Stop and Stay Calm (S.T.O.P.)
- 1Print it first. Read it once together and talk it through.
- 2Exercises on paper, then correct together with the answer key.
- 3Next day: a 10-minute review here on screen saves progress.
What you will learn
- 1Name the four S.T.O.P. steps in order
- 2Use slow breathing to calm down and think
- 3Look around for clues like landmarks and the trail
- 4Choose to stay put and call for help when lost
Mini Lesson
Sometimes things go wrong outdoors. You might lose sight of your grown-up, or the trail might look strange. Feeling scared is normal - it happens to everyone, even grown-ups. The trick is to S.T.O.P. These four letters help you calm down and make a smart choice.
🌿 The Wild Way (S.T.O.P. when something goes wrong)
- S IS FOR STOP: stand still right where you are. Do not run.
- T IS FOR THINK: take slow, deep breaths. Ask, "What do I know?"
- O IS FOR OBSERVE: look around. Find landmarks, the trail, and the way your grown-up went.
- CHECK YOUR THINGS: what are you carrying? A whistle, a jacket, water, a snack?
- P IS FOR PLAN: the safest plan is usually to stay where you are.
- CALL FOR HELP: use your voice or your whistle so people can find you.
Never run or wander off to find the way when you feel lost. Running makes you more scared and takes you farther from the people looking for you. Stop, stay where you are, and call for help.
Words to know
S.T.O.P.
Four steps for when something goes wrong: Stop, Think, Observe, Plan.
e.g. I felt lost, so I used S.T.O.P.
calm
Quiet and steady inside, not rushing or panicking.
e.g. Slow breaths helped me stay calm.
observe
To look carefully and notice things around you.
e.g. I observe the trail and the big rock.
landmark
Something easy to see and remember, like a big tree, a rock, or a stream.
e.g. The tall pine tree is a landmark.
plan
A choice you make about what to do next.
e.g. My plan is to stay here and call for help.
stay put
To stay in one place and not wander off.
e.g. When you are lost, stay put.
🧠 Survivor’s Trick: breathe in slowly while you count to four, then breathe out slowly while you count to four. Do it three times. Slow breaths help your body calm down so your brain can think clearly.
Guided Practice
Pick a word from the Trace menu and look at the model. Use Copy mode to write it yourself on the lined pad, or switch to Trace if you want to pass over the ghost letters. Tap 🔍 Bigger for a fullscreen practice canvas.
Tip: Say each word aloud as you copy it.
Exercises
Put the four S.T.O.P. steps in the correct order.
Tap the best choice for each moment.
You look up and cannot see your grown-up. What do you do FIRST?
Your heart is beating fast and you feel scared. What helps most?
You have calmed down. What do you look for now?
You still cannot see your grown-up. What is the safest plan?
You have a whistle on a cord. How can it help you?
Pick the best answer for each question.
1. What does the S in S.T.O.P. stand for?
2. What does the T in S.T.O.P. stand for?
3. What does the O in S.T.O.P. stand for?
4. What is usually the safest plan when you are lost?
5. Is it normal to feel scared when something goes wrong?
6. Why do slow breaths help?
7. Which of these is a landmark?
8. Why should you NOT run when you feel lost?
Parent Checklist
For the parent: after correcting together, check off what your child has really understood