Anxiety Identification Warm-Up Cards

Description: A set of 6 dyslexia-friendly cards that illustrate common physical signs of anxiety. Each card pairs a simple label with a clear icon. Use these for the warm-up activity in Session 1 to help the student recognize how anxiety shows up in their body.

Printing & Preparation:
• Print each card on pastel-toned cardstock
• Use a large, sans-serif font (e.g., OpenDyslexic or Arial, 24pt+)
• Allow extra spacing between letters and lines
• Cut cards to roughly 4×6 inches

Cards (6 total):

1. Racing Heart
   Illustration: Heart icon with motion lines on either side
2. Sweaty Palms
   Illustration: Pair of hands with a few teardrop shapes
3. Shaky Hands
   Illustration: Wiggly lines around a hand icon
4. Short Breath
   Illustration: Lungs icon with a small puff of air
5. Tense Shoulders
   Illustration: Shoulder silhouette with tension lines above
6. Butterflies in Stomach
   Illustration: Simple butterfly icon over a stomach outline

Calm Quest Anxiety Station Puzzle Game

Description: A dyslexia-friendly jigsaw-style puzzle where each pair of pieces links a common anxiety trigger to an effective calming tool. Use this interactive game to help the student practice identifying triggers and matching them with strategies.

Printing & Preparation:
• Print pages on pastel-toned cardstock
• Use a large, sans-serif font (e.g., OpenDyslexic or Arial, 24pt+)
• Ensure extra spacing between letters and lines
• Cut out each puzzle piece along the borders (each piece is half of a pair)

Puzzle Pairs (6 sets – cut into 12 pieces):

1. Trigger: Test Anxiety
   Tool: Deep Breathing
   Icons: pencil + lungs
2. Trigger: Reading Aloud
   Tool: Positive Self-Talk
   Icons: open book + speech bubble
3. Trigger: Peer Pressure
   Tool: Counting to 5
   Icons: group of people + number block “5”
4. Trigger: Public Speaking
   Tool: Muscle Relaxation
   Icons: microphone + flexed arm
5. Trigger: Worry Before Bed
   Tool: Grounding (5-4-3-2-1)
   Icons: moon + footprint
6. Trigger: Math Trouble
   Tool: Visualization
   Icons: math symbols + thought cloud

Game Instructions:

• Mix all 12 pieces on the table, face-up.
• The student finds matching trigger and tool halves that fit together like a puzzle.
• Each match takes about 30 seconds; aim to complete as many as possible in 8 minutes.
• After each correct match, discuss:
  • “Why would this tool help with that trigger?”
  • “Can you show me how you might do it now?”
• Celebrate each match with verbal praise or a token sticker.

Dyslexia-Friendly Features:
• Pastel backgrounds reduce glare
• High-contrast icons accompany text
• Simple, concise labels
• Extra spacing between puzzle edges for ease of handling

Session 1 Anxiety Toolbox Worksheet

Instructions:
Choose three calming tools you matched during the puzzle game. In each section below:

1. Draw the tool in the box provided.
2. Write a short reminder phrase next to your drawing (you may dictate to your teacher if you need help spelling).

1. Tool #1

Drawing:

Reminder Phrase:

2. Tool #2

Drawing:

Reminder Phrase:

3. Tool #3

Drawing:

Reminder Phrase:

Tip: After you finish, explain each tool and phrase to your teacher. Discuss when you might use each strategy the next time you feel anxious.

Reflection Journal Page

Instructions: Take a moment to think about today’s session. Answer the questions below in complete sentences. Use the space provided to write or draw your thoughts.

1. Which tool will you try first if you feel anxious before school?

1. How do you feel right now after today’s activities?

Tip: There’s no right or wrong answer. Be honest and use as many words as you need to describe your feelings.

Anxiety Toolbox Review Cards

Description: A set of 4 dyslexia-friendly review cards: the three calming tools the student selected in Session 1 plus the new Progressive Muscle Relaxation strategy introduced today. Use these cards for the warm-up to reinforce familiar tools and introduce the new one.

Printing & Preparation:
• Print on pastel-toned cardstock
• Use a large, sans-serif font (e.g., OpenDyslexic or Arial, 24pt+)
• Ensure extra spacing between letters and lines
• Cut cards to roughly 4×6 inches

Cards (4 total):

1. Deep Breathing
   Icon: Lungs with a small puff of air

2. Positive Self-Talk
   Icon: Speech bubble with a smiling face

3. Counting to 5
   Icon: Number block “5”

4. Progressive Muscle Relaxation
   Icon: Flexed arm with tension/release lines

Muscle Relaxation Dice Game

Description: A dyslexia-friendly interactive dice game that guides the student through Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR). Each roll of the die corresponds to a different muscle group to tense and release, helping the student notice and reduce physical tension.

Materials & Preparation:
• One standard six-sided die (or a printable paper die)
• Cheat-sheet map for die faces (see below) printed on pastel-toned cardstock
• Soft cushion or pillow for comfort
• Timer or stopwatch
• Large, sans-serif font instructions (e.g., Arial 24pt)

Die-Face Muscle Group Map:

1. Hands/Fists – Clench into a tight fist
2. Arms/Shoulders – Lift shoulders toward ears and hold
3. Face – Scrunch facial muscles (forehead, eyes, mouth)
4. Stomach – Tighten belly muscles
5. Legs/Thighs – Press thighs together or lift legs slightly
6. Feet/Toes – Curl toes down into the ground

Game Instructions:

1. Sit comfortably on the cushion with feet flat on the floor.
2. Show the student the map so they know which muscle group matches each die face.
3. Student rolls the die.
4. Identify the muscle group from the map.
5. Tense: Ask the student to tighten that muscle group for a count of 5 seconds (use the timer).
6. Release: Ask the student to let go completely and rest for 5 seconds.
7. After the release, prompt discussion:
   • “How did your body feel when you were tensing?”
   • “What changed when you let go?”
8. Repeat steps 3–7 until all six faces have been rolled (or for 10 total rolls, whichever comes first).
9. At the end, celebrate the student’s effort and note any feeling of relaxation.

Dyslexia-Friendly Features:
• Pastel cardstock reduces glare
• High-contrast icons next to each muscle group label
• Extra spacing between lines and around edges
• Simple, concise wording

Tip for Teacher:
– Model the first roll to demonstrate proper tension and release.
– Use verbal cues like “Squeeze…1,2,3,4,5…now relax.”
– Offer gentle reminders to breathe deeply throughout the activity.

Session 2 Relaxation Plan Worksheet

Instructions:
Today you have four strategies to help you feel calmer. For each one:

1. Draw a small icon or picture that reminds you of the strategy.
2. Write when you will use this strategy (for example, "before a test", "when I feel my shoulders tighten").

1. Deep Breathing

Drawing:

When I will use it:

2. Positive Self-Talk

Drawing:

When I will use it:

3. Counting to 5

Drawing:

When I will use it:

4. Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Drawing:

When I will use it:

Tip: If you need help spelling, you may dictate your words to your teacher. Then, practice each strategy at home or school so it becomes a habit!

Session 2 Reflection Journal Page

Instructions: Take a moment to think about today’s session. Answer the questions below in complete sentences. Use the space provided to write or draw your thoughts.

1. Which relaxation strategy will you try first today?

1. How do you feel after practicing muscle relaxation?

Tip: There’s no right or wrong answer. Be honest and use as many words as you need to describe your thoughts and feelings.