Cause and Effect — Choices and Consequences Kit (K–2)

About this resource

Push the first domino and the rest tumble; share a toy and a friend smiles. This cause and effect kit starts with toys children can watch and repeat, then moves to everyday choices, so kindergarten through second grade (Grades K–2) see that what we do leads to what happens next. It is a Responsible Decision-Making lesson, and one of the SEL activities where hands-on play carries the idea.

What students practice

• Using cause-and-effect language
• Matching an action to its outcome
• Describing what they did and what happened
• Thinking about effects before they act

What’s inside

• A teacher script with timed steps and a flexible outline, about 30 minutes in all
• 20 matching cause-and-effect cards, such as picking up litter and a cleaner playground
• Cause and Effect Reflection Worksheet, where children draw something they did and what happened next
• Consequence Chart: 12 actions and effects to sort, plus a blank chart
• Story Sheets: ten fill-in stories that end with a better choice for next time; 28 pages

A look inside

• Teacher script: “A consequence is what happens because of something we do.”
• Consequence Chart rows: “Sharing your toys” leads to “Friend is happy”, and “Running indoors” leads to “Someone might get hurt”
• Story Sheets: The Time I Shared My Toys, Telling the Truth and Standing Up for Myself

How to use this cause and effect kit

• Define a consequence, then demonstrate with a toy: press the button, hear the noise
• Let children explore dominoes, ball ramps or wind-up toys and describe what they did and what happened
• Hand out the matching cards so each child finds the partner to their cause or effect and explains why the two belong together
• Close with the sharing circle: why think about consequences, and what might happen if we don’t follow rules?

Grade fit

Toys, matching cards and short fill-in stories suit Grades K–2. Kindergartners can match and talk, while second graders can complete the chart and story sheets.

Good to know

You supply a few simple cause-and-effect toys, such as dominoes, ball ramps or wind-up toys.

Pairs well with

Next, try the Think Before You Act Game, which turns thinking about effects into a stop-and-think habit, or the What Happens Next? kit for older students, more making good choices activities.