Throughout the year as I have the privilege of spending time in the classroom as I end my lesson with a trick, also known as a skill, for the students to try as an option when emotions feel big.  I am including them here so that you can reference them. 

     3 Good Things: 

Think of 3 things that are good.  Sometimes when things are hard we forget there are ALSO good things happening.  When we remember the good it can help calm our nervous system so we can think clearer. 

  Calming Sequence: 

Squeeze your fists, then close your eyes and rub your head, then rub your legs.  

  Laughing:

Laughing even when forced can relax the whole body and reduce anxiety. 

  Happy Place:

Close your eyes and  picture in your mind something or somewhere that makes you happy.  See, hear, smell, feel yourself in your happy environment.

  Take 5:  

During take 5 breathing, children concentrate on taking five slow breaths in through their nose and out through their mouths while sliding a finger up and down the fingers on the opposite hand. 

   Think Think:

Stop and think about what you're thinking about. No judgement or assessment needed just practice being aware of what thoughts you are having. 

   Name it to Tame it: 

Naming your emotions and what you need can help calm the brain and the big emotions. 

 Growth Mindset: 

Change your thinking from I can't do this to I can't do this yet.  

  Rainbow Breaths:

To do the Rainbow Breath, breathe in as your arms go straight overhead. As you breathe out, arc your arms to the sides in a downward motion creating an imaginary rainbow. 

 Highs and Lows:

Share a really good thing that happened and a hard thing that happened.  You can share 2 highs if there wasn't anything hard. 

   Circle of control: 

Identify what is in your control and draw or write that in the middle of the circle.  Then identify what is not in your control and write or draw that outside of the circle.  Focus on the things you can control when you are feeling stressed or worried. 

   Feelings Art Mosaic: 

Scribble in a dark color and then identify different emotions you are feeling and choose a color to represent that emotion. Then color in the empty spaces based on how much you have felt that emotion. 

   Rainbow Observer:

Take time to observe. One at time, notice things that are each color in the rainbow (Red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple). 

     Finger Mantra: 

Using a 4 word or syllable phrase touch your thumb to each of your other four fingers. This brings you back into the present moment as your finger tips have a lot of nerve endings in them to connect with calming the nervous system.

   The River: (2-6)

Visualize a river with a leaf floating by representing something you want to let go.  See the leaf float away all the way down the river until it is out of sight.  

Kind Mind: K-2

Say out loud and quietly in your mind positive statements.

• I am loved (making the sign for love with arms crossed over your chest)

• I am important (making the sign for important with thumb and first finger touching while making a circle)

   Throw It Away: 3-6

Write down a negative thought or something that has been bothering you and throw it away.  

 Five Senses: 

• First, notice 5 things that you can see. 

• Second, notice 4 things you can feel. 

• Third, notice 3 things that you can hear. 

• Fourth, notice 2 things you can smell. 

• Finally, notice 1 thing you can taste. 

Thankful Three: Think of 3 things you are thankful for to help you find calm and gratitude. 

 Breathing Intro: Say hello to your body's calming superpower, your breath.

 Soup Breathing: Learn a special breathing technique to settle the Hubbub.