Safety Behaviors IEP goals for preschool (ages 3 to 5)
20 of the safety behaviors templates in the library are written for preschool (ages 3 to 5). Each opens in the builder, where the grade band is a starting point and the baseline comes from your own assessment.
20 templates · 1 skill · Pre-K · How we write and review goals
Goals by skill
Numbers are illustrative; set targets from the student's own baseline.
Safety Behaviors Behavior & Classroom Expectations
Stay with the group during walks inside the building
Staying with the group
By the annual IEP review date, during a class walk between rooms with an adult at the front and back of the line, the student will stay within 2 arm's lengths of the group for the whole walk independently in 5 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weekly data summaries, as measured by direct observation collected daily, each walk, summarized weekly.
Hold the adult's hand or the walking ring on walks
Staying with the group
By the annual IEP review date, during a walk from the classroom to the playground while holding an adult's hand or the walking ring, the student will stay holding the adult's hand or the walking ring independently for at least 4 minutes, on 4 of 5 consecutive recorded walks, as measured by duration recording collected daily, 1 to 2 walks.
Stop and stand still at the safety stop cue
Responding to a stop cue
By the annual IEP review date, when an adult gives the safety stop cue ("stop" with a raised hand) while the student is walking or running in a practice area, the student will stop moving and stand still until the adult gives the go cue independently within 2 seconds, on 10 of 10 consecutive recorded cues, as measured by latency recording collected daily, 5 practice cues plus natural cues, summarized weekly.
Stop and turn when their name is called from a distance
Responding to a stop cue
By the annual IEP review date, when an adult calls the student's name from 10 to 20 feet away during outdoor play, the student will stop and turn toward the adult independently within 3 seconds, on 9 of 10 consecutive recorded calls, as measured by latency recording collected daily, 3 to 5 calls, summarized weekly.
Wait at the door or curb until the adult gives the go signal
Waiting at doors and boundaries
By the annual IEP review date, when the group reaches an exterior door, the bus loading area, or a curb during a walk, the student will stop at the marked waiting spot and wait for the adult's go signal before crossing or going through independently in 10 of 10 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weekly data summaries, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected daily, each door or curb, summarized weekly.
Keep hands and feet in own space during transitions and lines
Keeping hands and feet to self
By the annual IEP review date, during a line-up and hallway transition with peers within arm's reach, the student will keep hands and feet in own space (no contact with peers) for the whole transition independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weekly data summaries, as measured by direct observation collected daily, 1 to 2 transitions, summarized weekly.
Preschool safety behaviors goals are measured inside daily routines rather than with worksheets, and the criteria are small: a few opportunities a day, a handful of steps, short periods of time. Conditions name the routine (circle, centers, snack) so any adult in the room can take the data.
Matching data sheets
Each goal above links to the blank sheet built for its measure. These are the sheets this set of goals uses:
- Opportunity trackerRecords each opportunity as independent, prompted, or not demonstrated.Used by 8 goals here
- Duration trackerTimes how long a behavior lasts and compares it with the target duration.Used by 3 goals here
- Latency trackerTimes the gap between a cue and the start of the response.Used by 2 goals here
- Task-analysis checklistMarks each step of a routine as independent, with support, or not completed across sessions.Used by 3 goals here
- Frequency & rate trackerCounts a defined behavior during a fixed observation period. Calculates rate when time is recorded.Used by 4 goals here
Frequently asked questions
What do safety behaviors goals look like for preschool?
They describe a readiness or developmental skill performed during a classroom routine, with a criterion in opportunities or steps. The support level is written in, since most preschool goals start with prompting and fade it.
How often should preschool goals be measured?
A few opportunities on most days, recorded on a trial or task-analysis sheet. Short, frequent samples match how young children show skills.
Does a preschool IEP need the same parts as a school-age IEP?
Yes. Measurable annual goals, present levels, and progress reporting are required at every age under 34 CFR 300.320. Preschool IEPs may also address participation in appropriate activities rather than the general curriculum.
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