Kind Hands Facilitator Guide Small-Group Counseling Guide • 20 Minutes
Kind Hands Facilitator Guide
Topic: Self-Regulation & Boundaries
Target: Grades 1–4 • Group Size: 3–6
Body Bubble
Students identify physical boundaries (arm’s length) to keep hands and feet to self.
The 3-Second Brake
Students practice the "Stop – Breathe – Choose" impulse check before reacting.
Friend Builders
Students differentiate safe, friendly behaviors from accidental or disruptive impulses.
Materials: Pause Power Activity Sheets (1/student) • Tabletop Visual Cue Cards • Pencils/Crayons
Lesson Pacing & Counselor Scripts
00:00 – 03:00 (3 Min) Warm-Up: The "Body Bubble" Check-In
Action: Have students sit in a circle. Ask each child to hold their arms out wide and spin gently without touching anyone.
"Welcome team! Today we are building our superpower shields. Put your hands out wide like this—that invisible circle around you is your Body Bubble. When we keep our hands inside our own bubble, our friends feel safe, comfortable, and happy."
03:00 – 08:00 (5 Min) Skill Lesson: The 3-Second "Brain Brake"
Action: Introduce the concept of an impulse (a lightning-fast urge to touch, grab, poke, or snatch).
Red Light (Stop): Freeze hands in lap or deep pockets before acting.Yellow Light (Breathe): Take one big "dragon breath" in through the nose, out through the mouth.Green Light (Choose): Ask: "Will touching this build a friend or break trust?"
08:00 – 09:30 (1.5 Min) Transition to Focused Activity
Distribute the Pause Power Activity Sheet . Position the Kind Hands Visual Cards at the center of the table as anchor references.
Kind Hands Counseling Plan • Session 1 Page 1 of 2
Focused Activity & Closing Routine
Minutes 09:30 – 20:00
09:30 – 16:00 (6.5 Min) The "Pause & Pivot" Roleplay Challenge
Guide students through the 3 scenarios on their activity sheet. Use the counselor scripts below to act out each impulse, then prompt a student to call out "BRAKE!" and demonstrate the respectful replacement behavior.
Scenario A (Line Pushing): Someone steps close to you in the hallway line. The impulse is to shove back.
→ Counselor Script: "Step back half a foot, cross arms like a shield, and use an 'I-message': 'Please give my bubble some space.'"
Scenario B (Toy / Marker Snatch): A friend is holding the neon green marker you really want right now.
→ Counselor Script: "Clasp your fingers together, count 1-2-3 in your head, and say: 'Can I use that when you finish?'"
Scenario C (Playful Roughhousing): You feel excited at recess and want to tackle or tap someone on the head.
→ Counselor Script: "Give a high five only if they put their hand up, or offer a wave/fist bump instead."
16:00 – 20:00 (4 Min) Closing Reflection & Friendship Pledge
Students write or draw on Part 3 of their activity sheet: their chosen "Safe Hands Superpower" and complete the group friendship circle pledge.
"Before we head back to class, each person shares: 'One place I will use my brain brake today is ____.' When we keep hands safe, our classroom is a place where everybody belongs."
Counselor Quick-Check Tracking
Student Name
Body Bubble Space
Identified 'Brake'
Friendship Skill
Follow-Up Note
1.
□ Consistently □ Prompts
□ Yes □ Emerging
□ Positive □ Needs roleplay
2.
□ Consistently □ Prompts
□ Yes □ Emerging
□ Positive □ Needs roleplay
3.
□ Consistently □ Prompts
□ Yes □ Emerging
□ Positive □ Needs roleplay
4.
□ Consistently □ Prompts
□ Yes □ Emerging
□ Positive □ Needs roleplay
Classroom Transfer: Send student pledge or verbal cue card to homeroom teacher for reinforcement. Page 2 of 2
Pause Power Activity Sheet Small Group Counseling • Activity & Reflection
Pause Power Activity Sheet
Name:
Date:
Part 1: Check Your Body Bubble
Your body bubble is an arm's length of space all around you. Where is it easiest to forget your bubble? Check all that apply:
Walking in Line
Carpet / Circle Time
Recess & Games
Part 2: The Pause & Pivot Challenge
Read each scenario. Choose the best "Brain Brake" action to protect bubbles and be a great friend.
1. In the hallway, a classmate accidentally bumps your shoulder from behind.
Push them back so they know not to bump you.
Take a breath, step forward, and calmly say, "Please watch your step."
2. You really want to use the blue marker, but someone else is currently using it.
Pause your hands in your lap and ask, "May I use that when you're done?"
Quickly reach over and grab it while they are looking away.
3. You are excited to see your friend at recess and feel like tackling or grabbing them.
Jump on their back to surprise them playfully.
Wave, smile, and offer a high-five or say, "Want to play tag?"
Part 3: My Kind Hands Pledge & Reflection
When I feel a fast impulse to touch or react, my go-to "Brain Brake" trick is:
One specific way I will show I am a safe, caring friend today:
My Friendship Signature:
Kind Hands Counseling Series Remember: Safe hands make trusted friends!
Kind Hands Visual Cards Counseling Group Anchors • Tabletop Visuals
Kind Hands Visual Cards
Use as an anchor chart on the counseling table or cut along dashed lines for individual student reminder cards.
Card 1 Brain Brake
The Impulse Stoplight
When you feel the urge to grab, push, or touch without thinking:
1
RED = STOP
Freeze hands in lap or tuck in pockets.
2
YELLOW = BREATHE
Take 1 deep breath. Count 1-2-3.
3
GREEN = CHOOSE
Use words, ask permission, or walk away.
Kind Hands • Rule 1
Card 2 Personal Space
My Body Bubble
Everyone has an invisible bubble. Respecting it makes everyone feel safe.
One Arm's Length Away
Reach your arm out. If you can touch them, you are inside their bubble!
Bubble Guard Rules:
✓ Keep feet quiet during carpet time
✓ Leave a safe gap in hallway lines
✓ No tackling or grabbing during games
Kind Hands • Rule 2
Card 3 Actions
What Kind Hands Do
Hands are tools to help, build, and create—never to hurt or control others.
Safe Friendship Hands:
• High-five (when invited) • Wave hello
• Helping pick up dropped items • Sharing
Hands That Break Trust:
• Grabbing markers without asking
• Pushing in line or poking to get attention
Kind Hands • Rule 3
Card 4 Communication
Words Before Hands
When you feel excited, frustrated, or curious, let your words do the talking.
When you want something:
"May I have a turn when you finish?"
When your bubble is crowded:
"Please step back, I need some space."
When you want to play:
"Do you want to play four-square together?"
Kind Hands • Rule 4
Kind Hands Counseling Series Prompt Phrase: "Stop, Breathe, Choose!"
