In this blog post, we will explore an essential skill for elementary students: learning how to calm down when they are feeling upset. We will introduce a no-prep activity that educators can use to help students practice this skill, along with discussion questions for further exploration. We will also mention other related skills for students’ development and encourage you to sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech.
Introduction
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is a vital aspect of a child’s education, encompassing the development of skills that help them manage emotions, establish relationships, and make responsible decisions. One of the fundamental SEL skills for elementary students is learning how to calm down when they are feeling upset. This skill allows students to regulate their emotions, enabling them to focus, learn, and interact positively with their peers and educators.
No-Prep Activity: The Water Fountain Walk
The Water Fountain Walk is an easy-to-implement activity that requires no preparation or materials from the educator. This activity helps students practice asking for a break when they are feeling upset and utilize a calming strategy, such as taking a walk and getting a drink of water.
To carry out this activity, follow these steps:
- Explain to your students that when they are feeling upset, they can ask for a break to help them calm down.
- Tell them that one calming strategy they can use is taking a walk to the water fountain and getting a drink of water.
- Encourage students to practice asking for a break and using the Water Fountain Walk strategy when they feel upset during the school day.
- Reinforce the importance of using this strategy responsibly and not as a way to avoid tasks or responsibilities.
Discussion Questions
To further explore the concept of calming down strategies, consider discussing the following questions with your students:
- Why is it important to learn how to calm down when we are feeling upset?
- What are some other strategies you can use to calm down when you are feeling upset?
- How do you know when you need to take a break and use a calming strategy?
- How can asking for a break and using a calming strategy help you in school?
- How can practicing calming strategies help you in your relationships with your peers and teachers?
Related Skills
In addition to learning how to calm down when feeling upset, there are other related SEL skills that can benefit elementary students, such as:
- Identifying and expressing emotions
- Developing empathy and understanding others’ feelings
- Building and maintaining positive relationships
- Problem-solving and conflict resolution
- Setting goals and making responsible decisions
Next Steps
Now that you have learned about the importance of teaching students how to calm down when they are feeling upset, we invite you to explore more SEL skills and activities. To help you get started, we encourage you to sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech. These resources will provide you with additional tools and strategies to support your students’ social-emotional development.
