Unit Plan 14 (Grade K Counselor): Stop, Think, Choose

Focus: Introduce simple problem-solving steps. Students learn to stop, name the problem, think of safe choices, and try one respectful solution. The counselor uses puppets to act out common classroom conflicts and has students choose which solution is safe, kind, and helpful.

Grade Level: K

Subject Area: School Counseling (Problem-Solving • Respectful Choices • Peer Conflict)

Total Unit Duration: 1–2 weeks, 30 minutes per session

I. Introduction

This Kindergarten counseling lesson helps students learn a simple routine for solving everyday peer problems. Students practice the steps stop, think, choose so they can pause before grabbing, yelling, pushing, or giving up. The lesson shows that small problems can often be handled with words, safe bodies, taking turns, sharing, asking for help, or trying a respectful choice.

The counselor uses puppets, picture cards, classroom scenarios, or a simple problem-solving path to model common conflicts, such as two students wanting the same toy, someone cutting in line, a classmate knocking down blocks, or a disagreement during a game. Students learn to name the problem, think of choices, and choose one safe, kind, and helpful solution. The goal is for students to begin building early problem-solving habits they can use throughout the school day.

Essential Questions

• What can students do before reacting to a problem?
• How can students name a problem?
• What are safe choices for solving small peer problems?
• How can students solve problems without hurting others?
• When should students ask an adult for help?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Identify simple problem-solving steps: stop, name the problem, think of choices, and try a safe solution.
2. Name common Kindergarten peer problems, such as wanting the same toy, not getting a turn, disagreeing about a game, or having materials taken.
3. Practice pausing before reacting to a peer problem.
4. Choose safe, kind, and respectful solutions for common classroom conflicts.
5. Use words, adult help, or agreed classroom strategies to solve problems without hurting others.
6. Practice respectful phrases such as “Can I have a turn when you are done?” “Let’s take turns,” “Please stop,” and “Can you help us?”
7. (Optional Session) Apply problem-solving steps through puppet scenarios, picture sorting, solution matching, role-play, or a stop-think-choose reflection page.

Standards Alignment — Grade K (ASCA-based Custom)

• C:S4.Kb — Use Simple Problem-Solving Steps
  • Practice simple steps such as stop, name the problem, think of choices, and try a safe solution.
  • Example: A student practices saying, “Can I have a turn when you are done?”
• C:S4.Kc — Solve Peer Problems Respectfully
  • Use words, adult help, or agreed classroom strategies to solve conflicts without hurting others.
  • Example: A student chooses to ask a teacher for help instead of grabbing a toy back.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can stop before I react.
• I can name the problem.
• I can think of safe choices.
• I can choose a kind and helpful solution.
• I can use words instead of grabbing or pushing.
• I can ask an adult for help when I need it.
• I can solve peer problems respectfully.