The PAUSE button is back!

If you ask a Primary student about the PAUSE button – they will be able to tell you what it is and why it is important that we remember to use it. As we encourage our students to be the kind of friend which demonstrates the love, kindness and care of Jesus, the PAUSE button is a reminder to slow down, to think and to demonstrate self-control as they learn and play with their peers.

Self-control is not something children simply “have” or “don’t have,” but a character trait that grows over time with patience and guidance. Every small step—pausing before reacting, using kind words and thoughtful actions, waiting their turn and playing fairly lays a great foundation in the everyday for children to build upon, even when friendships are hard. 

Consider the following scenarios:

1. Little Billy joins his friends for a game of down ball. They play happily for a while, until he strikes the ball, it goes over the line and Sally yells out, ‘YOU’RE OUT’. This sends Billy into a spin, and he begins to argue and dispute the call. The game comes to a sudden stop as Billy and Sally find themselves in the RED zone. Billy takes the ball away instead of pushing the PAUSE button...now no one can play.

2. Molly and Peggy love to talk about the episode of Bluey they have watched at home. Susie thinks that Bluey is silly and begins to argue that Paw Patrol is much better than Bluey. Unkind words are exchanged, and emotions become heightened. A teacher hears the children as they continue to argue and decides that it is time to press the PAUSE button!

3. Kathy, Bobby and Lizzy are enjoying a lunchtime chat. The three friends are laughing, sharing stories and having a good time. Henry joins the group and constantly interrupts, talking over the top of the others, finishing their sentences and not listening to what they have to say, leaving them frustrated and annoyed. Bobby, a good friend to Henry, pushes the PAUSE button to calm the situation.

In each of these interactions, as the PAUSE button is pressed, it is a reminder to take a deep breath, to calm down, to count, to rest, to walk away, or to think about the words and actions that will follow.

Sometimes children can do this by themselves, other times they need their friends to help them and at other times they need the encouragement of the adults that love and care to help them press the PAUSE button. As we do this, the journey of developing self-control becomes a shared one as we help our children to grow in character and kindness, which helps them to flourish in their friendships.