Schools Resource Hub
Pause Pebble Card
A tiny waiting tool for excited bodies, tricky turns, and moments when children need help slowing down.
Use the Pause Pebble before a child is overwhelmed, especially during parties, performances, lining up, turn-taking games, and high-energy provision.
The message is that excitement is welcome, and bodies sometimes need help waiting.
Teacher Script
“Excited bodies can feel jumpy.”
“We can keep the joy and add a pause.”
“Hold the pebble. Feel its edges. Breathe in. Breathe out.”
“Your turn can come.”
Child Prompt
“I can wait with my pebble.”
Steps
- Give the child a pebble, token, or small tactile object.
- Invite them to hold it in both hands.
- Guide one slow breath in and one slow breath out.
- Name what is happening next.
- Use a short waiting phrase.
- Praise the waiting effort, not only the outcome.
Printable Copy
Pause Pebble:
Hold the pebble.
Feel its edges.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Say:
“I can wait with my pebble.”
“My turn can come.”
“My body can slow down.”
Provision Link
Useful in:
- turn-taking games
- cloakroom waiting
- performance practice
- snack time
- busy festive weeks
Family Bridge
We are practising that excitement can be joyful and still need a pause.
Home phrase:
“I am excited and I can wait.”
Observation Look-Fors
- child holds or uses the pause object
- child waits with adult support
- child begins to use waiting language
- child recovers more quickly after excitement or frustration
Wellbeing Note
Menthol Elf school resources support everyday emotional literacy, classroom wellbeing, and gentle discussion. They are not therapy, counselling, safeguarding advice, behaviour intervention, or a replacement for school policies or specialist support.