Dance Routine Teacher Guide Pre-K SEL & Movement Lesson Plan
Stop Think Act Dance
Total Duration 30 Minutes
Learning Objective
Students sequence the steps of responsible decision-making (Stop, Think, Act ) through whole-body creative dance.
Core Concepts
Motor inhibition (freeze), cognitive pause (reflection), prosocial choice (kind action), sequence memory.
Setup & Materials
Open carpet circle, rhythm drum/tambourine, Dance Move Slides, Freeze Cue Cards, upbeat children's music.
30-Minute Instructional Arc
01. Warm-Up
5 Mins • Freeze Game
02. Teach Moves
7 Mins • 3 Body Moves
03. Rehearsal
8 Mins • Music Practice
04. Showtime
6 Mins • Small Groups
05. Cool-Down
4 Mins • Breath & Talk
1
Freeze Dance Warm-Up (0–5 min)
Goal: Motor Control & Body Listening
Gather learners at the perimeter of the movement rug. Explain the golden rule: "When the music grooves, your body moves; when the music drops, everyone STOPS!"
Teacher Action
Play mid-tempo beat. Call out animal moves (bunny hop, bear walk). Cut music suddenly after 15–20s.
Formative Check
Can children freeze both feet and hands without touching peers or falling? Praise "statue stillness."
2
Teach Dance Moves for Each Step (5–12 min)
Goal: Choreograph 3 SEL Steps
STEP 1: STOP
The Red Freeze Palm
Stomp feet together, push right palm forward flat ("traffic cop"), squeeze core, freeze eye gaze.
Chant: "Stop my feet!"
STEP 2: THINK
The Thinking Tap & Tilt
Tilt head to side, tap index finger gently to temple, take one big breath in through nose to calm.
Chant: "Think brain, breathe!"
STEP 3: ACT
The Star Wiggle & Clap
Jump out into star pose, wiggle fingers overhead, step-touch twice, double clap with a bright smile.
Chant: "Make a kind choice!"
Stop Think Act Dance • Pre-K Movement Curriculum Page 1 of 2 • Instructional Arc & Direct Instruction
Guided Practice, Performance & Reflection
Phases 3, 4, and 5 with differentiation strategies and observation criteria
18 Min Total
3
Group Rehearsal (12–20m)
Practice the 1-2-3 combo in sync with drumbeat, then layered with music.
Round 1 (Slow Motion): 8 beats per move to reinforce muscle memory.
Round 2 (Dance Tempo): 4 beats per move to upbeat instrumental track.
Round 3 (Callout Test): Teacher shouts random moves to test listening.
4
Small Groups (20–26m)
Divide class into 2 squads (e.g., "Cheetahs" & "Dolphins").
Squad 1 Performs: Dances the combo on the center rug.
Squad 2 Audience: Practices audience manners (cheering, clapping).
Switch roles: Every child gets spotlight experience.
5
Cool-Down & Talk (26–30m)
Shift from high motor energy to grounded calm reflection.
Rainbow Breathing: Arms sweep up breathing in; sweep down breathing out.
Reflection Prompt: "When should we STOP and THINK before we ACT in preschool?"
Pre-K Real-Life Connection Scenarios (Use in Discussion)
Scenario A: Toy Sharing A friend is playing with your favorite truck. Instead of grabbing, what do we STOP, THINK, and ACT to do?
Scenario B: Hallway Hustle You want to sprint fast to the playground. What does your body do to STOP and THINK before running?
Scenario C: Spilled Blocks A tall tower crashes on your feet. How does our dance move help us take a deep breath before reacting?
Differentiation & Accommodations
• Seated Variation: Perform all palm-freezes, temple taps, and star hands from a carpet square or chair.
• Sensory Sensitive: Lower music volume; use visual light cues or color ribbons instead of loud whistles.
• Language Learners: Rely heavily on visual icons (Red Hand, Lightbulb, Star) and nonverbal gestures.
Quick Observational Checklist
Freezes body promptly when music halts (Inhibition)
Performs 3 steps in correct sequence (Stop → Think → Act)
Articulates that "Act" means making a safe, kind choice
Stop Think Act Dance • Pre-K Movement Curriculum Page 2 of 2 • Small Group Performance & Reflection
Dance Move Slides Pre-K Movement & Feelings
30-Minute Routine
Stop • Think • Act
The Super Brain Decision Dance!
1. STOP 🛑 → 2. THINK 💡 → 3. ACT ⭐
Listen to the music • Move your body • Make safe choices!
Our 3 Super Steps
Sequence Routine
1
STOP!
Freeze feet & hands like a statue!
Palm up • Freeze!
2
THINK!
Tap your temple & take a deep breath.
Finger tap • Breathe!
3
ACT!
Make a safe and happy star dance choice!
Star wiggle • Smile!
We do them one by one: 1, 2, then 3!
1
Step 1: STOP!
The Freeze Palm Move
How We Move:
Glue both feet into the carpet!
Push one flat palm forward: "FREEZE!"
Look forward like a still statue!
Our Rhythm Chant
"Stop my feet!
Freeze right here!"
💡 Why? When our body stops, our brain gets ready to make a great choice!
Practice: Freeze when the music stops!
2
Step 2: THINK!
The Thinking Tap Move
How We Move:
Tilt your head to the side curiously!
Tap your finger gently to your temple!
Take one slow, deep nose breath in!
Our Rhythm Chant
"Think brain, breathe!
What should I do?"
💡 Why? Thinking helps us find kind ideas before we do anything!
Practice: Tap your temple and breathe in deep!
3
Step 3: ACT!
The Star Wiggle Move
How We Move:
Jump into a big, bright star pose!
Wiggle your fingers high overhead!
Double clap and share a kind smile!
Our Rhythm Chant
"Make a kind choice!
Do what is safe!"
💡 Why? Acting means doing the helpful, gentle, friendly choice!
Practice: Jump into star pose and wiggle your fingers!
Put It All Together
The 1 - 2 - 3 Dance Combo!
1. STOP!
Freeze Palm
Feet glued down
4 Drum Beats
2. THINK!
Temple Tap
Deep nose breath
4 Drum Beats
3. ACT!
Star Wiggle
Clap & kind smile
4 Drum Beats
Chant: "STOP! • THINK! • ACT! • (Repeat!)"
Showtime Dance Party!
Team Performance
Dancers On Stage
The Dancers:
Listen closely to the beat
Show STOP, THINK, and ACT
Take a proud bow!
Dance with your whole heart!
Kind Audience
The Audience:
Quiet eyes and watching ears
Cheer and clap for your friends
Get ready for your turn!
Give great applause!
When Team 1 finishes, we switch! Everyone gets to dance!
Cool-Down • Rainbow Breath
Calm & Reflect
How We Breathe:
1
Breathe In:
Sweep arms wide and high like a colorful rainbow.
2
Breathe Out:
Slowly float your hands down to your lap.
Super Question:
"When will you use STOP • THINK • ACT today?"
Remember: Your body can pause, your brain can think, and you can make kind choices!
Wonderful dancing, Super Thinkers! 🌟
Dance Callout Cue Script Facilitator Prompt Sheet
Dance Call-Out Cue Script
Use During Rehearsal & Showtime
Teacher Tip: Keep your vocal tone rhythmic and bouncy. Use a steady tambourine or drum tap on beats 1-2-3-4 to anchor students' listening!
Section 1: Call-and-Response Chants (With Accompanying Poses)
Chant A • Step 1: STOP (Motor Inhibition) Body Pose: Palm Freeze
Teacher Calls Out (Loud & Firm):
"Red light shining, what do we meet?"
Students Shout & Freeze:
"STOP right here and FREEZE my feet!"
Chant B • Step 2: THINK (Cognitive Pause) Body Pose: Temple Tap + Breath
Teacher Calls Out (Curious & Gentle):
"Tap your head and take a breath..."
Students Whisper & Tap:
"THINK of what is safe and best!"
Chant C • Step 3: ACT (Prosocial Action) Body Pose: Star Jump + Double Clap
Teacher Calls Out (High Energy):
"One, two, three, let's shine and grow!"
Students Jump to Star Pose:
"ACT with kindness, GO GO GO!"
Section 2: Tempo Variation Callouts (Motor Modulation)
Slow-Mo Turtle
Very slow, dramatic movements. Deep breathing focus.
Teacher cue: "Turtle time! S-l-o-o-w stop... s-l-o-w think... gentle act!"
Robot Precision
Sharp, angular stops and robotic head tilts. Builds impulse control.
Teacher cue: "Beep-boop! Stop robot! Think computer! Act kind!"
Speedy Cheetah
Fast quick beats, but the STOP must be instant and clean!
Teacher cue: "Cheetah groove... and BAM! Freeze on the dime!"
Stop Think Act Dance • Facilitator Cue Script Page 1 of 2 • Chants & Tempo Variations
Scenario Dance Challenges & Audio Cues
Interactive problem-solving routines and non-verbal percussion cues
Live Facilitation
Section 3: Scenario Action Prompts (Dance the Decision!)
Call out a scenario while students are grooving. Cut the music. Students immediately freeze in STOP , switch to THINK , and demonstrate the ACT response.
A
"The Paint Spill Mystery!"
Teacher Script: "Oh no! Blue paint just splashed across your drawing paper! Dance freeze in 3... 2... 1... STOP! (Students freeze palm) Now THINK... (Students temple tap) What is our kind act?"
Expected Student Act: Star wiggle → mime grabbing paper towel to wipe with a smile!
B
"The Line-Up Squeeze!"
Teacher Script: "It's playground time! Somebody steps right in front of your spot in line! Freeze! STOP! (Freeze) THINK... take that calming deep breath! What is our kind act?"
Expected Student Act: Gentle high-five wave → polite words: "You can stand here!"
C
"The Magnificent Toy Grab!"
Teacher Script: "You see the sparkly golden dinosaur across the rug! You feel like grabbing it fast! STOP your feet! THINK with your calm brain! How do we ACT?"
Expected Student Act: Double clap → hands palms-up to ask: "May I have a turn next?"
Section 4: Percussion / Non-Verbal Audio Cues
Audio Instrument Sound Target Dance Step Student Response
Single Rim-Shot / Cymbal Crash
1. STOP Instant statue freeze; palm out
Gentle Chime / Triangle Tone
2. THINK Index finger to temple; audible nose inhale
Shaker Rattle / Maraca Roll
3. ACT Star pose wiggle, double clap & beam smile
Energy Reset Script (If Students Become Overexcited)
If bodies bump or volume spikes too high, call: "Statue mountain in 3... 2... 1!"
Lower your body to a crouch, whisper: "Feel the earth under your toes. Tap your temple. Breathe in lavender, blow out the birthday candle." Resume dance once heart rates settle.
Stop Think Act Dance • Facilitator Cue Script Page 2 of 2 • Scenario Challenges & Percussion Guides
Freeze Dance Warmup Activity Phase 1 Movement Activity
Freeze Dance Warm-Up
Activity Length 5 Minutes
Teacher Instructions: Use this warm-up to activate listening ears and body control before teaching the dance steps. Play music for 15–20 seconds while calling out animal moves. Cut the audio suddenly and hold up one of the 3 cards below. Children must freeze in that exact pose!
The 4 Warm-Up Progression Rounds
Round 1: Bunny Bounces
Two-foot hops. When music cuts: freeze as tall bunny ears!
Round 2: Bear Stomp
Heavy slow stomps. When music cuts: freeze in a gentle bear paw pose!
Round 3: Butterfly Float
Gentle tiptoe arm flaps. When music cuts: land quietly on a flower!
Round 4: Super Thinker
Fast wiggle dance. When music cuts: freeze in STOP palm position!
Teacher Visual Cue Cards (Cut Out & Hold Up) ✂ Cut along dashed borders
Card 1 • Step 1
STOP!
Statue Freeze
Feet glued down • Palm flat forward
Card 2 • Step 2
THINK!
Brain Tap
Finger on temple • Deep nose breath
Card 3 • Step 3
ACT!
Kind Star
Star fingers high • Double clap
Stop Think Act Dance • Freeze Dance Warm-Up Kit Page 1 of 2 • Game Progression & Cue Cards
Pre-K Take-Home Activity
My Decision Dance Sequence
Name:
Date:
Directions: Trace the 3 super words below! Color in each dance mover, then draw your favorite kind action in the open box at the bottom!
1
First I...
S T O P • trace the letters •
Freeze Palm Pose
2
Next I...
T H I N K • trace the letters •
Temple Tap Pose
3
Then I...
A C T • trace the letters •
Star Dance Pose
Draw Your Kind Choice: What good choice will you make today? Drawing Space
Super Decision Dancer Badge: I stopped, I thought, and I danced with kindness!
Teacher Star:
★
Stop Think Act Dance • Freeze Dance Warm-Up Kit Page 2 of 2 • Student Sequence Activity Sheet