Lesson Plan
My Coping Toolbox: Finding Calm
Students will identify and practice at least three healthy coping strategies to manage strong emotions like frustration or worry.
Learning healthy coping strategies helps students develop emotional resilience, improve self-regulation, and create a more positive learning environment.
Audience
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive modeling and playful activities.
Materials
My Coping Toolbox Slide Deck, Whiteboard or large paper, Markers or crayons, Construction paper or cardstock, Scissors (child-safe), Glue sticks, Various art supplies (stickers, glitter, yarn, etc.), Coping Strategy Cards, and My Coping Toolbox Worksheet
Prep
Preparation
20 minutes
Review the My Coping Toolbox: Finding Calm Lesson Plan and all generated materials.
Print and cut out the Coping Strategy Cards. Consider laminating for durability.
Gather all art supplies, construction paper, scissors, and glue sticks.
Ensure projector and screen are ready for the My Coping Toolbox Slide Deck.
Step 1
Introduction: What's in Your Feelings Backpack?
5 minutes
Begin by asking students about different feelings they experience. Use the My Coping Toolbox Slide Deck to guide this discussion. Explain that everyone has feelings, and sometimes big feelings can feel heavy, like carrying a heavy backpack. Introduce the idea of a 'coping toolbox' to help lighten the load.
Step 2
Introducing Coping Strategies
10 minutes
Present several simple coping strategies using the My Coping Toolbox Slide Deck and the pre-cut Coping Strategy Cards. Model each strategy for the students. Examples: deep breaths (smell the flower, blow out the candle), counting to ten, stretching, getting a drink of water, talking to a grown-up. Encourage students to try each strategy with you.
Step 3
Activity: Building Our Coping Toolbox
20 minutes
Introduce the My Coping Toolbox Worksheet. Explain that students will create their own personal coping toolbox. Distribute construction paper/cardstock, scissors, glue sticks, and art supplies. Guide students to choose 3-5 strategies from the Coping Strategy Cards that they think will work best for them. They will glue these cards onto their worksheet, decorating their 'toolbox' as they like. Circulate and assist students, prompting them to explain why they chose certain strategies.
Step 4
Share and Reflect
10 minutes
Invite students to share their completed My Coping Toolbox Worksheet with a partner or the class. Ask questions like: 'Which coping strategy are you excited to try?''How do you think this strategy will help you when you have big feelings?' Emphasize that it's okay if a strategy doesn't work every time and that their toolbox can grow with new ideas.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
My Coping Toolbox: Finding Calm
What helps you feel calm?
Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask them what kinds of feelings they know about. "Hi everyone! Today we're going to talk about our feelings and learn some super cool ways to help ourselves when feelings get really big!"
What are Feelings?
- Happy, Sad, Mad
- Excited, Scared, Worried
- Frustrated, Calm
All feelings are okay!
Ask students to share different feelings they experience throughout the day. Guide them to recognize a range of emotions. "Think about your day so far. What feelings have you had? Happy? Sad? Excited? A little bit grumpy? All feelings are okay!"
Big Feelings Can Feel Heavy
Have you ever had a feeling that felt really, really big?
It can feel heavy, like carrying a big backpack!
Use the analogy of a heavy backpack to describe big, overwhelming feelings. "Sometimes, when we have really strong feelings like being super mad or really worried, it can feel like carrying a heavy backpack. It can make it hard to play or learn."
Introducing Your Coping Toolbox!
A special box of tools to help you feel calm when feelings get big!
Introduce the concept of a 'coping toolbox' as a way to manage these big feelings. "But guess what? We can all build a special 'Coping Toolbox' to help us lighten that heavy backpack! This toolbox will have tools to help us feel calm again."
Tool #1: Deep Breaths
- Smell the flower (slow inhale through nose)
- Blow out the candle (slow exhale through mouth)
Model deep breathing. Instruct students to pretend to smell a flower slowly, then blow out a candle slowly. Repeat several times. "Let's try our first tool: Deep Breaths! Imagine you're smelling a beautiful flower (take a deep sniff through your nose). Now, pretend you're blowing out a birthday candle (blow slowly through your mouth). Let's do it a few times."
Tool #2: Count to 10
- Count slowly to 10 in your head or out loud.
- Focus on each number.
Model counting. Hold up fingers as you count slowly to ten. "Another great tool is to simply count! When you feel big feelings, try counting to 5 or even 10 very slowly. Let's try it together. One... two... three..."
Tool #3: Gentle Stretches
- Reach for the sky.
- Touch your toes.
- Gentle arm circles.
Model gentle stretches. Have students reach for the sky, touch their toes, or do a gentle arm stretch. "Moving our bodies can help! Let's try some gentle stretches. Reach for the sky! Touch your toes! Shake out your arms!"
Tool #4: Talk to a Grown-Up
- Find a trusted adult.
- Tell them how you feel.
- They can help you.
Explain that talking to a trusted adult is a good coping strategy. "Sometimes the best tool is to talk to a grown-up you trust, like a teacher, parent, or a family member. They can help you understand your feelings."
Build Your Own Toolbox!
- Choose your favorite coping tools.
- Decorate your toolbox.
- Practice using your tools!
Summarize the idea of the coping toolbox and what students will do next. "Today, you'll start building your very own coping toolbox! You'll pick your favorite tools and make them special. Remember, it's okay to have big feelings, and it's awesome to have tools to help you feel calm!"
Activity
Coping Strategy Cards
Cut out these cards and use them to build your personal coping toolbox!
Deep Breaths: Smell the Flower, Blow out the Candle
- How to do it: Take a deep breath in through your nose, imagining you're smelling a beautiful flower. Hold it for a moment, then slowly blow it out through your mouth, like you're blowing out a candle.
(Imagine a simple drawing of a flower and a candle)
Count to Ten Slowly
- How to do it: When you feel a big feeling, close your eyes or look at your fingers and slowly count to ten. Focus on each number.
(Imagine a simple drawing of hands with fingers counting to ten)
Gentle Stretches
- How to do it: Gently stretch your arms up high like you're reaching for the sky, or touch your toes. You can also do some gentle arm circles.
(Imagine a simple drawing of a child stretching)
Get a Drink of Water
- How to do it: Take a slow walk to get a drink of water. The movement and the cool water can help you calm down.
(Imagine a simple drawing of a water cup or faucet)
Talk to a Grown-Up
- How to do it: Find a trusted adult (like a teacher, parent, or family member) and tell them how you're feeling. They can help you.
(Imagine a simple drawing of a child talking to an adult)
Draw or Doodle
- How to do it: Grab some paper and crayons. Draw what you're feeling or just doodle to help clear your mind.
(Imagine a simple drawing of crayons and paper)
Read a Book
- How to do it: Find a favorite book and look at the pictures or read the words. It can help you focus on something else for a little while.
(Imagine a simple drawing of an open book)
Hug a Stuffy or Pet
- How to do it: If you have a favorite stuffed animal or a pet, give them a gentle hug. Sometimes a hug can make you feel better.
(Imagine a simple drawing of a child hugging a teddy bear or a pet)
Worksheet
My Coping Toolbox: Finding Calm
Name: ____________________________
Instructions:
- Choose your favorite coping strategy cards from the Coping Strategy Cards.
- Glue your chosen cards inside your toolbox below.
- You can also draw or write other ways you like to feel calm!
- Decorate your toolbox to make it special!
My Toolbox
(Imagine a large outline of an open toolbox, taking up most of the page. Inside the toolbox, there will be ample space for students to glue several cards and draw/write.)