Grades 1–4
Make a Calm-Down Jar
Number the six steps for making a glitter calm-down jar, then think about how your busy thoughts settle like the glitter.
SEL worksheet · Mindfulness and calming
Animal Stretch Cards
Four animal stretch cards, cat, snake, frog and turtle, to calm and wake up your body slowly between lessons.
- Grade level
- Grades K–3
- Time
- About 15 minutes
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Calming strategies, Breathing, Noticing and focus, Self-regulation
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- On your hands and knees, round your back up high like a cat, then let it sink down slowly.
- Lie on your tummy, push up with your hands and look up. Hiss as you breathe out.
- Squat low with your hands on the floor, then rise up slowly and stretch tall.
- Kneel and tuck your head and arms in like a shell. Take three slow breaths.
- My favorite stretch, and how it made my body feel:
Teacher tip
Use the stretches between lessons or after a long sit.
How to use it
- Do the calming practice yourself with the class. Kids follow your pace.
- Dim the lights or play soft music while kids work.
- Keep finished sheets in an SEL folder so kids can look back on their growth.
Watch for
Some kids don’t like closing their eyes. Let them look at the floor instead.
Talk about it
- When could you use this at home?
- Have you ever been in a moment like this? What happened?
Take it further
Set up a calm-down corner with the strategy cards and a timer.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More mindfulness and calming worksheets
Grades K–3
Animal Breathing Cards
Four calming breaths to try: lion breath, bee breath, elephant breath and teddy bear belly breathing.
Grades 1–5
5-4-3-2-1 Calm Down
Notice 5 things you see, 4 you hear, 3 you can touch, 2 you smell and 1 you taste to feel calm and present.
Grades K–5
Mindful Coloring Pattern
Color a round pattern slowly, one ring at a time, and notice your breathing as you go.
Free for teachers
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