My Safe Circle Lesson Plan My Safe Circle
Lesson Plan
Tier 3 Intervention
15 Minutes • Kindergarten (ASD)
Why This Lesson?
Understanding personal space and identifying safe adults is crucial for a child's safety and well-being. This lesson will equip the student with essential tools to navigate social interactions confidently and recognize potential risks, fostering independence and self-protection.
Objective
The student will learn to identify appropriate physical boundaries with peers and adults, distinguish between safe and unsafe adults, and practice safe interaction strategies.
Teacher Prep
Review the My Safe Circle Slide Deck .
Print and cut out visuals for the Safe Hands, Safe Space Activity .
Review the Who's in My Circle Discussion Guide .
Ensure a quiet, comfortable space for individual instruction.
Gather two hula hoops or tape for the activity.
Materials Needed
My Safe Circle Slide Deck
Safe Hands, Safe Space Activity
Who's in My Circle Discussion Guide
Approach
Individual direct instruction using visual aids, guided discussion, and interactive physical activities to ground abstract concepts in concrete experience.
Instructional Steps
Min 1
Warm-Up: Greeting and Check-in
Greet the student warmly and ask how they are feeling today. Briefly review the objective: "Today, we're going to learn about being safe with our bodies and knowing who to talk to!"
Min 3
Introduction to Personal Space
Use the first few slides of the Slide Deck to introduce "invisible bubbles." Demonstrate the "arm's length" rule. Ask: "What does personal space mean to you?"
Min 5
Activity: Safe Hands, Safe Space
Lead the Safe Hands, Safe Space Activity . Guide the student through identifying appropriate vs. inappropriate touch using visuals. Provide high-frequency positive reinforcement for correct identification.
Min 4
Discussion: Who's in My Circle?
Transition to the Discussion Guide . Talk about safe adults (family, teachers) vs. strangers. Emphasize that safe adults help them feel safe and trustworthy. Use Slide Deck visuals for support.
Min 2
Wrap-Up: Review and Reinforce
Quickly review key concepts: personal space and safe adults. Ask: "What did you learn today about keeping your body safe?" End with a positive affirmation.
My Safe Circle Slide Deck My Safe Circle: Keeping Me Safe!
Today we learn about keeping our bodies safe and knowing who to talk to! 👋😊
🧒
Teacher Note: Welcome the student warmly.
My Invisible Bubble
Everyone has an invisible bubble around them. This is our personal space!
We need to respect our own bubble and other people's bubbles.
The Rule: Arm's Length!
Reach your arms out. That's your bubble space!
🧒
👧
Stay one arm apart!
Teacher: Demonstrate "arm's length" rule. Ask student to show their bubble.
Respecting Bubbles
How do we respect bubbles?
Ask first! "Can I have a hug?" or "Is it okay if I sit close?"
Look for clues! Do they step back? Do they look uncomfortable?
Use words! "Please don't stand so close," or "I need more room."
YES
Wave hello or high-five!
NO
Pulling arms or hugging tight without asking.
Safe vs. Unsafe Touch
🤗
Safe Touch
Makes us feel good, happy, and comfortable!
High-five
Hug from Mom or Dad
Pat on the shoulder
🚫
Unsafe Touch
Makes us feel uncomfortable, scared, or icky.
Hitting or pushing
Touching private parts
Touching that feels "icky"
Teacher: Use clear, non-alarming language. Stress that safe touch makes you feel happy.
Who Are My Safe Adults?
Safe adults are people who:
Care for you and keep you safe.
Listen to you when you talk.
Help you when you need it.
👪
Parents
🏫
Teachers
👵
Grandparents
👮
Helpers
Who is an Unsafe Adult?
Unsafe adults are people who might:
Ask you to keep a "bad secret."
Make you feel uncomfortable.
Ask you to go somewhere alone.
It's okay to say "NO!"
And tell a safe adult right away!
?
Unsafe doesn't mean scary looking.
It means acting unsafe.
Who is in My Circle Discussion Guide Who's in My Circle?
Teacher Discussion & Assessment Guide
Teacher Instructions
Use these prompts to facilitate a conversation with the student. Encourage the student to explain their reasoning. If the student is non-verbal or has limited speech, allow them to point to visuals from the Slide Deck or use a communication device.
1
My Personal Space Bubble
1. Look at the bubble picture. Can you show me with your arms how big your invisible bubble is?
Teacher Notes: Observation of physical movement...
2. Why is it important for everyone to have their own invisible bubble?
Student Response...
3. What if someone gets too close to your bubble and you don't like it? What can you do or say?
Possible answers: "Step back", "Stop", tell a teacher...
4. Is it okay if your mommy or daddy gives you a hug that comes into your bubble? Why or why not?
Focus on trusted relationships and consent...
2
My Safe Circle of Adults
1. Who are some of your safe adults? What makes them safe?
(Encourage specific names like Mom, Dad, Teacher Mrs. Smith)
Notes...
2. Imagine you are lost in a store. Who is a safe adult you could go to for help? How would you know they are safe?
(Discuss uniforms, name tags, store employees)
Notes...
3. If a grown-up you don't know tries to give you candy and tells you to keep it a secret, how does that make your tummy feel? What should you do?
Notes...
4. If someone tells you a secret that makes you feel scared, what is the most important thing to do?
Emphasize telling a safe adult, even if told not to...
3
What if I need help?
1. Who do you go to if you feel scared or worried?
Notes...
2. Remember, your feelings are important! If something feels wrong, what should you always do?
Correct answer: Tell a safe adult immediately.
Safe Hands, Safe Space Activity Safe Hands, Safe Space
Interactive Kinesthetic Activity
Audience: Kindergarten (ASD)
Objective: Personal Space & Touch ID
Materials
Printed Scenario Cards (provided)
Two Hula Hoops (or tape circles)
Labels: "Safe Space" & "Unsafe Space"
Teacher Tip
For students with ASD, use concrete physical barriers (like the hoops) to make abstract social concepts visible. If they are sensitive to touch, use a doll for demonstrations.
1 Part 1: The Bubble Drill
Review the "Invisible Bubble." Have the student stand and extend their arms.
Step outside: Approach the student but stop outside their reach. Ask: "Does this feel safe?"
Step inside: Step slightly into their reach. Ask: "How does this feel? Is it too close?"
The Script: Practice saying, "Please step back" or using a hand as a visual stop sign.
2 Part 2: Scenario Sorting
Place the two hula hoops on the floor. Labeled: SAFE CIRCLE and UNSAFE CIRCLE.
Show a scenario card. Describe it clearly.
Ask: "Safe or Unsafe?" or "Happy Body or Uh-Oh Body?"
Student places the card in the corresponding hoop.
Discuss WHY: "Why is a high-five safe?" "Why is pushing unsafe?"
Scenario Practice Cards
Teacher: Cut along the dotted lines.
👪
Mom or Dad giving you a big hug.
🖐️
A friend giving you a high-five.
😠
A stranger trying to hold your hand.
💥
A kid pushing you on the playground.
🏫
Teacher patting you on the shoulder.
🤐
An adult asking you to keep a bad secret.