Cues are words that kids of all ages can say to themselves to correct a “bad habit” (i.e. problematic behavior). Important ingredients to a cue’s success are rhythm, repetition, rhyming, and humor.
Looking for Cues to Use? Here are some cues to help or to provide inspiration:
Cues To Use List
- I’m smart.
- It’s in my heart.
- Learning is your (my) ticket to a good life. (When it comes to learning)
- Everyone gets to the top.
- There is no such thing as a bad kid, just bad luck and bad choices.
- It’s my turn to learn.
- Done it before, can do it again.
- Stop the hitting…take up knitting.
- If you hit, you’ve quit. (on making the right choice)
- Enough of the rough!
- Don’t touch, as much!
- No Big Deal!
- NBD…easy as 1-2-3!
- NBD…easier than 1-2-3!
- Let it Go. Let it go, Jo(e)!
- Let it go…so (so I can be happy or earn things, etc.)
- STOP, Think, and Act!Cut! (Change the scene)
- Make the right call! (Be a good coach)
- When you’re mad…don’t do bad (or don’t get sad)…just talk or walk!
- If you feel bad today…flick it away.
- If you’re having a bad day, flick it away! (Flick the imaginary mosquito off your shoulder)
- When thinkin’ bad – replace the thought – and don’t get mad.
- When I’m stressed – count to ten or take a break – throw those bad thoughts in the lake.
- Stay in control, that’s the goal.
- Get over it!
- Don’t crash the barge…re-charge!
- I can, I will, I gotta chill.
- A lawyer argues in a courtroom, not the classroom.
- BUDGE…not grudge.
- Let it go, Joe!
- Let it go, so. (so I can do well, earn things, make others proud, etc.)
- Giving in is not a sin.
- If you do it, you will win.
- It ain’t a sin to give in.
- Tell Mr. R. Gue…he’s through!
- Tell Mr. R. to go far!
- Walk through school, act real cool.
- B-r-e-a-t-h in, b-r-e-a-t-h out…lose pout! B-r-e-a-t-h in, b-r-e-a-t-h out…don’t pout!
- Take a breath, count to five…give no jive!
- Take a breath, count to five, make a good choice come alive!
- Take a breath, count to five, watch a good choice come alive!
- Understand it fully, it’s sad to bully.
- Share the air! (Like radio DJs need to do)
- Wait your turn or raise your hand…but don’t jump up!
- Wait your turn and more will learn.
- Raise your hand and not your voice, shows that you (I) can make that choice.
- Please wait your turn, I want to learn.
- Keep the chair on the floor…tip no more!
- Chair’s on the floor or it’s out the door!
- Do the chore, then fly and soar.
- Do the chore, don’t cause a war!
- Cutting in line is not so fine, stay behind the one in line.
- Don’t race for the space, slow your pace.
- If I delay, I win the day!
- If you delay, you win the day!
- Try to delay and win the day.
- Delay and win the day!
- It’s great to wait.
- Great follows wait.
- Napkins on the lap, elbows off the table, sit real straight and call your Aunt Mabel. Say thanks and please, cover your nose if you sneeze, make pleasant conversation and be tops in the nation.
- It ain’t hip to be flip!
- Rude is crude, dude.
- Rude is crude…don’t ruin the mood.
- Don’t dare to swear.Care not to swear.
- If you lose hope, Don’t do dope.
- Do the chore, don’t cause a war!
- Enter with smile, stay for a while
- Enter grumpy, class be bumpy
- Don’t m-o-v-e all over the place.
- Sit and learn with a happy face.
- Sit and learn, it’s your turn!
- Sit and learn, it’s my turn!
- It’s really neat to stay in my seat.
- I can make it if I choose
Only I can make me looseI can make it if I choose
Only I can make me looseSound off
One, Two
Sound off
Three, FourYes, I can make it if I choose
Only I can make me looseI can make it if I choose
Only I can make me loose
- Exercise crummy if you have too much tummy!
- Stay on track, Jack.
- Stay in town, Charlie Brown.
- Hocus, pocus, we need to focus!
- Look up here, not over there!
- Follow directions the first time…is a lovely rhyme.
- Listen – cause you never know what you’re missin’.
- Do what they say and have a great day!
- Do what I’m told, win the Gold!
- Hey Dude – Don’t Exclude!
- Go with the flow, Joe.
- No need to moan, I can start on my own!
- Take it one step at a time…it’s not a crime!
- Do it step after step…that’s the prep!
- Step after step…that’s the prep.
- Don’t get blue, I’ll make it through.
- Find some fun, feel the sun.
- If you’re losin’ hope, think POZ and grab the rope!
- See it a different way and soar today!
- If you’re feeling crummy, make sure there’s fuel in your tummy.
- Don’t intimidate. That’s a thing you (I) should negate!
- It ain’t great to in-tim-i-date.
- If a laugh doesn’t bring a smile, hold it for a while.
- Line up quiet, don’t cause a riot!
- Say what’s true, fibs are through.
- If math’s in pen, it’s minus ten!
- If you’re having a bad day, flick it away! (Flick the imaginary mosquito off your shoulder)
- Make a list…it will assist.
- Make a plan, I know I can!
- Organize and win the prize.
- Reject Mr. (or Mrs.) Per-fect
- Reject per-fect
You’re a BIG CHEESE when you say “PLEASE”!
- Like father like son, one term and you’re done!
- Get it done and have some fun.
- Don’t wait to do it…it’s time to chew it!
- Go for it NOW! You (I) know how!
- Don’t provoke, it’s not a joke.
- Ain’t no reason I can’t read, if my hopeful thoughts are freed!
- Read a word, read a letter, every step makes me better.
- I can read if my hopeful thoughts are freed.
- Read it all for good recall.
- Give kids their space…it’s their place.
- Stay arms lengths away…today.
- Stay arms length away today…unless we play.
- Don’t talk mean, keep it clean.
- Don’t go bro, stay today!
- If you hurt number one, it’s never better when you’re done.
- I can do anything for ___minutes!
- Just do it!
- Think Three! (Three moves ahead, as in chess)
- One step at a time.
- Have no fear, this will be my best year.
- Lose the doubt and WIN this bout!
When kids and adults suffer hits to their self-esteem (which is a rather common occurrence), it’s helpful to view each hit as an injury, like a scrape on your arm…that will go away in a few days.
- It’s an injury and it will heal – that’s the deal!
- Hi Ho! She’ll (He’ll) be back before you know.
- Don’t pick on Bro…be a pro!
- Don’t diss your (my) sis.
- Foolin’ around brings you down!
- Say please and thankie or I’ll need a hankie!
- Say please and thankie or Mrs. _____will need a hankie.
- Behave in music, that’s the trick. That’s my goal. Make it stick!
- Have a heart, be cool in Art.
- No more cussin’, it causes too much fussin’
- Scrap the tap!
- Tell the tap to take a nap.
- Come back from vacation with elation.
- If you take a tink, wash your hands at the sink.
- If you go number two, same thing when you’re thourgh.
- And don’t be in a rush, make sure that you flush
(Use good aim, missing is a shame)
- No butter, no bread. Eat healthy instead
- Forget the soda, Yoda!
Drink more water…cause I oughta! - Think about looking great
And eat HALF of what’s on your plate! - I’ll be light on my feets
If I avoid those sweets! - Exercise every day
Burn and burn those pounds away! - Keep away from food that’s fried
Else I’ll be growing v-e-r-y wide - Don’t be a stinky, chuck the twinky!
- Give a holler, give a hoot
It’s time to eat a lot more fruit - Don’t eat junk-food after five
If you want to stay aliveAt the movies
Don’t indulge…
Or your stomach will groan and bulge
Forget the popcorn, lose the candy
You’ve got the will power
It’s fine and dandy - Eat more greens
Fit into my Jeans
Give a hoot
Eat more fruit - One pound at a time
That’s all it takes
Keep away from cheese and shakes! - One pound at a time
That’s how we lose
So, keep away… from sugar and booze! - One pound at a time
That’s how we drop weight
Looking thinner…is our fate! - If you feeling like cheatin’
Give that bad thought a beatin’ - A worker can’t survive without a salary
But I can live without that calorie! - Visualize yourself a whole lot thinner
And then say “I’ll get there”…cause I’m a winner! - In the morning eat cereal and fruit
Give donuts and muffins a serious boot! - Walk away each extra pound
Put my fat in the lost in found - I’ll walk away each extra pound
Gonna cover lots of ground.
- Write a word, write a letter…every step makes me better!
- It’s right…to write.
- When I’m right…I’m Outtasight!