Reset Heroes Teacher Guide SEL Intervention β’ Tier 2 / Individualized
Reset Heroes Teacher Guide
Kindergarten
Duration: 15β20 Mins
Target Skill
Managing frustration during hard tasks; replacing outbursts with a 3-step calm routine.
Success Anchor
Student recognizes body cues and initiates 1 coping strategy with an adult visual prompt.
Prep & Tools
Visual Cue Cards, Activity Sheet, sensory prop (pinwheel, feather, or squishy ball).
1
Connect & Body Clues Check-In (4 Mins)
TEACHER TALK:
βHey friend! Sometimes when blocks crash or our pencil won't draw what we want, our body starts to feel really big feelings. That feeling is called frustration . Guess what? Frustration is completely normal! Every kid and grown-up feels it. But did you know your body gives you secret clues before you get mad?β
β
Tight Hands
Clenching fists or jaw
π₯
Warm Cheeks
Face gets hot or red
π
Fast Heart
Heart beating like a drum
Kinesthetic Action: Have the student put one hand on their chest and make a gentle fist, then let it melt open like warm butter.
2
Teach The 3-Step Reset Routine (6 Mins)
Step 1
STOP & FREEZE
Put down the pencil, scissors, or toy. Put hands in lap like a resting turtle.
βHands rest, body still.β
Step 2
BALLOON BREATH
Smell the flower (deep nose inhale), blow out the birthday candle (slow mouth exhale) x3.
βBreathe in slow, breathe out low.β
Step 3
CHOOSE A RESET
Point to a visual tool card: ask for help, squeeze sensory toy, or take 3 sips of water.
βPick one tool to feel ready.β
Reset Heroes Intervention β’ Lesson Guide Page 1 of 2
3
Guided Roleplay & Practice Scenarios (5 Mins)
Walk through these realistic classroom triggers together. Emphasize that practicing while calm builds brain memory for when hard moments happen!
A
The Tricky Scissors Dilemma
Setup: Hand child paper with an intricate curved line. Say: βOh no, the scissors got stuck! Let's pretend your hands feel tight.β
Practice: Model: βStop! Hands in lap. Smell the flower... blow the candle. Teacher, can you help me hold the paper?β
B
The Block Tower Tumble
Setup: Build a 4-block tower and let it tip over gently. Say: βMy tower crashed! My face feels hot! What does a Reset Hero do?β
Practice: Prompt the child to cue you: Step 1 (Stop), Step 2 (3 breaths), Step 3 (Choose: rebuild or squeeze ball).
4
Classroom De-Escalation & Coaching Protocol
What TO Do (Low-Language)
Lower your vocal volume and pitch: Whisper or talk in a calm, soothing cadence.
Use visual cue cards first: Hold up the βBreatheβ card without lecturing.
Co-regulate by breathing aloud: Don't say βcalm downβ; show your own deep breaths.
Validate the feeling before the task: βThat puzzle piece is stubborn. I see you.β
What to AVOID
Do NOT ask multi-step βWhyβ questions: A stressed brain cannot process complex logic.
Avoid forcing immediate eye contact: Direct eye contact can feel threatening to an upset child.
Do NOT withhold coping tools as punishment: Calming resets are essential skills, not rewards.
Avoid rushing back to work: Ensure breathing has normalized before task resumption.
5
Weekly Observational Growth Check
Observed Behavior Prompt Needed Visual Cue Independent Pauses body when feeling frustrated (avoids throwing/crumpling) β β β Takes 2β3 deep belly breaths (smell flower, blow candle) β β β Points to or uses a calm tool (drink, squeeze ball, ask help) β β β Returns to completing the original or adapted task safely β β β
Reset Heroes Intervention β’ Lesson Guide Page 2 of 2
Reset Heroes Slides Superpower SEL
Kindergarten Power Lesson
Reset Heroes!
What to do when feelings get BIG and things feel hard.
π 1. Stop β’ π¨ 2. Breathe β’ β¨ 3. Choose
Big Feelings Slide 2
Sometimes Things Feel Hard!
Everyone feels frustrated sometimes. It is totally okay!
π§±
Tower Tumbles
βοΈ
Tricky Cutting
ποΈ
Waiting for a Turn
Secret Body Clues Slide 3
How Does Your Body Feel?
Your body talks to you before feelings get too big!
β
Tight Hands
Fists squeezed hard
π₯
Hot Cheeks
Face feels warm
π
Fast Heart
Thump, thump, thump!
Step 1 of 3 Hero Move
STOP & FREEZE!
Put down the crayons, pencil, or toy.
π’ Rest your hands like a turtle in its shell!
π
Say it together: "Hands rest, body still!"
Step 2 of 3 Hero Move
TAKE A BALLOON BREATH
Breathe in slow, breathe out low!
πΈ
1. Smell The Flower
Breathe in deep through your nose
π
2. Blow The Candle
Blow out softly through your mouth
Let's practice together: In... and Out... (3 times!)
Step 3 of 3 Hero Move
PICK A CALM TOOL
Choose one super tool to help your body feel ready!
π
Ask For Help
βCan you help me?β
π§Έ
Squeeze Toy
Squeeze 5 times
π§
Cool Drink
3 sips of water
Point to the tool you want to try first!
Hero Celebration
You Did It!
π
You Are a Reset Hero!
Whenever feelings get too big, remember your power:
1. STOP β 2. BREATHE β 3. CHOOSE
Give yourself a high five or a superhero squeeze!
Calm Corner Cue Cards Calm Corner Cue Cards
Desk, Lanyard, or Calm-Down Area Visual Prompts
βοΈ Cut along dashed lines β’ Laminate for daily use
Step 1 Body Pause
π
STOP & REST
Hands in lap like a resting turtle. Let go of tools.
βHands rest, body still.β
Step 2 Belly Breathing
πΈ
BALLOON BREATH
Smell the flower (nose), blow out the candle (mouth).
Touch 3 times:
1 2 3
Tool Choice Communication
π
ASK FOR HELP
Raise your hand or show this card to a teacher.
βCan you help me please?β
Tool Choice Sensory Motor
π§Έ
SQUEEZE & MELT
Squeeze a fidget or squishy ball tightly, then let go.
Squeeze tight (3 sec)... and soften!
Tool Choice Physiological
π§
COOL DRINK
Walk to water bottle or sink. Take 3 slow, cool sips.
Cool water helps cool warm cheeks!
Tool Choice Environment
ποΈ
CALM CORNER
Sit on the cozy cushion for a 2-minute timer reset.
Quiet body, soft pillow, safe space.
Cut-Out Desk Strip (Tape to student desk for quick nonverbal cueing)
My Daily Reset Strip
π
1. Stop
Hands rest
π¨
2. Breathe
3 deep breaths
β¨
3. Choose
Pick one tool
πͺ
4. Ready
Try again!
Reset Heroes β’ Visual Strategy Cards Tip: Hole-punch corner and put on ring for student lanyard
Reset Choices Activity Sheet β
My Reset Hero Plan
Kindergarten Calm Down & Frustration Practice
Name:
Date:
1
My Body Clues: Circle the clues your body gives when things feel hard!
β
Tight Hands
Clenching fists
π₯
Hot Cheeks
Face gets warm
π
Fast Heart
Thump-thump-thump
2
The 3 Hero Steps: Trace the numbers in order!
1
STOP
Hands rest like turtle
2
BREATHE
Smell flower, blow candle
3
CHOOSE
Pick a calm tool
3
Draw Your Super Reset Tool: What tool helps you feel calm and ready?
Examples: Squeeze ball, 3 sips of water, high five with teacher, cozy pillow, or deep breaths.
Student Drawing Area
Exit Ticket Check
Show a grown-up your hero powers:
I can STOP my hands. I can take 3 deep balloon breaths. I know who to ask for help.
π Super Reset Hero Badge
Reset Heroes β’ Student Activity & Exit Check Tier 2 Social-Emotional Intervention