Choice Stoplight Teacher Guide Pre-K School Counseling
Choice Stoplight Teacher Guide
30 Minutes
Core Skill
Self-Regulation
Key Concept
Stop, Think, Go
Method
Interactive Play
Objectives & Materials
• Identify: Red, Yellow, & Green.
• Breathe: Try a balloon breath.
• Choose: Do helpful green tasks.
Needed: Slide Deck, Poster, and Paper Plates (Red/Yellow/Green)
ASCA Alignment
• M 1: Belief in development of whole self.
• B-SMS 2: Demonstrate self-discipline & self-control.
• B-SMS 7: Demonstrate effective coping/problem-solving skills.
Texas Pre-K Goals
• I.A.4: Child shows initiative in making decisions.
• I.B.1.b: Child regulates attention, thoughts, and impulses.
• I.B.3.a: Child manages behavior & feelings with adult support.
Circle Time Instruction
1
Warm-Up: The Squeaking Toy & Stoplight Spark (5 mins)
Gather students in a circle. Bring out your puppet/plush toy. "Class, this is Barnaby Bunny. Barnaby is feeling very hyper today! He keeps running around without looking and bumped into a blocks tower! Oh no!"
Teacher Script: "Sometimes our bodies feel like they are moving so fast we forget to make a safe choice. What helps a fast car stop on the road? A traffic light! We have a magic traffic light inside our minds too!"
2
Teaching: Red, Yellow, and Green Choices (10 mins)
Display the Classroom Anchor Chart . Teach the three traffic light colors using somatic movements:
🔴 RED LIGHT = STOP
Freeze body instantly, cross arms safely over chest, freeze feet.
🟡 YELLOW = THINK
Place hands on tummy. Take 1 slow, deep "balloon breath."
🟢 GREEN = CHOOSE
Use walking feet, helpful hands, and gentle words.
3
Somatic Practice: Stoplight Breathing (5 mins)
Practice the yellow light transition. Have students stand up. Instruct them to wiggle like silly spaghetti. Shout "RED LIGHT!" — children freeze. Shout "YELLOW LIGHT!" — children take a deep breath. Shout "GREEN LIGHT!" — children smile and sit down peacefully.
Stop, Think, Go Choices — Counseling Resources Page 1 of 2
Interactive Play
Active Learning & Play Activities
Active Practice
🚥 Hands-On Activity: The Choice Stoplight Game (10 mins)
This kinesthetic game allows students to apply the Stoplight Choices directly in dynamic, simulated scenarios. Hand out a double-sided colored paper plate (one side Green, one side Red, with a Yellow sticker in the center) or colored cards to every student.
How to Play:
1 The teacher reads a scenario (see card list below).
2 Students shout "Red Light!" to stop the negative action.
3 Students hold up their Yellow Light and take a loud collective breath together.
4 Students turn their plates to the Green Light and share what a helpful choice looks like!
Actionable Practice Scenarios
🧸
The Sandbox Grab
Scenario: "You really want the blue toy truck. A friend is playing with it, so you reach over and grab it out of their hand."
🛑 Red -> 🟡 Breathe -> 🟢 Ask: "Can I have a turn next?"
🎒
The Tidy-Up Rush
Scenario: "The clean-up song starts playing. You want to keep playing with blocks, so you kick them under the shelf and run away."
🛑 Red -> 🟡 Breathe -> 🟢 Put blocks neatly back in bins.
🍰
The Snack Push
Scenario: "You are starving! You push past three children in line to get your juice box first because you can't wait."
🛑 Red -> 🟡 Breathe -> 🟢 Walk to the back of the line nicely.
🎨
The Spilled Paint
Scenario: "You accidentally spill water all over your watercolor paper. You feel a big scream coming out of your mouth!"
🛑 Red -> 🟡 Breathe -> 🟢 Say: "Teacher, I need a paper towel!"
Reflection Questions
• "How does your tummy feel when you take a yellow balloon breath?"
• "Why is stopping first so helpful when we feel mad or excited?"
• "Who can help us make green choices at school?"
Counselor Tips
Visual Cues: Tap your nose when you notice a child successfully stopping or taking a yellow light breath.
Co-Regulation: Practice the Stoplight movements whenever the classroom energy spikes during transitions.
Stop, Think, Go Choices — Counseling Resources Page 2 of 2
Choice Stoplight Presentation Slides Pre-K Counseling | Stop, Think, Go Choices
The Magic Stoplight inside Your Mind!
Learn how to stop, breathe, and make amazing green choices every single day!
🔴 🟡 🟢
Slide 1 of 6
Story Time! Slide 2 of 6
Meet Barnaby Bunny! 🧸
Barnaby is super friendly, but sometimes his bunny feet move so fast that he bumps into blocks, drops toys, and forgets to share!
Barnaby needs our help! How can he teach his body to slow down?
🐰
"Sometimes my feelings are super big!"
Let's show Barnaby our magic mind tool! Counseling Circle
Step One Slide 3 of 6
STOP!
🔴 Red Means STOP!
When your heart beats fast, or you feel angry, sad, or super excited...
Try this together:
Freeze your body, cross your arms safely, and freeze your feet on the rug!
Can you freeze like a statue? Try it now! Step 1 of the Stoplight
Step Two Slide 4 of 6
THINK & BREATHE
🟡 Yellow Means THINK!
Now we use our magic tool: the Balloon Breath . We slow our motor down so we can think!
🎈
1. Blow Up
Breathe in deep, make your hands into a big round balloon!
💨
2. Let It Out
Sigh it out loudly and let your balloon melt down slowly.
Put your hands on your tummy. Let's breathe 2 times! Step 2 of the Stoplight
Step Three Slide 5 of 6
GO!
🟢 Green Means GO CHOICE!
Now your mind is cool and ready! You can make a helpful green choice that makes everyone happy:
🤝 Sharing Hands
🗣️ Kind Words
🐢 Slow Body
Green choices protect our toys and our friends! Step 3 of the Stoplight
Play Time Slide 6 of 6
Let's Practice! 🚥
What light should Barnaby bunny use if a friend grabs his block?
💢
Scream & Pull
Scream loudly and grab the block back immediately.
🔴
Stop & Freeze
Stop your body first, and take a deep yellow balloon breath.
🗣️
Say Helpful Words
Use gentle words: "Can we build a tall tower together?"
Remember: STOP, BREATHE, and MAKE A GREEN CHOICE! Game Practice Overview
Choice Stoplight Anchor Chart 🐰 Barnaby's Choice Tool!
✨
MY MIND'S STOPLIGHT
Stop • Think & Breathe • Make a Good Choice
STOP
🔴
RED LIGHT = STOP!
Freeze your fast bunny feet immediately!
Cross your arms safely across your body.
THINK
🟡
YELLOW = THINK & BREATHE
Take one slow "Balloon Breath."
Hands on your tummy. Smell the flower, blow the candle.
CHOOSE
🟢
GREEN = GOOD CHOICE!
Go! Make a helpful, friendly decision.
Use gentle words, soft sharing hands, and helpful eyes.
Classroom Daily Cues
"Is that a Red light action?"
"Let's show a Yellow light breath!"
"I see so many Green choices!"
Stop, Think, Go Choices — Printable Poster Post in the Calm Down Corner or Circle Space
Choice Stoplight Take Home Activity Family Connections Resource
Choice Stoplight Family Play-Sheet
Classroom Connection
Counselor Lenny's Series
Student Name:
Helper Grown-Up:
Dear Families & Caregivers:
Today at school, we learned about the Stop, Think, Go Stoplight system to help us make safe, kind choices! When feeling huge feelings (mad, wild, or excited), your child is practicing how to 🔴 Stop (Freeze) , 🟡 Think (Take a Yellow Balloon Breath) , and 🟢 Go (Make a good Green Choice) . Use this worksheet together to reinforce these skills at home!
Part 1: Color Me! 🎨
Color Red (Top), Yellow (Middle), & Green (Bottom)!
RED
YEL
GRN
Part 2: Green or Red Choice? 🟢🔴
Look at the actions. If it is a helpful choice, color the bubble GREEN . If it is an unhelpful choice, color it RED !
🧸
Cleaning up my toys at tidy time
Helping our home stay safe and neat.
🗣️
Saying "No!" and screaming loudly
Using our big, angry scream at grown-ups.
🎈
Taking a slow, deep breath to calm down
Practicing our yellow light balloon breaths.
🤝
Sharing our favorites with siblings or friends
Using our kind hands and sharing spirit.
Family Game: The Living Room Stoplight
How to Play: Play a game of "Red Light, Green Light" in your living room, but add the yellow light! When you shout "Red Light!" , your child freezes like a statue. When you shout "Yellow Light!" , you both take a deep, loud balloon breath. When you shout "Green Light!" , walk calmly towards the finish line together!
Stop, Think, Go Choices — Take Home Family Play-Sheet Please complete and return to school!
