💛 SELGrade 2Lesson 18
← Back🔒 PDF with full access

Think Before Reacting

Lesson preview: the Mini Lesson and Vocabulary are open to everyone. Guided practice, exercises, the parent checklist and the printable PDF worksheet come with full access (free 7-day trial or membership).

Learning Objectives

  • 1Put the four steps of Think, Pause and decide
  • 2Act in the correct order
  • 3Explain why pausing before reacting leads to better outcomes
📘

Mini Lesson

Has anyone ever said something that made you SO angry that you wanted to shout right back? That fast, automatic response is called an impulse. Learning to pause before you act on an impulse is one of the most powerful skills you can build.

Reacting vs. responding

  • Reacting is fast and automatic — you act before you think.
  • Responding is thoughtful — you pause, think, and then choose.
  • Reactions often make things worse. Responses usually make things better.

The 4 steps: Think, Pause, Decide, Act

  • Think — notice what you are feeling and what just happened.
  • Pause — take a breath, count to five, or step away for a moment.
  • Decide — ask yourself: "What is the best choice I can make right now?"
  • Act — carry out your thoughtful, chosen response.

Pause strategies

  • Take three slow, deep breaths.
  • Count slowly to five before speaking.
  • Walk away for a moment and come back when you feel calmer.
  • Squeeze your hands tightly, then let go and relax.
Think Pause Decide Act four step chainFour connected boxes in a horizontal chain showing the steps Think, Pause, Decide, and Act with arrows between them, with a reacting vs responding comparison below.Think - Pause - Decide - ActThinknoticePausebreatheDecidechooseActrespondReactingFast and automaticAct before thinkingOften makes it worseRespondingPause, then chooseThink before actingUsually makes it better
The four-step chain and a comparison of impulsive reacting versus thoughtful responding.
Four pause strategiesFour illustrated pause strategy cards: take three deep breaths, count to five, walk away for a moment, and squeeze then relax your hands.Pause StrategiesTake 3 slowdeep breaths5Count slowlyto fiveWalk away fora momentSqueeze hands,then release
Four pause strategies — deep breaths, count to five, walk away, and squeeze then release.
💡

Ask yourself: "Am I about to react or respond? What would happen if I paused for just five seconds before acting?"

Vocabulary
Impulse
A fast, automatic urge to acte.g. An impulse made me want to shout back.
React
To act quickly without thinkinge.g. Reacting often makes things worse.
Respond
To answer thoughtfully after pausinge.g. I respond by taking a breath first.
Pause
A short stop before you acte.g. A five-second pause helps me cool down.
Decide
To choose carefullye.g. I decide what to do next after I pause.
Free · 7 days · No credit card

Unlock the full HSEA system for 7 days.

Add your first kid profile and your 7 days start: every lesson in every grade, saved progress for each child. Nothing to set up, no card required, nothing to cancel.

  • ✓ All 1,680 lessons, Grades 1–6, every subject
  • ✓ Profiles + saved progress for every kid
  • ✓ Printable lessons with answer key
Start your 7-day free trial →
Already convinced? See full membership plans →
← Lesson 17: Recognize Right vs. Wrong ChoicesLesson 19: Be Responsible Online →