucial for creating a safe, respectful, and positive classroom environment. It helps students understand personal space, respect boundaries, and prevent accidental harm or discomfort to peers.
Preparation
Review the Gentle Hands Slides .
Print and cut out the Gentle Hands Activity Cards .
Prepare thumbs up/down signs (or use actual thumbs).
Instructional Sequence
5m
Warm Up
What Do Our Hands Do?
Begin by asking students what their hands are for (drawing, eating, playing). Introduce the idea that hands are amazing tools but need to stay in our own space.
Use the Hand Power Warmup sheet to guide this opening discussion.
5m
Intro
Why Keep Hands to Ourselves?
Use the slide deck to introduce Personal Space (the "Invisible Bubble"). Discuss how it feels when someone touches us without asking.
Emphasize respect and safety as the primary reasons for the rule.
10m
Activity
Gentle Hands Scenario Cards
Present cards one at a time. Ask students to vote (thumbs up/down) if the action shows "gentle hands."
Facilitate brief discussions on how to solve the "tough" cards (like someone knocking over a tower).
5m
Practice
Role-Play: Asking Permission
Role-play asking: "May I have a turn?" or "Can I give you a high-five?"
Practice saying "Stop" or "No, thank you" if a boundary is crossed.
5m
Review
Choice Check Activity
Rapid-fire review with various actions. Use the Choice Check Activity guide for final examples.
Main Idea: Hands are for gentle things, and we always ask first!
Gentle Hands Slides Hands Are Not For Hitting
Learning About Gentle Hands
Hands Are Amazing!
What do you use your hands for?
Drawing & Creating
Playing with Toys
Eating Yummy Food
Helping our Friends
🖐️✨
Teacher Note: Ask students to share their favorite thing to do with their hands!
Gentle Hands Only
Hands are for...
Gentle Things!
They are NOT for:
Pushing
Hitting
Kicking
Grabbing
Why is this rule important?
My Personal Bubble
Everyone has an invisible bubble around them.
It's called PERSONAL SPACE!
We need to respect each other's bubbles to help everyone feel safe and comfortable.
👤
Teacher Note: Use gestures to show an invisible bubble around your body.
Safe & Happy Friends
When we keep our hands to ourselves, we:
Keep our friends safe from getting hurt.
Show respect for our friends' feelings.
Help everyone feel happy and comfortable!
Ask Before You Touch!
Before you touch a friend or their things...
ASK!
"May I give you a high-five?"
"Can I have a turn with your toy?"
Happy Hearts!
Remember:
Gentle hands only!
Respect personal space.
Always ask before you touch.
Let's practice making good choices!
🖐️ ❤️ 😊
Thumbs Up,
Thumbs Down!
I will say an action. Show me what you learned!
GOOD CHOICE!
NOT GENTLE!
Hand Power Warmup Hand Power Warmup
What Do Our Hands Do?
🖐️
My Hands!
Welcome, everyone! Let's start by thinking about our hands. They are so amazing and can do so many things!
Think & Share:
What are some things you like to do with your hands?
Think & Share:
What are some ways your hands help you at school?
My Favorite Hand Power!
Draw one of your favorite things to do with your hands (like drawing, building, or waving!)
Name: __________________________ Date: ______________
Gentle Hands Activity Cards Gentle Hands Activity Cards
Cut these out to discuss with your class!
Scenario 1
Your friend has a toy you really want to play with. You walk over and grab it from their hands.
Discuss:
Is this keeping hands to ourselves? Why or why not?
Scenario 2
Your friend is sitting next to you during circle time. You gently tap them on the shoulder to ask a question.
Discuss:
Is this keeping hands to ourselves? Why or why not?
Scenario 3
You are running on the playground and accidentally bump into a friend. You immediately say "Sorry!"
Discuss:
Is this keeping hands to ourselves? Why or why not?
Scenario 4
A friend makes you laugh! You give them a big hug after asking, "Can I give you a hug?"
Discuss:
Is this keeping hands to ourselves? Why or why not?
Scenario 5
Someone accidentally knocks over your block tower. You get mad and push them.
Discuss:
Is this keeping hands to ourselves? Why or why not?
Scenario 6
Your friend is talking, and you want them to stop. You put your hand over their mouth.
Discuss:
Is this keeping hands to ourselves? Why or why not?
Cut along the dashed lines for individual cards
Choice Check Activity Choice Check
Gentle Hands Challenge
Name: ________________
Look at each choice. Circle the Thumbs Up for gentle hands or the Thumbs Down for not gentle!
1
Giving a friend a high-five after asking.
👍
👎
2
Pushing a friend because they took your crayon.
👍
👎
3
Gently tapping a friend on the shoulder.
👍
👎
4
Grabbing a toy without asking first.
👍
👎
5
Holding a friend's hand after they said OK.
👍
👎
6
Bumping into someone and saying "Sorry!"
👍
👎
7
Putting your arm around a friend without asking.
👍
👎
8
Keeping hands in your lap during circle time.
👍
👎
My Hands Are Amazing!
I can use my hands for gentle things every day!