Calm Strategy Cards Calm Down Strategy Cards
Set 1 of 2 • Cut along dotted lines, laminate, and punch hole on corner for ring lanyard
Cut-Out Cards
Breathe
Starfish Breath
Trace fingers to breathe
Trace UP finger: Breathe IN
Trace DOWN: Breathe OUT
Repeat 5 times • One for each finger
Body Squeeze
Cozy Bear Hug
Wrap arms tight around self
Cross arms across your chest
Squeeze shoulders snug: 1 - 2 - 3
Deep pressure calms my racing body
Muscle Reset
Lemon Squeeze
Tight fists, then soft hands
Squeeze fists tight like lemons!
Drop the lemons & shake hands loose
Tense for 3 sec • Relax like jelly
Sensory
Cool Water Sip
Sip slow, cool tummy down
Take 3 tiny, slow swallows
Feel cool water travel to tummy
Drinking resets heart rate and breathing
Co-Regulation Tip: Practice these cards when your child is calm. Point to two cards and ask: "Which calm tool feels good today?"
Cards 1-4
Calm Down Strategy Cards
Set 2 of 2 • Movement & Quiet Tools + Feeling Check-In Badges
Cut-Out Cards
Quiet Space
Turtle Shell
Tuck down in your shell
Crouch down, tuck chin to chest
Rest quietly until safe to peek out
Blocks out loud noise & big excitement
Heavy Work
Wall Push
Push hard with flat palms
Plant hands flat against the wall
Push strong! Count: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Sends calming input to big muscles
Comfort
Cozy Squish
Hug a pillow or soft toy
Hug a stuffed buddy or soft blanket
Rest cheek softly and take 3 breaths
Gentle warmth and softness soothes nerves
Exhale
Blow Candle
Slow breath out: Whooosh
Hold up 3 fingers like birthday candles
Blow each candle out with a long puff
Long exhalations trigger calming parasympathetic response
Check-In Badges (Cut & attach to front of ring): "Right now my body feels..." Child points to face
😡
MAD / RED
Hot body, fists tight
😢
SAD / BLUE
Tears, slow body
⚡
WIGGLY / FAST
Bouncy, can't stop
😊
CALM / READY
Soft body, listening
Calm Explorers Lesson Plan Early Childhood SEL • Ages 3-5 (Pre-K)
Pacing: 25 Min Circle + Centers
Calm Explorers Lesson Plan
Teaching 4-year-olds to detect internal body cues, label big feelings, and practice safe calming choices.
Core Learning Outcomes
• Identify when body is in "fast/hot mode" (tight fists, stompy feet, loud voice).
• Name 2 favorite calming choices from the Calm Strategy Cards .
• Practice co-regulated deep breathing (Starfish or Candle Breath) with teacher support.
Materials Needed
✔ Calm Strategy Cards (Set 1 & 2)
✔ Class stuffed mascot (e.g., Bear)
✔ Chime or soft bell
✔ Calm Choices Activity Sheets
✔ Calm Corner mirror & pillow
Step 1: Circle Warm-Up & Regulation Song (5 Mins)
Whole Group
Gather children on carpet dots. Ring chime. Sing to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It" :
🎵 "When your body feels too fast and needs a break, (wiggle fast, then FREEZE!)"
🎵 "When your body feels too fast and needs a break, (shake hands, then STILL!)"
🎵 "You can put your hand in star, take a breath from where you are..."
🎵 "Blow the candle slow and long... whew, we're calm!" (Soft exhale together)
Step 2: Puppet / Puppet Mascot Story & Explicit Modeling (10 Mins)
Educator Script
Teacher Dialogue (Holding Stuffed Bear):
"Look at Barnaby Bear's tall block tower. Oh no! A friend bumped it by accident and CRASH! Look at Barnaby's paws—they are balled into tight rocks! Look at his eyebrows—pulled down tight! What is Barnaby's body feeling?"
Prompt class: "Is his body feeling red/mad or wiggly? Yes, he has mad volcano energy inside!"
Introducing the Tool Cards:
"It is 100% okay for Barnaby to feel mad. Mad is not bad! But Barnaby cannot hit or throw blocks. So he reaches for his Calm Strategy Cards . Let's help him pick: Should he try the Lemon Squeeze or the Wall Push ?"
Action: Have every child stand, put palms on imaginary wall, push for 5 seconds: "1, 2, 3, 4, 5... Soft sigh!"
Developmental Note: 4-year-olds need sensory-motor strategies first. Logic and reason cannot reach an escalated preschool brain until their motor system is reset.
Calm Body Explorers Lesson Plan • Page 1 of 2 Early Childhood SEL
Calm Choices Activity Sheet My Calm Choices Sheet
Calm Body Explorers • Pre-K Hands-On Activity
Name:
Date:
1 How does your body feel right now? (Circle or point)
Pick 1 face
😡
MAD
Hot & Tight
😢
SAD
Tears & Slow
⚡
WIGGLY
Fast & Bouncy
😊
CALM
Soft & Ready
2 Trace the calm path with your crayon!
Fine-Motor Practice
⚡ Fast Body
Starfish Breath
😢 Sad Heart
Cozy Bear Hug
3 Draw or color YOUR favorite calm tool!
Pick what helps you
Draw a pillow, drinking water, big bear hug, or pushing the wall:
Starfish Breath Bear Hug Water Sip Wall Push
I am a Calm Body Explorer!
I can notice my feelings and choose a calm tool.
Teacher Stamp
Calm Kids Caregiver Guide Family Take-Home Guide • Post on the Refrigerator!
Calm Kids Caregiver Guide
Ages 3–5
Co-Regulation Tools
The Golden Rule for Age 4: Co-Regulation Before Self-Regulation
A four-year-old brain cannot calm down through logic or isolated time-outs. When emotions flood their nervous system, they borrow your calm. Your slowed breathing, lowered tone, and loving presence are their actual brain anchor.
When a Tantrum or Meltdown Hits: 3 Steps
1 Connect First
Drop down below their eye level. Soften your jaw and shoulders. Avoid questions or lectures—words are overwhelming right now.
Say: "I'm right here with you. You are safe."
2 Offer 2 Choices
Show 2 cards from the Calm Strategy Cards . Giving two concrete sensory choices returns control without arguing.
Say: "Bear Hug or Wall Push?"
3 Reflect & Repair
Wait until their breathing slows and body softens. Only then do we talk about what happened in 1 or 2 warm sentences.
Say: "It was hard to stop playing. You calmed down!"
Everyday Phrase Swaps (Shift from Control to Connection)
When tempted to say:
"Stop crying, it's not a big deal!"
Try saying instead:
"It feels really big to you right now. I hear you."
When tempted to say:
"If you throw that toy one more time, you lose it!"
Try saying instead:
"Your hands want to throw. Let's squeeze lemons or throw pillows."
When tempted to say:
"Use your words! Tell me what you want!"
Try saying instead:
"You don't need words yet. Let's take a cool water sip together."
Build a 5-Minute Home Calm Basket
Put this in a quiet cozy nook—never as a punishment or timeout:
• The Calm Strategy Cards on a ring
• One soft stuffed animal or blanket
• A small bottle of bubbles or pinwheel
• A squeeze ball or playdough tub
Bedtime "Starfish" Wind-Down
Before lights out, lay hand-on-tummy and practice together:
"Trace one finger: breathe in peace. Trace down: breathe out the wiggles. My body is safe, cozy, and ready for sleep."
Calm Kids Caregiver Guide • Calm Body Explorers SEL Series Preschool & Kindergarten Readiness