Stop and Go Slides Stop and Go!
Learning to Control Our Super-Fast Bodies
The Reverse Challenge
GO
Usually means MOVE...
But today, it means STOP!
STOP
Usually means FREEZE...
But today, it means GO!
Can your brain handle the switch?
The "I Want To" Feeling
The Spark
Your body wants to move FAST!
The Brake
Your brain tells your feet to FREEZE.
The Muscle
The more we practice, the stronger it gets!
Level 1
Classic Red & Green
"Green Light" = Walk toward the teacher
"Red Light" = Freeze like a statue
Bonus: Move like a slow-motion astronaut!
Level 2
The Listen-Only Challenge
The teacher will HIDE the colors.
You must use your SUPER EARS to hear the word!
Let's Talk!
1. Which game was the hardest?
Why was it hard for your body to stop?
2. What did you do to help yourself freeze?
(Taking a breath? Squeezing your muscles?)
Game Master Guide Game Master Guide
Lesson 1: Stop and Go Games
Teacher Resource
Lesson Overview
This lesson uses movement games to build motor inhibition . Students practice stopping a physical action upon receiving a command, even when their body "wants" to keep moving. This is the foundation of impulse control.
The Game Variations
Variation 1: The Visual Classic
Standard rules. Use large Red and Green cards. Focus on complete freezing . If a student moves after "Red", have them take 3 giant steps back.
Goal: Build basic muscle response.
Variation 2: The Opposite Switch
Swap the meanings. Red = Go, Green = Stop . This requires students to override their automatic associations. It is significantly harder and will lead to "brain giggles" (mistakes).
Goal: Cognitive inhibition and cognitive flexibility.
Variation 3: Animal Mode
Change the movement. "Green Light = Bunny Hop", "Green Light = Slow Turtle". This adds a layer of working memory as they have to remember the movement type while listening for the stop command.
Goal: Integrating memory with inhibition.
Facilitation Tips
Check for Safety: Ensure the play area is clear of obstacles before starting.
Model the "Mistake": Intentionally make a mistake during the Opposite Switch and show how to calmly restart. This reduces student anxiety.
Use a "Brake" Cue: Encourage students to imagine they have a brake pedal in their brain. When they hear "Stop", they "stomp the brake".
Scaffold: If the Opposite Switch is too hard, start with just one color switch (e.g., Red still means stop, but Blue means go).
Reflection & Debrief
Q1
"When you heard the 'Stop' word, what did your body feel like doing? Was it easy or hard to make it listen?"
Q2
"What did your brain have to do when the colors switched their meanings?"
Q3
"Can you think of a time in our classroom where you have to use your 'Brain Brake'?" (e.g., in the hallway, at the rug).
My Freeze Frame Worksheet My Freeze Frame
Impulse Control Skills
NAME:
DATE:
Your "Brain Brake" Challenge
In our game today, you practiced freezing your body. Draw a picture of yourself using your Brain Brake to stay perfectly still like a statue!
Draw Yourself Freezing Here
How did your body feel when you had to freeze?
😊
Easy
🤔
A Little Hard
😅
Very Hard
My "Freeze" Secret:
(One thing that helps me stay still is...)
The Thinking Light Slides The Thinking Light
A Three-Step Secret to Making Great Choices
What is a Behavior Crash?
When cars run a red light, it's a mess!
A "Behavior Crash" is when we react too fast without thinking.
Teacher: Embed Traffic Light Safety Clip Here
(Example: Cars ignoring traffic signals)
RED: STOP
Freeze your body and your mouth.
Don't do anything yet!
YELLOW: THINK
What is happening?
What are my choices?
What will happen next?
GREEN: GO
Make your move!
Pick the best choice you thought of.
Let's Use the Light!
Scenario 1
Someone takes the toy you were playing with...
STOP!
THINK...
GO?
Scenario 2
You really want to shout out the answer in class...
STOP!
THINK...
GO?
Decision Sorter Cards Choice Sorting Cards
Cut these out for the Thinking Light Floor Activity
Teacher Instructions: Cut along the dotted lines. Have students place the cards on a large floor traffic light. "Red" for things we need to STOP immediately, "Yellow" for things we need to THINK about, and "Green" for great choices to GO with!
🗣️
Shouting while the teacher is talking
🙋♂️
Raising a quiet hand for a turn
🤜
Hitting someone when I am angry
🌬️
Taking three deep breaths to calm down
🏃♂️
Running inside the hallway
🤝
Asking "Can I play?" with a kind voice
🤐
Listening with my eyes and ears
😖
Crying when I don't get my way
The Brain Switch Slides The Brain Switch
Training Your Brain to Change Directions
Can You Switch Fast?
Pat your head
Rub your tummy
NOW SWITCH!
The Reverse Simon Game
1
If Simon says "Touch your toes",
you touch your NOSE!
2
If Simon says "Sit down",
you STAND UP!
3
Watch out! If Simon doesn't say "Simon says"...
FREEZE!
The "Habit" Monster
Our brain loves to do things automatically.
Automatic Brain
Does what it usually does without thinking.
Flexible Brain
Stops, thinks, and switches to a new rule.
When do we switch at school?
From PLAY to WORK
From ME to US
From LOUD to QUIET
Simon's Secret Script Simon's Secret Script
Lesson 3: The Reverse Challenge Game
Teacher Resource
Instructional Goal
To build cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control by requiring students to suppress an automatic motor response in favor of a rule-based alternative.
Level 1
The Simple Reverse
Command: "Touch your Head" → Reaction: Touch Shoulders
Command: "Stand Up" → Reaction: Sit Down
Command: "Hands on Knees" → Reaction: Hands on Hips
Level 2
The Rule Runner
"In this round, if I say 'Simon Says', do the REVERSE. If I don't say 'Simon Says', do NOTHING (Freeze)."
Simon says... "Smile" → Reaction: Frown
"Wiggle your fingers" → FREEZE!
Level 3
The Paradox
Double Switch Rules:
Rule A: If I am WHISPERING, do the NORMAL action.
Rule B: If I am SHOUTING, do the REVERSE action.
For Frustrated Students
If a student keeps missing the switch, give them a physical reminder like a "Switch Card" (one side Blue, one side Orange) to hold as a visual cue for which rule is active.
Observation Check
Notice students who "pause" before moving. This is the goal! The pause shows the cognitive switch is working.
Focus Detective Tracker Focus Detective Tracker
Did you catch your brain switching?
Detective:
My Switching Power Today
1
Level 1
(Color one star for each win!)
2
Level 2
3
Level 3
Draw your face when you made a "Brain Mistake" (and laughed!):
Detective's Notebook
"I noticed that my brain wanted to..."
"But I used my switch and I..."
Waiting Wins Slides Waiting Wins
How to be a Pro at Waiting
The Waiting Challenge
🍭
1 Treat Now
OR
🍭🍭
2 Treats Later
If you can wait for 2 minutes without touching the first one... you get BOTH!
The Waiting Itch
When we want something, our brain feels like it's buzzing.
It's hard to stay still when we are excited or hungry!
Waiting is a muscle we have to stretch.
Tool #1: Waiting Hands
Clasp your hands together in your lap or on the table.
"My hands are busy holding each other so they can't grab!"
Tool #2: Silent Counting
1
2
3
4
5...
Count slowly in your head. It gives your brain a JOB while your body waits.
Waiting Wins!
Hands
Clasp them tight.
Mind
Count to ten.
Breathe
Slow and deep.
Waiting Toolbox Reference My Waiting Toolbox
Smart Strategies for Super Waiters
1
Waiting Hands
🤝
Hold your hands together in your lap. Keep them "busy" by clasping them tight!
2
Silent Counting
🔢
Count to 10 slowly in your head. 1... 2... 3... until the waiting is over!
3
Balloon Breath
🎈
Breathe in like you are filling a balloon, then let it out s-l-o-w-l-y.
4
Picture Finder
🔍
Look around. Can you find 3 blue things? 2 round things? 1 square thing?
Waiting Power!
"I can wait and I can win, my toolbox help is deep within!"
Waiting Wins Journal Waiting Wins Journal
Practicing Patience
Student:
Date:
The Waiting Challenge
Today we practiced waiting for a treat. Draw a picture of yourself waiting. Show what your hands and body were doing!
My Waiting Body
Which tool did you use today? (Circle one)
🤝
Hands
🔢
Counting
🎈
Breathing
🔍
Finding
How did waiting make you feel?
Excited
Itchy / Wiggly
Calm
Next time I have to wait, I will try to...
The 3 Second Rule Slides 3s
The 3 Second Rule
Building the Habit of the Pause
Pause Potato
In normal Hot Potato, you pass the ball as FAST as you can.
In PAUSE POTATO, you must take one deep breath before you can pass it!
The Reaction Challenge
The teacher will ask you a question.
Your brain will want to shout the answer...
WAIT...
Wait for the bell before you speak!
What happens in 3 seconds?
1
The "Impulse" calms down.
2
The "Choice" starts to grow.
3
The "Best You" makes a move.
Final Boss Challenge
The teacher will say something funny or surprising.
Can you keep a "Stone Face" for 5 seconds before you laugh?
🗿
⏱️
Think Before You Speak Cards Think Before You Speak
Challenge Cards for the 3-Second Pause
Activity Cards
Teacher: Read these questions quickly. Students must wait until you count down 3-2-1-GO before they are allowed to answer.
Easy
What color is the sky on a sunny day?
Easy
What do you say when you want something?
Tricky
How many legs does a spider have?
Tricky
What is 2 + 3?
Silly
What sound does a giant purple elephant make?
Silly
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
School
Where do we put our backpacks when we arrive?
School
What is our teacher's name?
Pause Power Assessment Guide Pause Power Assessment
Final Unit Checklist
Teacher Resource
Unit Summary
This sequence aimed to build the foundational skills of inhibitory control , moving from motor inhibition (Lesson 1) to cognitive flexibility (Lesson 3) and finally to habitual pausing (Lesson 5). Use this checklist to monitor student progress.
Skill Area Look-Fors Progress Motor Inhibition Can freeze the body instantly on command. Does not "drift" after the stop signal. ○ ○ ○ Concept Knowledge Identifies "Red" as Stop, "Yellow" as Think, and "Green" as Go choices. ○ ○ ○ Cognitive Flexibility Can perform the opposite of a command. Shows ability to switch rules mid-game. ○ ○ ○ Waiting Strategies Uses at least one strategy (Waiting Hands, Counting) during delays. ○ ○ ○ Habitual Pause Can wait 3 seconds before responding to a high-excitement question. ○ ○ ○
Individual Observation Notes
Next Steps for Differentiation
For High Mastery: Introduce "Conditional Rules" (e.g., "Only pause if the question is about animals").
For Emerging Skills: Continue using physical props (visual traffic lights, switch cards) to reduce cognitive load while building inhibition.
Generalization: Use the phrase "Time for a Brain Brake" throughout the school day to trigger these learned skills in natural contexts.