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Focus & Flow

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Lesson Plan

Focus & Flow Lesson Plan

Students will engage in focused drawing and emotion-labeling activities to strengthen attention, fine motor skills, and emotional self-expression.

Structured art tasks help Pre-K learners—including those with ADHD-inattentive type—build sustained attention, calmness, and self-regulation while practicing fine motor control.

Audience

Pre-K

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Child-friendly drawing with emotion check-ins.

Materials

Crayons, Drawing Paper, Timer, Emotion Chart, and Focus Mode Cards

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction to Focus & Feelings

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle and introduce today’s art activity.
  • Explain that drawing can help us focus and share how we feel.
  • Show the Emotion Chart and name a few emotions together.
  • Model drawing a simple shape and naming the feeling it brings.

Step 2

Guided Focus Drawing

8 minutes

  • Distribute crayons and drawing paper to each child.
  • Set the timer for 8 minutes and invite them to draw a large, simple shape (circle, zig-zag).
  • Encourage slow, steady movements and deep breaths as they draw.
  • Walk around, offering gentle reminders to focus on the motion.

Step 3

Emotion Exploration

5 minutes

  • Ask children to look at their drawing and think about how it makes them feel.
  • Point to the Emotion Chart and have each child choose one emotion.
  • Invite them to draw a small face or symbol showing that emotion in a corner of their paper.
  • Validate each choice with positive feedback.

Step 4

Flow Art Creation

8 minutes

  • Introduce the Focus Mode Cards, each with a drawing prompt (e.g., slow lines, fast scribbles, dot patterns).
  • Let each child pick one card and follow its prompt for 8 minutes.
  • Remind them to breathe and keep their attention on the paper.
  • Circulate to offer praise and re-focus cues as needed.

Step 5

Reflection and Sharing

4 minutes

  • Invite volunteers to share their artwork and name the emotion they chose.
  • Point to the Emotion Chart to reinforce emotion vocabulary.
  • Acknowledge each child’s focus, creativity, and brave sharing.
  • Collect materials and transition to the next activity calmly.
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Slide Deck

Focus & Flow

Building Attention & Expressing Feelings Through Art

Welcome teachers! Use this slide deck to guide a 30-minute art therapy session. Keep a calm tone and encourage students as you move through each step.

Materials

• Crayons
• Drawing Paper
• Timer
• Emotion Chart
• Focus Mode Cards

Quickly show the materials so kids know what’s available. Point to each item and name it.

1. Introduction to Focus & Feelings (5 min)

• Show the Emotion Chart
• Model drawing a simple shape (circle, zig-zag)
• Name the feeling it brings (happy, calm)

Gather children in a circle. Explain how drawing shapes can help us calm our minds. Show the Emotion Chart and name 2–3 feelings together.

2. Guided Focus Drawing (8 min)

• Draw one large, simple shape
• Breathe slowly as you draw
• Notice how your hand moves

Distribute crayons and paper. Set the timer for 8 minutes. Encourage slow, steady breathing and movements. Walk around to offer gentle reminders.

3. Emotion Exploration (5 min)

• Pick an emotion from the chart
• Draw a small face or symbol on your paper
• Share your emotion if you’d like

Invite kids to look at their shapes and notice their feelings. Point to the Emotion Chart and have each child choose one emotion. Ask them to draw a small face or symbol.

4. Flow Art Creation (8 min)

• Choose a Focus Mode Card
• Follow its drawing prompt (slow lines, dots, scribbles)
• Keep breathing and stay on task

Show the Focus Mode Cards. Let each child pick one card. Set the timer for 8 minutes and encourage them to follow the prompt on their card.

5. Reflection & Sharing (4 min)

• Show your drawing to the class
• Name the emotion you chose
• Celebrate everyone’s work!

Invite volunteers to share their artwork and name the emotion they added. Praise each child’s focus, creativity, and sharing.

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Worksheet

Emotion Chart

Look at the faces and the words below. When you’re drawing, choose the face that shows how you feel!

😊 Happy


😢 Sad


😠 Angry


😌 Calm


😲 Surprised


😴 Tired

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Activity

Focus Mode Cards

Print and cut out these cards. Each card gives a drawing mode to help you focus. Pick one and follow its prompt!

Slow Lines
Draw long, slow, steady lines across your paper. Breathe in and out as you draw.


Fast Scribbles
Make quick, small scribbles all over your paper. Move your crayon fast and feel the energy!


Dot Patterns
Create a pattern using lots of dots. Try big dots, small dots, close dots, and far-apart dots!


Wavy Waves
Draw wavy lines like waves in the ocean, from one side of the paper to the other.


Zig-Zag Zoom
Draw zig-zag lines with sharp corners. You can go fast or slow, but keep the zig-zags rolling!


Shape Parade
Draw a parade of shapes—circles, squares, triangles—in different colors. Line them up or scatter them around!

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Cool Down

Reflection Prompt

Use the Emotion Chart to point to the face that shows how you feel right now.

Draw one long, steady line below to show how well you can keep your focus next time:







Great job focusing today!

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Focus & Flow • Lenny Learning