Handy Helper Script Handy Helper Script
A guided script for teachers to facilitate calming strategy practice with Kindergarteners.
The Hook: Our Inner Builders
"Hi Builders! Today, we aren't building with blocks or LEGOs. We are building something even more important: A Calm-Down Toolbox! Sometimes our feelings get very big—like a loud hammer or a spinning saw. When that happens, we need special tools to help our bodies feel calm and ready to learn again."
Tool #1: The Belly Balloon
Breathing
Invite students to place their hands on their tummies.
"Imagine there is a colorful balloon inside your belly. When we breathe in through our noses, we want to fill that balloon up! Feel your hands move out as the balloon grows... 1, 2, 3. Now, let the air out slowly through your mouth like a tiny leak... ssssss. Feel the balloon get small again."
Repeat 3 times. Ask: "Does your belly feel soft or tight now?"
Tool #2: The Starfish Hand
Focus
Have students hold up one hand with fingers spread wide.
"Put your starfish hand up! Use your pointer finger from your other hand to be the 'climber.' We are going to climb up the mountain (breathe in) and slide down the valley (breathe out). Start at your thumb. Climb up... and slide down. Move to the next finger. Up... and down."
Continue until all five fingers are traced. Ask: "Are your fingers tingly or calm?"
Page Break
Tool #3: Squeeze the Lemon
Muscle Relaxation
Ask students to make tight fists with both hands.
"Imagine you have a sour lemon in each hand. We need to squeeze all the juice out! Squeeze your hands tight, tight, tight. Scrunch up your face too! Squeeze for 3... 2... 1... and DROP the lemons. Let your hands go floppy like cooked spaghetti. Feel the 'juice' of your feelings just melt away."
Repeat 2 times. Ask: "Do your arms feel heavy or light?"
Tool #4: The Happy Picture
Mindfulness
Invite students to close their eyes or look at their laps.
"Close your eyes and think of a place where you feel totally happy and safe. Maybe it's your bed, or the park, or hugging a pet. What do you see? What do you hear? Take a big breath of that happy place. Keep that picture in your head like a photograph in your pocket."
Wait 10 seconds. Ask: "What color was your happy place?"
Selecting Your Tools
"Now that we've tried all four tools, think about which ones made your body feel the best. Which ones would you want to use when you're frustrated or sad? Choose your top two favorites for your Calm-Down Card!"
1
Belly Balloon
2
Starfish Hand
3
Lemon Squeeze
4
Happy Picture
Toolbox Tranquility Plan Toolbox Tranquility Plan
Kindergarten | 30 Minutes | Social-Emotional Learning
Learning Objective
Students will practice and select two calming strategies to include in a personal calm-down card for self-regulation.
Key Concepts
Self-Management Mindfulness Breathing
The Builder's Kit (Materials)
Tools for Cool Slides
Handy Helper Script
Strategy Stations Posters
My Calm Card (Student Copy)
Crayons & Glue Sticks
Calming Background Music
Lesson Blueprint (Arc)
5
Introduction: Big Feelings Workshop
Use Tools for Cool Slides to introduce the concept of big feelings. Explain that everyone has them, but we need "tools" to help. Hand out the "Hard Hats" (imaginary) and set the stage.
15
The Circuit: Strategy Stations
Students rotate in 4 small groups through the stations. Use the Handy Helper Script to lead the practice. After each rotation, ask: "How does your body feel?"
Station 1: The Balloon
Station 2: The Starfish
Station 3: The Lemon
Station 4: Happy Picture
8
The Workbench: My Calm Card
Students return to desks. They select the two strategies that worked best for them. They cut out the icons and glue them onto their My Calm Card . Personalize with color.
2
Final Inspection: Practice & Store
Hold up cards. Practice one favorite as a group. Students place cards in their "storage unit" (desk or cubby) to use when they feel a "Big Hammer" coming on.
Builder's Adjustments (Differentiation)
For Visual Learners:
Use the Slide Deck icons during every rotation so students associate the visual with the movement.
For High Energy:
Focus more on "The Lemon" (muscle tension/release) to help physically discharge energy.
Tools for Cool Slides Tools for Cool
Build Your Calm-Down Toolbox
Sometimes Feelings are... BIG!
LOUD
HEAVY
SHARP
We are Builders!
"A builder uses tools to fix things. We use tools to fix our big feelings!"
The Belly Balloon
IN
Fill your belly balloon with air.
OUT
Let the air out like a tiny leak.
The Starfish
Trace your fingers like climbing a mountain!
The Lemon
SQUEEZE!
Tight hands, tight face, tight body!
DROP!
Let the sour feeling melt away.
The Happy Picture
Close your eyes. Imagine your favorite place. Keep that picture in your heart.
Your Turn!
Which 2 TOOLS would you put in your toolbox?
Strategy Stations Station 1
The Belly Balloon
1 Hands on your tummy.
2 Fill it up with air!
3 Let it out slowly... ssss.
Station 2
The Starfish
1 High five in the air!
2 Trace up the finger (In).
3 Trace down the finger (Out).
Station 3
The Lemon
1 Fists tight like lemons!
2 Squeeze all the juice out!
3 DROP them. Go floppy.
Station 4
Happy Picture
1 Close your eyes.
2 Think of a happy place.
3 Take a deep, happy breath.
My Calm Card Activity Name:
Date:
My Calm Card
Pick your TOP 2 tools and glue them into your toolbox!
Tool 1
Tool 2
I can be a calm builder!
Cut along the dotted lines
The Belly
The Starfish
The Lemon
The Happy
Keep your Calm Card in your desk or cubby to help you build calm whenever you need it!
