Calm Champions Teacher Guide Teacher Resource
Calm Champions
Stress Management & Self-Regulation (Ages 4-8 • Pre-K to Primary 2)
Pacing Guide 45-60 Minutes
Objectives
Identify somatic stress cues, practice 3 regulation strategies, build positive self-talk vocabulary.
Materials Needed
Calm Slides, Routine Cards, Trace worksheets, Game board, dice, and crayons.
SEL Framework
CASEL Core: Self-Management (stress relief, self-discipline) and Self-Awareness.
Activity 1: Circle Time - Feelings Weather Report
10 Mins
Objective: Guide students to locate and name physical sensations of big feelings in their bodies.
Teacher Script: "Let's check in like weather forecasters! Put your hands on your chest. Is your heart beating slow like a gentle breeze, or fast like a thunderstorm? Today, we're becoming Calm Champions to learn how to change our inner weather!"
Help students map feelings to weather symbols (Rainy = sad/heavy, Stormy = angry/tight muscles, Cloudy = worried).
Emphasize that all weather is okay , but weather always changes!
Activity 2: Physical Release - The Shake-Out Dance
8 Mins
Objective: Release physical stress, tension, and excess adrenaline through intentional movement.
Teacher Script: "When we feel worried or tight, our bodies store up high energy. Let's shake it loose! Stand up. Shake your right hand for 5 counts... now your left... now your right foot... now wiggle your whole body like wobbly jelly!"
Lead counts aloud: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!, then repeat for 4, 3, 2, 1 counts.
Finish by taking one slow, dramatic sigh: "Let out a giant, soft sigh... *Haaaa*."
Activity 3: Deep Breathing - Balloon Breathing
10 Mins
Objective: Learn to trigger the parasympathetic nervous system using diaphragmatic breathing.
Teacher Script: "Imagine there is a big, colorful balloon inside your belly! Put both hands around your navel. Breathe deep through your nose to blow up your balloon... feel it get big and round! Now, blow the air out slowly through your mouth... *ssssshh*."
Practice this slowly 5 times. Have them match your hand expansions.
Introduce the Breathing Rainbow Trace worksheet as a tactile practice follow-up.
Calm Champions SEL Unit Page 1 of 2
Teacher Resource
Calm Champions
Stress Management & Self-Regulation (Ages 4-8 • Pre-K to Primary 2)
Pacing Guide 45-60 Minutes
Activity 4: Co-Regulation - The Calm-Down Corner Roleplay
10 Mins
Objective: Introduce the classroom "Peace Corner" / "Calm Castle" and how to safely navigate it.
Teacher Script: "Look at our Calm-Down Corner! This is a cozy castle where we go to help our bodies find peace. It isn't a timeout corner—it's a helpful spot. Let's roleplay how to sit quietly, hold a plush toy, and look at our Visual Routine Cards."
Demonstrate how a student should ask to go: "My engine is running fast, I need 3 minutes in the Calm Corner."
Set clear, warm expectations: 1 person at a time, respect the sensory tools.
Activity 5: Cognitive Strategy - Positive Power-Talk
8 Mins
Objective: Combat stress-induced negative thought loops with empowering, simple verbal reminders.
Teacher Script: "Sometimes our mind tells us: 'I can't do this!' or 'Everything is ruined!' We can use our Power-Talk voices to answer back. Place your hands on your hips like a hero and say: 'I can do hard things!' 'I am safe and supported!'"
Teach three simple mantras: 1) "I can take a deep breath." 2) "I can ask for help." 3) "It is okay to make mistakes."
Have students match physical actions to statements (e.g., self-hug on "I am safe").
Activity 6: Cooperative Review - The Calm-Down Trail Game
10 Mins
Objective: Gamify and consolidate learning through cooperative physical and mindfulness challenges.
Directions: Organize students in small groups of 2-4. Distribute **The Calm-Down Trail Game Board**. Players take turns rolling a die, moving their marker, and performing the task listed on their landing space (such as a shake-out, deep breath, or positive affirmation).
Home Connection: Send home the **Visual Routine Cards** so families can replicate the classroom strategies when big feelings happen at home.Formative Assessment: Observe student participation during roleplays and assess understanding on the Weather Map worksheet.
Pro-Tip for High-Emotion Moments
If a student is experiencing an active emotional meltdown, do not force verbal scripts. Instead, match their proximity, keep your voice steady, and model the balloon breathing silently. Co-regulation precedes self-regulation!
Calm Champions SEL Unit Page 2 of 2
Calm Champions Slides Social Emotional Learning Ages 4-8
CALM CHAMPIONS
Discovering our superpower to breathe, shake out worry, and find quiet peace!
Unit 1: Stress Management Let's start! →
Feelings Weather Check-In
Step 1 of 5
Sunny
I feel happy, focused, and ready to learn!
Cloudy
I feel a little worried, quiet, or distracted.
Rainy
I feel tired, sad, or heavy inside.
Stormy
I feel angry, tight, or frustrated!
What weather do you feel inside your body right now?
The Great Shake-Out!
Step 2 of 5
How to Shake Out Stress:
1
Shake your hands high in the air!
2
Wiggle your shoulders and feet!
3
Let out a giant, soft sigh: "Haaaaa!"
Let's Try It!
Stand up in your personal bubble. We are going to shake our bodies on the teacher's count!
Ready? 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... SHAKE!
Balloon Breathing
Step 3 of 5
Balloon
Belly Balloon
Breathe in to grow, blow out to shrink!
Follow the Steps:
1. Hands on Belly
Place both hands gently over your belly button.
2. Breathe In (Smell the Flower)
Inhale slow and deep through your nose. Make your belly balloon big!
3. Blow Out (Blow the Candle)
Exhale through your mouth. Empty your balloon with a soft "Sssss" sound.
Let's practice 3 big belly breaths together!
The Calm Castle
Step 4 of 5
Cozy Items
Hold a soft toy or blanket.
Calm Cards
Follow the visual breathing paths.
Timer Time
Take a 3-minute pause to reset.
Ready to Go!
Rejoin your friends when ready.
What is the Calm Castle?
The Calm Castle (or Calm-Down Corner) is a safe, cozy spot in our classroom designed just for you when emotions feel too stormy or cloudy.
It is a place to rest, use your visual tools, breathe, and find comfort so you can shine bright again!
Who can show us a quiet, calm face for the Calm Castle?
Positive Power-Talk!
Step 5 of 5
Say it like a superhero!
"I am safe and supported."
Calm Champions Worksheets My Feelings Weather Map
Calm Champions • SEL Activity One
Name
Date
☀️
Directions: What is the weather like in your heart and body today? Circle your weather symbol below, then color in the body map to show where you feel your big feelings (like a tight tummy, fast heart, or wiggly toes!).
☀️
Sunny
Happy & Calmer
☁️
Cloudy
Quiet & Worried
🌧️
Rainy
Sad & Tired
⚡
Stormy
Angry & Wild
My Body Map
Draw or write about your feelings below:
Quick Check-in Questions:
My heart is beating:
Slow like a breeze Fast like a rocket
My muscles feel:
Loose & relaxed Tight & strong
Color with crayons • Share with a partner Page 1 of 2
Breathing Rainbow Trace
Calm Champions • SEL Activity Two
Name
Date
🌈
Directions: Place your finger on the left side of the rainbow star. Trace the rainbow line up to the top while taking a deep breath in. Hold your breath for a quick second at the top, and then blow out slowly as you trace down to the right! Color each band as you practice.
1. Breathe In through your nose
2. Pause & Hold keep it steady
3. Blow Out through your mouth
Step 1
Smell the pretty flower slow and steady
Step 2
Hold the magic air in your happy belly
Step 3
Blow out the birthday candle with a whistle
🏠 Parent Connection: Hang this sheet on the fridge! Whenever your child feels big stress or anger, trace the rainbow together to calm the storm.
Color with crayons • Share with a partner Page 2 of 2
Calm Champions Routine Cards Daily Calm-Down Cards
Cut-Out Visual Strategy Prompts for School & Home
Cut-Out Sheet
✂️
Teacher & Parent Directions: Cut along the dotted lines to create 6 individual visual calm-down cards. Keep them on a metal ring, in your classroom Peace Corner, or taped to a child's desk as friendly reminders!
1. Balloon Breath
Put your hands on your belly. Breathe in deep to blow up your balloon. Blow out slow and whistle!
Deep Breathing
2. Shake It Out
Stand in your personal bubble. Shake your hands, wiggle your toes, and shake loose all your worries!
Physical Release
3. Take a Magic Sip
Go to the water fountain or grab your water bottle. Take 3 slow, cool sips of water to reset your engine!
Sensory Reset
4. Cozy Corner
Go to the Calm Castle or cozy rug. Sit down with a soft pillow, look at your cards, and rest your eyes.
Safe Space
5. Talk It Out
Find a supportive friend or teacher. Share your feelings: "I feel cloudy because..." Telling someone helps!
Communication
6. Power-Talk
Stand strong like a hero. Say: "I am safe, I am supported, and I can do hard things!"
Affirmations
💡 Did you know? Visual cues are highly supportive for young children because they map ideas to actions instantly! Practice these daily.
Calm Champions SEL Toolkit Page 1 of 1
Calm Champions Game The Calm-Down Trail
A Cooperative Board Game for Calm Champions
Board Game
🎲
How to Play: Use a coin, eraser, or counter as your game token. Roll a die or flip a coin to move. When you land on a space, perform the calm-down activity listed. Help each other reach the Cozy Castle Finish !
Space 1 🚀
START HERE
Take one giant step in place & smile!
Begin Trail
Space 2 🎈
Balloon Breath
Breathe in deep, blow your belly up big, and blow it out slowly!
Do 2 Times
Space 3 🐝
Humming Buzz
Inhale deep, then hum like a happy bee on your breath out.
Sensory Humming
Space 4 🐙
Jelly Wiggle
Wiggle your arms and legs like wobbly green jelly for 5 seconds!
Shake Tension
Space 5 🦸
Hero Affirmation
Stand tall and say: "I can do hard things!" like a champion.
Power Talk
Space 6 💓
Heart Check
Put your hand on your heart. Is it beating fast or slow?
Body Awareness
Space 7 🐢
Turtle Hide
Pull your shoulders way up to your ears, squeeze, and drop them!
Muscle Squeeze
Space 8 🌬️
The Ocean Sigh
Breathe in quiet like a wave, and make a loud *Ssshh* wave out!
Quiet Reset
Space 9 💧
Magic Sip
Pretend to hold a cup of cool water. Take 3 slow, deep imaginary sips.
Sensory Sip
Space 10 ⭐
Happy Sparkle
Close your eyes and think of 1 person or pet that makes you smile!
Positive Self-Talk
Space 11 🌳
Strong Tree
Stand on one leg like a strong tree. Count to 5 without wobbling!
Balance Focus
Space 12 🏰
COZY CASTLE!
You made it! Give yourself a gentle, warm self-hug. You are a Calm Champion!
Winner Finish
💡 Tip: The winding path goes from top-left, winds to top-right, down, and curls to bottom-left! Follow Space 1 to 12. 🎲 Counters: Use simple coins or colored paper clips!
Calm Champions SEL Unit Page 1 of 1
Calm Castle Stories Book Cozy Classroom Reads
Calm Castle Stories
Story No. 1
🐻
Barnaby's Big Balloon
A Story About Belly Breathing
Deep in the Whispering Woods, a little bear named Barnaby loved to build. Today, he was building the tallest block tower in the whole forest. He carefully stacked a blue block, then a red block, and then a yellow block. It was taller than his nose!
Suddenly, a mischievous breeze blew through the window. CRASH! The tower tumbled down in a giant, noisy pile.
Barnaby felt a hot, tight feeling in his chest. His tummy felt hard like a rock, and his paws squeezed into tight little balls. He wanted to stomp his feet and roar.
Just then, Mama Bear knelt down beside him. "Your engine is running very fast, Barnaby," she said softly. "Let's blow up your magic belly balloon."
Mama placed Barnaby’s paws over his tummy. "Breathe in slow through your nose... feel your paws rise as the balloon fills up. Now, blow the air out of your mouth... Ssssshhh . Watch the balloon shrink back down."
Barnaby tried it. He inhaled the sweet pine scent of the forest. His tummy got round. He blew the air out. Slowly, his tight paws began to loosen. His tummy felt soft again. "I feel ready to build again," he whispered.
Talk About It!
How did Barnaby's body feel when his block tower fell down?
What did Mama Bear tell Barnaby to do to help himself calm down?
Can you show your partner how you blow up your magic belly balloon?
Lesson 2: Story-Based Stress Relief Page 1 of 2
Cozy Classroom Reads
Calm Castle Stories
Story No. 2
🐿️
Sami's Speedy Shakes
A Story About Releasing Muscle Tension
Sami the Squirrel was the quickest jumper in the Great Oak. But today was the Forest Relay Race, and Sami was incredibly nervous. He stood at the starting line, looking at all the other forest animals.
Sami's tail began to twitch. Then his legs started to wobble. His shoulders felt tight, and his heart was thumping like a little drum: thump-thump, thump-thump! "My body feels too shaky," Sami whimpered.
Old Owl Barnaby peered down from his branch. "Sami," he hooted gently, "when our body gets too much fast energy, we have to shake the wiggles out so we can stand strong."
"Shake them out?" Sami asked, blinking.
"Yes! Shake your right paw... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5! Now your left paw! Now shake that fluffy tail!" hooted Old Owl. "Let all that speedy energy fly right off you!"
Sami stood up. He shook his paws. He wiggled his ears. He shook his bushy tail so fast it looked like a gray blur. He took one giant, slow breath in, and let out a soft, breezy sigh:
Calm Castle Stories Slides Storybook Connection Ages 4-8
CALM CASTLE STORIES
Let's meet two friendly animals who learn how to manage their big feelings in the forest!
Lesson 2: Stories of Resilience Let's open the book! →
Meet Barnaby Bear!
Story No. 1
🐻
Barnaby Bear
He got a very tight, fast engine when his tower fell!
What happened to Barnaby?
Barnaby was building a block tower. CRASH! It fell down.
His paws clenched, his chest felt hot, and his belly felt hard like a heavy rock. He felt like stomping!
Have you ever felt a hot, tight feeling when something you were working on broke or went wrong?
How did Barnaby calm his fast engine? Let's check next!
Barnaby's Balloon Breath
Story No. 1
Let's Breathe Like Barnaby:
1
Place your paws over your belly button.
2
Breathe in slow through your nose... watch your tummy grow!
3
Blow out slow... listen to the soft wind: "Ssssshhhh".
Inhale!
Feel your belly balloon get big and round, then let it shrink.
Can we blow up our belly balloons 3 times together?
Meet Sami the Squirrel!
Story No. 2
🐿️
Sami the Squirrel
His tail would not stop shaking before the big race!
Why was Sami shaking?
Sami stood at the starting line of the forest race. He felt very nervous!
His fluffy tail twitched, his shoulders felt super tight, and his heart went thump-thump-thump!
Have you ever felt shaky, jittery, or hot in your body when you had to try something new?
What did Old Owl teach Sami? Let's check next!
Sami's Muscle Shake-Out
Story No. 2
Let's Shake Like Sami:
1
Shake your right paw for 5 seconds!
2
Shake your left paw for 5 seconds!
3
Wiggle your ears, shoulders, and fluffy tail!
🦉
Old Owl says:
"When we have too much nervous energy inside, shaking it off releases our muscles and lets us stand strong!"
Stand up in your personal bubble and get ready to wiggle!
Forest Story Connection
Discussion Time
Which character did you like best?
Calm Castle Puppets Calm Castle Puppets
Hands-On SEL Craft & Roleplay Activity
Name
Date
✂️
How to Build Your Puppets: 1) Color in Sami the Squirrel and Barnaby the Bear. 2) Cut along the dotted circles. 3) Tape a craft stick, straw, or pencil to the back! Use your puppets to play out the calm-down script below with a friend.
Cut Dotted Line
🐻
Barnaby Bear
Breathe Champion
"When things fall down, my belly balloon goes up and down!"
Cut Dotted Line
🐿️
Sami Squirrel
Shake Champion
"When I get speedy shakes, I wiggle my ears and my tail!"
Playtime Theater Script:
Barnaby Puppet: "Oh no, my tall blocks tumbled! My body feels very hot and angry. I feel like stomping my bear paws!"
Sami Puppet: "Wait, Barnaby! Don't stomp. Let's do your magic belly balloon breath together! *Inhale... Exhale...*"
Barnaby Puppet: "Wow, that feels much softer! Now, your tail is twitching, Sami! Let's shake out your speedy wiggles!"
Sami Puppet: "Yes! Let's wiggle wobbly like a jelly! 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... *Big breath out.* Now we are Calm Champions!"
Calm Champions SEL Craft Pack Page 1 of 1
