Pause, Choose, Connect Worksheet

Name:

Date:

Part 1: Pause and Notice

STOP is a strategy that helps you pause before you act.

Stop: Pause your body and words.
Take a breath: Breathe in slowly and breathe out slowly.
Observe: Notice your feelings, body clues, thoughts, and choices.
Proceed: Choose a safe, respectful, and helpful next step.

1. Match each emotion with the body clue that may go with it. Write the correct letter beside each number.

1. Worried: ______

2. Angry: ______

3. Excited: ______

4. Sad: ______

A. Tight muscles or a hot face

B. Tears or a heavy feeling

C. Fast heartbeat or butterflies

D. Smiling, energy, or a quick heartbeat

2. Which actions can be healthy ways to cope with a strong feeling? Check all that apply.

Take slow breaths

Talk with a trusted person

Yell hurtful words

Take a safe break

Write or draw about the feeling

Part 2: Pause, Choose, Connect

Read each situation. Use STOP. Identify the feeling, choose a healthy coping strategy, and write a respectful response.

3. A group is making a poster, but one person keeps changing your ideas without asking.

Feeling and body clue:

Healthy coping strategy:

Respectful response:

4. You studied for a quiz, but you receive a lower score than you expected.

Feeling and body clue:

Healthy coping strategy:

Respectful response:

5. At recess, a classmate says you cannot join a game. You feel left out.

Feeling and body clue:

Healthy coping strategy:

Respectful response:

6. How can asking a trusted adult for help be a strong and healthy choice?

Teacher Answer Guide

1. 1-C, 2-A, 3-D, 4-B

2. Take slow breaths; talk with a trusted person; take a safe break; write or draw about the feeling.

3–5. Answers will vary. Look for:

• An emotion that fits the situation and a reasonable body clue.

• A safe coping strategy, such as breathing, counting, taking a break, journaling, moving safely, or asking for help.

• A respectful response that uses calm words, listens, names the problem, or suggests a fair solution.

6. Answers should explain that a trusted adult can listen, provide safety, offer ideas, and help solve a problem. Students should seek help when a problem feels too big, unsafe, or difficult to handle alone.