Introduction
As educators, it’s crucial to teach our students essential life skills that will help them in various social situations. One such skill is learning how to calm down when they’re feeling upset or overwhelmed. By teaching them different calming strategies, we empower them to manage their emotions and make better decisions. In this blog post, we’ll explore an example of a calming strategy, taking deep breaths and counting them, as well as a no-prep activity that can be used to teach this skill and others.
No-Prep Activity: The Calming Toolbox
This no-prep activity is designed to help students identify and practice various calming strategies, including taking deep breaths and counting them. It can be easily adapted for individual or group settings.
- Begin by asking students to brainstorm different strategies they can use to calm themselves down when they’re feeling upset or overwhelmed. Write these strategies down on a whiteboard or large piece of paper.
- Next, have students choose one strategy they would like to practice. This can be done individually or in small groups. For example, a student may choose to practice taking deep breaths and counting them, like Josh.
- Now, ask the students to practice their chosen calming strategy for a few minutes. Encourage them to focus on how it makes them feel and if it helps them feel calmer.
- After practicing, have a group discussion about the different strategies and how they worked for each student. This can help students learn from one another and discover new strategies to try in the future.
- Finally, create a “Calming Toolbox” poster with the various strategies listed. Hang this poster in the classroom as a reminder for students to use their calming strategies when needed.
Discussion Questions
- Why is it important to have different calming strategies to choose from when you’re feeling upset or overwhelmed?
- How does taking deep breaths and counting them help you feel calmer? Are there any other strategies that have a similar effect?
- What other situations might require the use of calming strategies? How can you apply these strategies in those situations?
- How can we support our classmates when they’re feeling upset or overwhelmed? What role can calming strategies play in this support?
- Do you think it’s important to practice calming strategies even when you’re not feeling upset? Why or why not?
Related Skills
Teaching calming strategies is just one aspect of Social-Emotional Learning in the classroom. Here are some other relevant skills that can help students navigate social situations and manage their emotions:
- Problem-solving: Teaching students how to identify problems and find solutions can help them handle challenging situations more effectively.
- Emotion recognition: Helping students recognize and label their emotions can lead to better self-awareness and emotional management.
- Active listening: Teaching students to listen attentively and empathetically can improve their communication skills and enhance their relationships with others.
- Empathy: Encouraging students to understand and share the feelings of others can foster a more supportive and compassionate classroom environment.
Next Steps
Teaching calming strategies and other Social-Emotional Learning skills to your students is essential for their overall development and well-being. If you’re interested in exploring more resources to help you teach these skills, consider signing up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech. These resources can provide you with additional activities, videos, and lesson plans to support your students’ Social-Emotional Learning journey.
