Counselora · Student Support
Keeping hands on your own work while waiting: school support guide
Grades K–2 · Ready-made original
Keeping hands on your own work while waiting: school support plan
Support focus
Choose a safe hand activity while waiting.
Example situation
Sol is waiting for the glue. Sol starts tapping a classmate’s paper. The classmate wants the paper left alone.
Student words or action
Sol puts hands on their own paper and draws three dots while waiting. The adult offers another safe hand activity if needed.
Adult response
“Would a brief pause, a quieter way to take part, or help with the next step be useful?”
A supported practice
A child is waiting for a pencil and reaches for someone else's work.
What could their hands do while waiting?
An example response: Keep hands on their own paper and ask for a spare pencil.
A second practice
A child has to wait for help with a drawing.
What could their hands do while waiting?
An example response: Draw small dots on their own scrap paper or rest hands while waiting.
Student check-in page
Read aloud. Point, draw, tell, or pass.
Choose one story. What could their hands do while waiting?
Support choices
□ Read the direction together □ Show one example □ Write the question instead of saying it □ Practice with an adult □ Watch first, then choose whether to try
A brief check-in
Question: What could their hands do while waiting?