Ready Set Reset Slides
Ages 3-5 Social-Emotional Learning
Ready, Set, Reset!
When plans change or it is time to stop playing, we can find our calm together.
🐢
💨
🦖
Circle Time Presentation
It is Hard to Stop!
How Do We Feel?
🦖
"Not finished yet!"
Like a roaring dinosaur, we might feel super loud and angry when play-time ends.
Big Feelings are OK!
Feeling sad, mad, or disappointed is normal when a fun thing has to stop.
Our Brains Need Help
When we are super upset, our brain gets "stuck." We can help it reset!
Ready Set Reset Slide 2 of 8
The "First, Then" Roadmap
Visual Map
Knowing what comes next helps our minds feel safe and ready to move on.
1. FIRST
🧼
Clean Up Time
Put our materials in their cozy home
Next Step!
2. THEN
🥪
Yummy Lunch
Fuel our bodies for more afternoon fun
Ready Set Reset Slide 3 of 8
Somatic Tool: The Turtle Tuck
Physical Calming
When big feelings make you want to squeeze or yell, try the Turtle Tuck:
1
Pull your shoulders way up to your ears!
2
Tuck your chin in tight, like a cozy shell.
3
Squeeze tight, take a deep breath... and let go!
🐢
"I can be safe and cozy!"
Squeezing and releasing helps the tight energy leave our arms, legs, and belly.
Ready Set Reset Slide 4 of 8
Somatic Tool: Blow the Candle
Deep Breathing
🎂
Smell the cake, blow the candles!
Deep, slow breaths are like magic spells that calm down our busy racing hearts.
Let's Try It Together:
Hold up 5 fingers. Each finger is a colorful candle!
🌸
1. Smell the Flower
Take a big, deep breath in through your nose to smell a sweet flower.
🌬️
2. Blow Out 1 Candle
Blow out long and slow through your mouth. Fold down one finger!
Repeat until all 5 candles are gently blown out.
Ready Set Reset Slide 5 of 8
Safe Ways to Let It Out!
Big Energy
Sometimes breathing isn't enough, and our body has a lot of extra "hot" energy. We can let it out safely!
🛏️
The Shout Pillow
Squeeze a soft pillow tightly against your face and yell your mad feelings inside!
📄
The Paper Tear
Rip up scrap newspaper or coloring pages into tiny bits to let the hand-squeezes out!
👣
Dino Stomp
Stomp your feet on the rug like a giant, heavy dinosaur. Get that stomp out!
Ready Set Reset Slide 6 of 8
Let's Practice: What Do We Do?
Practice Game
Oh No! The Scenario:
"The teacher says it is time to pack up the playdough. But we just built an awesome castle!"
🐢
1. Turtle Tuck
Squeeze tight to protect our big disappointment
🌬️
2. First / Then
First: Pack playdough. Then: Go outdoors!
🤝
3. Save It!
Take a quick picture or leave a 'keep' sign on it
Ready Set Reset Slide 7 of 8
Our Reset Anthem
Sing Along
🎶
The "Ready, Set, Reset" Song
(To the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star")
"It is time to stop our play,"
"We will find another way."
"First we clean, then comes the next,"
"Breathe in deep and do your best."
"Ready, set, reset our brain,"
"Sun is coming after rain!"
You are a Reset Hero!
Remember, stopping is hard, but your body is strong and your feelings are safe with us.
🌟
We Can Do Hard Things!
Give yourself a big, tight hug!
Ready Set Reset Slide 8 of 8
Calm Connection Caregiver Guide
Caregiver & Parent Resource
Calm Connection Guide
Supporting transitions and big feelings when playtime ends
PAGE 1 OF 2
Why transitions are so hard at Age 4
Four-year-olds are developing independence but still have a highly sensitive amygdala (the brain's emotional center) and an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex. When forced to switch activities, they experience a sudden feeling of loss and lack the cognitive flexibility to adapt instantly. This triggers a biological "fight or flight" response, which looks like a tantrum but is actually dysregulation.
The Co-Regulation Roadmap
1
Acknowledge
Name their desire and accept their frustration. Do not try to reason or minimize the issue.
"You were building a great tower and you want to keep playing!"
2
Somatic Bridge
Introduce a somatic action (breathing, tensing, hugging) to lower their racing heart rate.
"Your body is tight. Let's do a Turtle Tuck to find our calm."
3
First-Then Pivot
Use a concrete, sequential contract. Show them what is next, giving them a reward step.
"First, we put blocks in the bin. Then, we can head to the park."
Active Boundary Setting
It is safe to feel angry, but it is not safe to hurt people or break objects. Set physical boundaries firmly and with love:
"I cannot let you hit me. I am going to move back to keep us both safe."
"If you want to rip something, here is scrap paper you can tear."
Visual Support Tips
Abstract time concepts ("In 5 minutes!") do not register with a 4-year-old. Try these visual alternatives instead:
- Sand Timers: Let them watch sand drop.
- Progress Tracks: "Color a box each time we clean up."
- Leaving Notes: Write a physical 'Keep' sign on drawings to assure them it will remain safe.
✂️
Printable Coping Deck Included!
Cut out the cards on Page 2 and place them on a ring for quick visual access.
Ready Set Reset Handout Series © 2026 Home & School Connections
Print & Cut Tool
My Printable Calm Cards
Cut along the dashed lines. Use these cards as visual choices when feelings run high.
PAGE 2 OF 2
SOMATIC 🐢
The Turtle Tuck
Pull your shoulders high, tuck your chin in deep. Squeeze like a turtle in a shell, then let go!