Stop-Think-and-Go: Making Smart Choices
The Stop-Think-and-Go: Making Smart Choices resource is a visual behaviour management tool that helps students regulate their emotions and make positive decisions. Using a simple traffic light system, students learn to STOP (pause and take a deep breath), THINK (consider their options), and GO (make a positive choice).
This resource is ideal for promoting self-regulation, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence in the classroom. It is particularly useful for students who need extra support in managing their emotions and behaviours.
Learning goals
- We are learning to identify trusted people and demonstrate ways to stay safe and healthy.
- We are learning to identify and practise emotional responses.
- We are learning to identify and practise strategies to promote health, safety and wellbeing.
- We are learning to plan and practise strategies to promote health, safety and wellbeing by setting goals and participating in activities that encourage healthy habits.
Curriculum alignment
Identify people and demonstrate protective behaviours and other actions that help keep themselves safe and healthy
ACPPS020 8.4Identify and practise emotional responses that account for own and others’ feelings
ACPPS036 8.4Identify and practise strategies to promote health, safety and wellbeing
ACPPS054 8.4Plan and practise strategies to promote health, safety and wellbeing
Australian Curriculum covers QLD / SA / WA / NT / TAS / ACT.
Differentiation
Modifications
• Can be laminated for durability and displayed in calming corners, behaviour management areas, or near classroom doorways.
• Use as a visual cue for students who need step-by-step guidance on regulating emotions.
• Provide individual copies for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, and other special needs to help with emotional regulation.
• Pair with a role-play activity where students practice different scenarios.
Extensions
• Create scenario cards where students practice applying Stop-Think-and-Go in real-life classroom situations.
• Use alongside social stories to help children understand and apply these concepts in their daily interactions.
• Incorporate into peer-mediation or conflict-resolution programs.
• Encourage students to reflect by keeping a self-regulation journal tracking when they used Stop-Think-and-Go and how it helped.