Gentle Hands Slides Lesson 1 • SEL Routine
Gentle Hands Squad
20 Minutes
1. Hello Song Sit on Spot
2. Look & Learn Gentle vs Hurt
3. Practice Soft Touch Mat
4. Token Star All Done!
Anchor Rule: "My hands are calm. My hands are gentle."
Gentle Hands Are Safe
Rule 1
YES • SAFE
Hands on my own lap
Soft wave to friend
Gentle high five
NO • NOT SAFE
No pushing friends
No grabbing toys
No hitting or pinching
Repeat together: "Gentle hands keep everyone safe!"
Practice Time
What Can My Hands Do?
Choose Safe
Wave Hello
Wave hands up in the air from my carpet spot.
Hands in Lap
Fold hands softly right in my lap like a nest.
Squeeze Squishy
Squeeze my fidget toy when hands need work.
Show me now: Put your gentle hands in your lap!
Whole Body Check
Countdown
3
Eyes Look
Look at teacher
2
Ears Listen
Quiet mouth
1
Gentle Hands
Hands in lap
"3-2-1... Calm body, safe hands!"
You Are a Gentle Hands Hero!
You kept your hands gentle & safe today!
Earned: 1 Safe Body Star Token ⭐
Next: Time for your token card check!
Gentle Hands Visual Board SEL Carpet Tool
My Gentle Hands Mat
Keep this mat in your lap during group circle time
Name:
Place Hands Here When Teacher Talks
Left Hand Spot Gentle & Still
Right Hand Spot Gentle & Still
"Hands in my lap, soft and calm."
Gentle Hands Token Board (Earn 4 Stars) Carpet Goal
Star 1
Star 2
Star 3
Star 4 • Reward
My Safe Choice Options (Tap to Choose):
Wave
Say hi to friend
Fist Bump
Gentle tap
Hands in Lap
Safe body
Visual Cutouts
Cut & Laminate Tokens
Affix with Velcro dots for student carpet token board and choice rings
Token Star Badges (Velcro to Mat)
Gentle
Gentle
Gentle
Gentle
Safe Hands
Safe Hands
Friend Safe
Hero Star
AAC / Lanyard Visual Cue Cards (For Paraprofessional & Student)
Cue 1
Gentle Hands
Lap placement cue
Cue 2
Hands to Self
Nonverbal redirect
Cue 3
Squeeze Fidget
Sensory motor out
Cue 4
Take a Break
Safe calm corner
Teacher Tip: Present the token board immediately upon sitting at the carpet. Provide 1 star token every 4 minutes of calm hands to build continuous positive reinforcement.
Gentle Hands Teacher Guide Teacher Protocol Kindergarten • Level 3 ASD
Gentle Hands Lesson Guide
20 Min Large Group Routine
20-Minute Lesson Timeline & Concrete Scripts
0-4 Min
Visual Schedule Anchor & Carpet Sit
Hand out individual Gentle Hands Mats . Direct students to place palms on the yellow handprints. Sing carpet transition cue: "Hands in lap, safe and still, 1-2-3!"
4-9 Min
Slide Modeling: Yes Safe vs. No Hurt
Display Slide 2. Contrast green check (gentle wave, lap touch) with red X (grabbing, hitting). Pair each with physical gestural sign. Keep verbal prompt under 5 words: "Hands gentle. Friends are safe."
9-15 Min
Active Rehearsal & Token Delivery
Call out gentle choices: "Show me wave!" -> students wave. "Show me lap!" -> hands flat. Paraprofessionals immediately award Velcro star tokens onto mats for calm body postures.
15-20 Min
3-2-1 Whole Body Check & Structured Transition
Display Slide 4 countdown (Eyes, Ears, Gentle Hands). Count down in unison with visual fingers. Dismiss students one-by-one with a gentle fist bump or wave to next center.
Least-to-Most Prompt Hierarchy
1. Visual: Point silently to yellow handprint on student's mat.
2. Gestural: Staff folds own hands in lap exaggeratedly in line of sight.
3. Verbal: State 2-word rule: "Hands lap" (neutral, flat tone).
4. Hand-Under-Hand: Gently guide student's wrists downward onto target mat.
Sensory & Regulation Toolkit
• Deep Pressure: Offer 3 lb weighted lap pad for students seeking proprioception.
• Squeeze Outlet: Provide silicone squishy if hands crave tactile motor input.
• Seating Border: Use carpet boundary squares or cube chair for physical base.
• AAC Cues: Have 1-step "BREAK" button accessible to prevent dysregulation.
Teacher Observation & Pacing Checklist
Mat in lap before talking
Tokens awarded every 4 min
Nonverbal cues prioritized
Space Bubble Slides Lesson 2 • SEL Routine
Space Bubble Guard
20 Minutes
1. Bubble Spot Sit in Circle
2. Learn Rule Safe Distance
3. Bubble Wings Stretch Arms
4. Token Star Good Job!
Anchor Script: "I have my bubble. You have your bubble."
My Body Has an Invisible Bubble
Rule 2
SAFE BUBBLE
Sitting on my carpet spot
One arm length away from peers
Room to breathe and move
TOO CLOSE
Bumping into someone's back
Touching friend's hair or face
Crowding too close in line
Chant: "Give friends room! Protect the bubble!"
Action Test
The Bubble Wings Check
3 Quick Steps
Step 1
Spread Wings
Put both arms out straight to the side.
Step 2
Look Around
Do your fingertips touch any friend?
Step 3
Step Back
If you touch, scoot back one step.
Let's try: "Wings out! Check your bubble now!"
Where Do We Keep Our Bubble?
All Day
Carpet Time
Stay inside your carpet square spot.
Line Up
Leave space between you and your buddy.
Table Time
Sit in your chair with elbows in.
"My bubble goes everywhere I go!"
Bubble Guard Badge Unlocked!
You respected your friends' space today!
Earned: Space Bubble Token ⭐
Next: Check your Bubble Mat tokens!
Space Bubble Carpet Mat SEL Floor Anchor
My Space Bubble Mat
Place this mat on your carpet square to mark your safe body bubble
Name:
Inside My Space Bubble (My Body Stays Here)
Left Foot
Right Foot
Sit Criss-Cross or Feet Flat
"My bubble keeps me safe, your bubble keeps you safe!"
Bubble Guard Token Tracker (Earn 4 Shields) Carpet Goal
Token 1
Token 2
Token 3
Token 4 • Star
1. On My Spot
2. Wings Out Check
3. Hands to Self
Cut & Use
Bubble Badges & Sorting Cards
Cut out shield tokens and sorting prompt cards for circle practice
Space Shield Tokens (Velcro to Mat)
Safe Bubble
Safe Bubble
Safe Bubble
Safe Bubble
Super Space
Super Space
Guard Star
All Done
Space Bubble Sorting Rehearsal Cards
Safe Space
Arms Out Space
Not touching anyone
Safe Space
In My Carpet Box
Body on personal spot
Too Close
Touching Hair/Face
Scoot back to your mat
Too Close
Crowding in Line
Leave 1 arm space
Support Tip: If a student invades another's space, prompt the nonverbal signal: hold two palms gently up facing the student and whisper: "Check your bubble."
Space Bubble Teacher Guide Teacher Protocol Kindergarten • Level 3 ASD
Space Bubble Lesson Guide
20 Min Large Group Routine
20-Minute Lesson Timeline & Concrete Scripts
0-4 Min
Perimeter Seating & Mat Anchor
Direct each child to sit directly inside their laminated Space Bubble Mat . Reinforce physical border: "Body on your mat. This is your safe bubble." Tap mat border lightly.
4-9 Min
Slide Modeling: Safe Bubble vs. Popped Bubble
Show Slide 2. Contrast sitting peacefully on a mat with crowding into a neighbor's space. Teach choral hand signal: draw a big circle in the air with both pointer fingers while saying: "My bubble! Safe bubble!"
9-15 Min
Active Motor Rehearsal: "Bubble Wings Check"
Call out: "Bubble Wings Out!" Students stretch arms out wide. If two children touch hands, model taking one scoot backwards onto their mat. Immediately award shield tokens to students maintaining personal borders.
15-20 Min
Line-Up Simulation & Calm Transition
Call students one-by-one to stand on colored poly spots on the floor spaced 2.5 feet apart. Practice keeping "one bubble wings" distance in line before moving to the next routine.
Tactile Boundary Tools
• Hula Hoops: Place plastic hoops on carpet for students who need physical walls.
• Poly Spots: Use non-slip 12-inch rubber spots in line-up areas.
• Painter's Tape: Tape 24x24 inch squares on carpet for unambiguous spatial boundaries.
• Cube Chairs: Provide physical armrests for students struggling with body awareness.
Non-Verbal Proximity Redirections
1. Bubble Flashcard: Hold up blue shield icon silently directly in child's view.
2. Wing Gesture: Staff stretches arms outward, then points to student's feet on spot.
3. Gentle Guide: Guide child's shoulders gently back into their own hoop/mat boundary.
4. Choral Praise: "Safe bubble, [Name]! Token earned!" Deliver within 3 seconds.
Staff Positioning & Proximity Plan
Sit directly behind high-need students
Prompt "Bubble Wings" before crowding
Keep verbal cues under 4 words
Safe Moves Slides Lesson 3 • SEL Routine
Safe Moves Patrol
20 Minutes
1. Walking Feet Inside Rules
2. Red Light Stop & Freeze
3. Calm Breath Reset Body
4. Hero Badge Sequence Done!
Anchor Rule: "Walking feet inside. Safe bodies stop and listen."
Safe Feet in the Classroom
Rule 3
WALKING FEET
Slow, steady steps
Eyes watching the floor path
Keeps friends and teacher safe
NO RUNNING
Running causes slips and falls
Bumping into tables and chairs
Save fast running for playground
Say it loud: "My feet walk slow and safe!"
Movement Game
Stop & Go Body Practice
Listen & Look
GREEN LIGHT
Walk Slow & Safe
Feet step softly
RED LIGHT
Freeze Like a Statue
Hands down, feet still
"When you hear freeze, stop like a tree!"
Calm Body Reset Routine
Breathe
1. Smell the Flower
Breathe in slow through your nose.
1 ... 2 ... 3 ... In
2. Blow the Candle
Blow air out softly through your lips.
1 ... 2 ... 3 ... Out
"My breathing is slow. My body is calm and safe."
Safe Body Squad Champion!
You learned all 3 Safe Body Choices!
1. Gentle Hands
2. Space Bubble
3. Safe Moves
Congratulations Safe Body Hero!
Safe Moves Visual Lanyard SEL Movement Board
Safe Moves Tracker
Track walking feet and stop-and-freeze choices during large group movement
Name:
GREEN • WALK SLOW
Walking feet on classroom floor
"Step softly, eyes forward"
RED • FREEZE BODY
Feet still, hands at sides
"Stop like a statue right away"
Safe Moves Patrol Token Board (Earn 4 Medals) Game Goal
Token 1
Token 2
Token 3
Token 4 • Finisher
Need a Reset? 2 Calm Breaths
Smell the flower (breathe in) • Blow out candle (breathe out)
Calm Body
Lanyard & Tokens
Movement Cutout Cards
Punch hole at top for student lanyard or staff behavior ring
Safe Moves Patrol Tokens (Velcro to Tracker)
Walking Feet
Walking Feet
Safe Freeze
Safe Freeze
Calm Breath
Calm Breath
Safe Hero
All Done!
Visual Lanyard Pocket Cards (Hallway & Classroom Transit)
Transit Cue
Walking Feet
Walk slow, safe body
Transit Cue
Stop & Freeze
Statue body, wait
Transit Cue
Calm Reset
2 deep slow breaths
Transit Cue
Hold Teacher Hand
Safe line partner
Transition Guide: Present the "Walking Feet" card visually before initiating any classroom movement or hallway transit to prime expected motor regulation.
Safe Moves Teacher Guide Teacher Protocol Kindergarten • Level 3 ASD
Safe Moves Lesson Guide
20 Min Large Group Routine
20-Minute Lesson Timeline & Concrete Scripts
0-4 Min
Visual Routine Review & Walking Chant
Display Slide 1. Review 4-step picture schedule. Introduce core motor chant with rhythmic foot stomping: "Slow feet, safe feet, walking on the rug."
4-9 Min
Stop & Go Modeling: Red Light vs. Green Light
Show Slide 3. Teacher holds physical Red/Green paddles. Green = slow walking feet in circle perimeter. Red = immediate freeze like a statue. Model with staff co-regulators first.
9-15 Min
Whole-Group Rehearsal: The Safe Freeze Game
Play soft rhythmic drum beat. Students walk slowly along marked perimeter tape. Beat stops + Red Light shown -> all freeze. Paraprofessionals immediately reward medal tokens on students' trackers.
15-20 Min
Calm Reset & Sequence Graduation
Practice Slide 4 breath: smell the flower (in), blow candle (out). Award the Safe Body Squad Champion badge (Slide 5). Hand out laminated lanyard cue cards for daily classroom transit.
Motor Containment & Boundaries
• Tape Pathway: Use bright yellow floor tape to create a clear loop for walking rehearsal.
• Footprint Decals: Stick footprint decals on the floor at 18-inch intervals for pacing.
• Stop Signs at Exits: Place high-contrast octagonal Red Light cards at all classroom doorways.
• Padded Borders: Block sharp furniture corners along the movement boundary with foam.
Co-Regulation & Calming
1. Heavy Work Reset: If student runs or bolts, offer wall push-ups or weighted animal toy.
2. Low-Arousal Voice: Drop pitch and volume when delivering "Freeze" command. Never yell.
3. Hand-in-Hand Support: Walk alongside sensory-seeking students with gentle downward wrist pressure.
4. High-Five / Fist Bump: Seal successful freeze moments with calm, quiet physical validation.
Safe Body Squad Sequence Mastery Criteria
Gentle Hands on lap for 10+ min
Maintains personal bubble in line
Freezes on visual Red Light cue
