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Someone Says “Stop”

Roo Bloom · Social Stories · roobloom.com

  1. We are playing chaseyAt the park, my friend and I play chasey around the big tree.
  2. My friend says stopMy friend holds up a hand and says, “Stop!”
  3. I might feel surprisedI might feel surprised or disappointed. I was having fun!
  4. “Stop” means stopWhen someone says “stop”, I stop — even if I’m having fun.
  5. Helping my body stopStopping fast can feel hard. My body can help.

    I could try… Squeeze my hands, then let go · Take slow breaths · Count slowly

  6. I can check inI can check that my friend is okay.

    I can say: “I stopped. Are you okay?”

  7. We can choose what’s nextWe can play again later if they want to, or play something new.
  8. I can say stop tooI can say “stop” too. My body belongs to me.

    I can say: “Stop, please. That’s too much.”

  9. My “stop” mattersWhen I say “stop”, other people need to stop too.
  10. If someone doesn’t stopIf someone doesn’t stop, I can move away and tell a grown-up.

    I can say: “I said stop, and they didn’t stop.”

  11. Stopping is kindWhen I stop, my friends know they are safe playing with me.
  12. I am learningI am learning that “stop” means stop — for everyone.

I can remember

  • “Stop” means stop, even in fun.
  • Their body belongs to them.
  • My body belongs to me. I can say stop.
  • If someone doesn’t stop, I tell a grown-up.
  • My feelings are okay.
For grown-ups

What this story teaches

That “stop” in play means stop straight away, even mid-fun, because the other person’s body belongs to them — and that the same is true for the child: their “stop” matters, and if someone doesn’t stop, they can move away and tell an adult.

When to use it

  • Before playdates with rough-and-tumble, chasing or tickling.
  • After a game where someone got upset because play didn’t stop.
  • When teaching your child that they can say no to tickling, wrestling or touch.

For this story

  • Model it: when your child says “stop” during tickling or rough play, stop at once, every time. It teaches their word works.
  • Agree a stop signal for loud games (a hand up, or “pause”) as well as the word.
  • Tell your child clearly that telling a grown-up when someone won’t stop is never “telling tales”. Follow up when they do.

How to use it

  • Read it together on a calm day, not mid-meltdown. In the hard moment itself, fewer words help more: stay close, keep everyone safe, and save the story for later.
  • Read it again just before a tricky moment you can see coming: on the way to the park, the night before a haircut.
  • Make it fit your child: skip pages, stop when they’ve had enough, swap a detail as you read so it matches your child’s day, or read only the “I can remember” card.
  • Add your child’s first name on the story’s opening page and it appears in a line or two. The name stays in this browser and is never sent anywhere.
  • Use the story’s words in real life (“No means not right now”), and model them when you hear “no” too.
  • Notice tries, not perfect calm. Big feelings are allowed; the story is about what to do with them.

Good to know

  • These stories are for everyday disappointments and changes. They never mean a child should put up with pain, fear, unsafe touch, bullying or anything that hurts — telling a trusted adult is always the right answer there.
  • Nothing here asks a child to make eye contact, hug anyone — family included — stop stimming or stop crying. Crying and moving are ways bodies cope, and headphones or a break are always allowed.
  • Where a story says a grown-up will do something — stop when a hand goes up, give a warning, keep a “later” spot — make sure it really happens, or change that page. A signal that isn’t honoured teaches a child their words don’t work.
  • The aim is understanding and choices, not a quiet or compliant child. Asking “why?”, saying no to touch and disagreeing in words are skills to welcome.
  • Visual stories help many children and not every child. Adapt, skip or change any page. This is an educational resource, not therapy or medical advice.