Calm Corner: Sensory Bottles Exploration

Description: Students will explore and observe a variety of sensory bottles, noticing movement, color, and texture as they practice calm, focused attention.

Materials:

• A selection of sensory bottles (e.g., glitter & water, oil & food coloring, beads & sequins)
• Optional: magnifying glasses or small flashlights
• A cloth mat or tray for each station

Instructions

1. Introduction (1 minute)
   • Gather students in a circle at the Sensory Bottles station.
   • Explain: “We’re going to use these special bottles to help calm our minds. You’ll shake them gently and watch what happens inside.”
2. Exploration (2 minutes)
   • Give each student one sensory bottle and a mat/tray.
   • Prompt them: “Shake your bottle slowly. Watch the glitter swirl, the oil move—notice every little piece.”
   • Encourage whispering: “What colors do you see? How quickly does it settle?”
3. Guided Questions (1 minute)
   • Ask students to hold their bottle still and think:
     • “What shapes or patterns do you notice?”
     
     
     
     • “How does watching the bottle make your body feel?”
     
     
     
   • Invite a few students to share one observation with the group.
4. Reflection & Reset (1 minute)
   • Have students place their bottles back on the tray.
   • Guide them to take two deep breaths and notice if they feel calmer.
   • Remind: “You can use these bottles anytime you need a moment to calm down.”

Teacher Tip: Offer extra support to students who rush through shaking. Model a slow, gentle shake to help them pace their breathing alongside the movement.

Up Next: Students will move on to the Guided Breathing Script station to continue practicing self-regulation techniques.

Guided Breathing Script (5 minutes)

Teacher Script – Step by Step

1. Welcome & Settle (30 seconds)

Teacher says: “Okay friends, let’s all find a comfy spot. You can sit criss-cross, hands on your knees, or hands on your belly. Make sure your back is straight and your eyes are soft.”

Pause for 5 seconds.

Teacher says: “We’re going to practice breathing together—breathing helps our bodies feel calm and our minds feel happy.”

1. Belly Breaths (“Smell the Flower, Blow the Candle”) (1 minute)

Teacher says: “Put one hand on your belly and one hand on your heart. Ready?”

Teacher models deeply: “Breathe in through your nose—like you’re smelling a beautiful flower…”
(inhale sound)
“Hold it for one… two… three.”
“Now blow out through your mouth—like you’re blowing out a birthday candle…”
(exhale sound)

Guide students through 5 slow breaths:
• Inhale: “Smell the flower…”
• Pause: “1-2-3…”
• Exhale: “Blow the candle…”

After 5 breaths, whisper: “Great job noticing your belly rise and fall.”

1. Counting Breaths (1 minute)

Teacher says: “Now let’s try counting our breaths.”

Teacher models softly: “Breathe in… One… Breathe out… One…”

Guide students for four counts:
• Breath 1: In–One, Out–One
• Breath 2: In–Two, Out–Two
• Breath 3: In–Three, Out–Three
• Breath 4: In–Four, Out–Four

Teacher says: “Each time you breathe in and out, notice if you feel a little quieter inside.”

1. Square Breathing (1 minute)

Teacher says: “Let’s draw a square with our breath. We’ll imagine tracing each side.”

Model with hand in the air:
• “Breathe in for 4 seconds as you draw the first side…”
(raise hand slowly)
• “Hold for 4 seconds as you draw the top…”
(pause with hand at top)
• “Breathe out for 4 seconds as you draw the next side…”
(lower hand)
• “Hold for 4 seconds as you finish the square…”
(pause with hand at start)

Do two full squares together, counting slowly.

1. Reflect & Transition (30 seconds)

Teacher says: “Great breathing, everyone! Notice how your body feels. Do your shoulders feel softer? Does your belly feel calm?”

Pause and look around.

Teacher says: “When you need a calm moment, you can remember these breaths—smell the flower, blow the candle, count, or draw your square. Now let’s quietly move to our next Calm Corner station.”

Teacher Note: Keep your voice soft and even. Smile and make eye contact to help students feel safe and supported.

Feelings Check-In Notes

Name: ______________________ Date: ______________

Circle the face that shows how you feel today:

🙂 😢 😠 😟 😃 😌
 
 
Draw a picture of your feeling:

Write about your feeling:

I feel _______________________ because ________________________.

Think of one thing that helps me calm down or feel better: