Pause Power Social Narrative Social Narrative Guide
I Have Pause Power!
Name:
Date:
Every day, exciting and surprising things happen around me. Sometimes, my brain feels like a fast race car that wants to zoom! But inside me, I have a special superpower: My Pause Button .
Clues That My Brain Needs a Pause
Hot Cheeks
My face feels warm or my fists are tight.
Fast Words
I want to shout out or interrupt right now.
Zooming Body
My hands or feet want to grab or push.
My 3 Steps to Stop and Think
1
STOP: Freeze My Hands & Feet
Freeze & Count 3
I press my invisible pause button. I keep my hands down and take a slow breath through my nose.
2
LOOK: Read the Room & People
Look at Faces
I check eyes, mouths, and body language. Are others talking, working, or feeling surprised?
3
CHOOSE: Pick a Helpful Action
Safe Choice
I choose what to do next. I can raise my hand, ask with calm words, or ask a teacher for help.
Pausing keeps me safe and helps my friends feel calm and happy around me!
Page 1 of 2
Putting It Together
Pause Power in Everyday Situations
Practice Scenarios
Situation 1
During Rug Time / Teacher Talking
Fast Impulse: Shout out the answer right away because I know it!
My Pause Power:
I close my lips, raise my hand high, and wait for the teacher to call my name.
Situation 2
Someone Knocks My Blocks Down
Fast Impulse: Yell loudly, kick the blocks, or push them.
My Pause Power:
I freeze my hands, take a deep belly breath, and say: "That makes me sad. Please be careful."
Situation 3
Wanting a Toy Someone Else Has
Fast Impulse: Snatch the toy out of their hands immediately.
My Pause Power:
I pause, look at their focused face, and ask: "Can I have a turn in 2 minutes?"
Situation 4
Surprise Change in Schedule
Fast Impulse: Refuse to move, drop to the floor, or cry loudly.
My Pause Power:
I trace 5 fingers for calm breathing and look at the new visual schedule card.
How My Pause Button Helps Everyone
When I React Fast without Pausing:
Friends may feel scared, startled, or sad. The classroom feels noisy and confusing.
When I Press My Pause Button:
Friends feel safe and happy playing with me. Teachers are proud of my calm choices!
My Pause Power Promise
"I can stop my body, think about others, and choose calm actions."
Signed by
Stop and Think Visual Cards Print & Cut Resource
Desktop Visual Strips & Calming Mat
Cut along dashed lines & laminate for daily use
Tape the desktop strip to the student's work space. Practice the 3 steps during calm moments first.
Desktop Strip A: Stop • Look • Choose
1. STOP Freeze Hands & Feet
2. LOOK Check Faces & Room
3. CHOOSE Calm Safe Action
Desktop Strip B: Tap & Breathe Regulation Touchpoints
Tap 1
Breathe In Smell flower
Tap 2
Hold 2 Sec Freeze body
Tap 3
Breathe Out Blow candle
5-Finger Star Sensory Breathing Guide
Trace with your finger
1 Spread 5 fingers wide on the desk.
2 Trace UP finger: Breathe IN.
3 Pause at finger TIP: Hold.
4 Trace DOWN finger: Breathe OUT.
Thumb Pointer Middle Ring Pinky
5 Slow Breaths Complete!
"My body is calm. My brain is in control."
Pause Power Visual Toolkit Page 1 of 2
Portable Prompt Cards
Pocket & Lanyard Cue Cards
Cut 4 cards • Hole punch corner for ring/lanyard
1 Pause Button
FREEZE BODY
Hands down in lap • Feet flat on floor • Mouth closed
"I stop before I act."
2 Look & Check
Eyes: Look at teacher/friend
Voice: Is someone talking?
Room: What is expected now?
"I notice what is happening."
3 Calm Actions
🤲 Tight squeeze hands
🫁 3 belly breaths
💧 Sip cold water
🧘 Desk push-ups
"I calm my body first."
4 Words to Use
💬 "Can I have a turn next?"
💬 "I need a 2-minute break."
💬 "Please stop, I don't like that."
"I use kind, clear words."
Coaching Tip: Point silently to the card during transitions or elevated moments rather than repeating verbal commands.
Page 2 of 2
Pause Power Task Cards Role-Play & Discussion
Pause Power Scenario Cards
Name:
Read each card, identify how people feel, and practice your Stop • Look • Choose strategy!
Cards 1 - 4
Card 1 Hallway Line
Someone cuts in front of you in line.
You were waiting patiently for lunch, and a classmate steps right in front of you without asking.
Pause & Choose:
Push them out of the way immediately.
Freeze hands, take a breath, and say: "The line starts back there."
Scream loudly so everyone looks at them.
Card 2 Game Time
You lose a board game with friends.
Your friend rolls the dice and wins the game. You feel a tight, angry squeeze in your chest.
Pause & Choose:
Flip the game board and throw the pieces.
Squeeze your fists in your lap, exhale, and say: "Good game!"
Tell the winner that they cheated.
Card 3 Class Discussion
You know the answer right away!
The teacher asks a question. Another student starts answering slowly, but you know the whole answer.
Pause & Choose:
Interrupt loudly to show you know it faster.
Press pause button, keep lips closed, and raise hand quietly.
Make noises so the teacher stops listening to them.
Card 4 Accidents
Someone accidentally bumps your chair.
A classmate walking to the pencil sharpener trips slightly and bumps your desk, shaking your paper.
Pause & Choose:
Kick their chair back to get revenge.
Look at their face to see if it was an accident, and stay calm.
Rip your paper in anger.
Pause Power Scenario Practice Page 1 of 2
Role-Play & Discussion
Pause Power Scenario Cards
Cards 5 - 8
Card 5 Tech Trouble
Tablet battery dies during game.
You are in the middle of your favorite math game and the screen goes black unexpectedly.
Pause & Choose:
Throw the tablet onto the desk in anger.
Take 3 star breaths and ask teacher politely for a charger.
Cry and refuse to do any other classroom activities.
Card 6 Transitions
Time to clean up before finishing.
The cleanup chime rings, but your drawing is only halfway done. You want to keep working.
Hide under the table and refuse to line up.
Put paper in "Work in Progress" folder and ask to finish later.
Pause and Choose Sorting Worksheet Social Clue Detective
Reading Feelings & Body Clues
Name:
Date:
1
Match the Social Clues to How Friends Feel
Smiling mouth, relaxed shoulders, open hands
Eyebrows down, tight jaw, clenched fists
Covering ears, looking down, tense body
Eyes wide, hands up, leaning backward
Word Bank: Happy & Safe Mad / Frustrated Overwhelmed Surprised
2
My Body Warning Signs (Check all that happen to you)
Heart beats fast
Hands feel like fists
Face feels hot
Wanting to yell
Teeth clenching
Feet wanting to kick
3
My Favorite Replacement Action
When my body tells me to react fast, what is one calm action I will do first? (Write or draw)
Pause Power Worksheet Page 1 of 2
Hands-On Activity
Pause & Choose Sorting Mat
Cut strips at the bottom & paste into the correct box
Fast Impulse Reactions
Hurts feelings • Keeps big feelings big
Glue Strip Here
Glue Strip Here
Glue Strip Here
Pause Power Choices
Keeps us safe • Helps brain calm down
Glue Strip Here
Glue Strip Here
Glue Strip Here
Cut out the 6 action strips below: Cut & Glue
✋ Raise my hand and wait quietly for my turn to speak.
💥 Shout loudly over the teacher when I know the answer.
🫁 Take 3 slow star breaths when feeling surprised or mad.
😡 Push a classmate's desk because they bumped into me.
💬 Ask: "Can I please have a turn when you are done?"
🏃 Grab the toy right out of my friend's hands and run away.
Pause Power Sorting Activity Page 2 of 2