Facilitator Script: Identifying Triggers and Calming Strategies

Purpose: Guide students to share personal stress triggers, recognize warning signs, and brainstorm self-regulation strategies under three categories: breathing, movement, and sensory tools.

1. Revisiting Stress Triggers (3 minutes)

Teacher (smiling, hands open):
“Okay friends, let’s come back together. You each have your Trigger Mapping worksheet in front of you. I’d love to hear one stress trigger you wrote down. Who wants to share first?”

Pause while a student responds.

Teacher (nodding):
“Thank you, [Name]. You said your trigger is forgetting your homework. That’s a great example. Now, when that happens, what warning sign do you notice? Is it something in your body, your feelings, or how you act?”

Wait for response (“My heart races,” “I feel worried,” “I start fidgeting”).

Teacher:
“Excellent. Racing heart is a physical warning sign. Feeling worried is an emotional sign. Fidgeting is a behavioral sign. I’ll jot these on our chart under Warning Signs.”

Record briefly on chart paper under columns: Physical, Emotional, Behavioral.

Teacher:
“Who else wants to share a trigger and one warning sign? Let’s get two more examples.”

Repeat once or twice to reinforce categories.

2. Brainstorming Calming Strategies (7 minutes)

Teacher (gesturing to chart paper divided into three columns labeled “Breathing,” “Movement,” and “Sensory Tools”):
“Fantastic sharing! Now we’ll fill strategies we can use the moment we notice any of these signs. We’ll work together in three categories. I’ll ask a question for each. Let’s start with Breathing.”

a. Breathing Strategies

Teacher:
“What can we do with our breathing to help us calm down? Think quietly for a quick count of five… 1…2…3…4…5…”

Teacher:
“Who wants to share one breathing idea?”

Record responses (e.g., “Take 5 deep belly breaths,” “Inhale for four, exhale for four”).

Teacher (after 2–3 ideas):
“Great ideas! Deep breaths help send a message to your brain that you’re safe. Let’s move on.”

b. Movement Strategies

Teacher:
“When stress builds, small movements can help too. What simple movement could you do right at your desk or standing spot?”

Pause for responses. Record (e.g., “Stretch arms above head,” “Walk in place quietly”).

Teacher:
“Excellent. A quick stretch or walk helps your muscles relax. Now, last category…”

c. Sensory Tool Strategies

Teacher:
“Some of us like to use something we can touch, see, or hear. What sensory tool or activity might help you calm down?”

Gather responses. Record (e.g., “Squeeze a stress ball,” “Listen to soft music,” “Rub a textured strip”).

Teacher:
“Lovely choices. Remember, everybody’s Calm Code can look different! You choose what works best for you.”

3. Next Steps: Creating Your Calm Code (Optional Preview)

Teacher:
“Now that we have this big list, in a moment you’ll pick 2–3 strategies that match your top triggers and write your personal Calm Code statement: ‘When I feel __, I will __.’ Keep thinking about what you shared today as you choose. Great job brainstorming!”

End of Facilitator Script for Identifying Triggers & Brainstorming Strategies.

Trigger Mapping

Part 1: Identify Your Personal Stress Triggers

Think of 3 moments at school when you’ve felt stressed or upset. For each, fill in the trigger, your warning signs, and how strong it felt.

1. Trigger:

   ---

   
   
   
   Warning Signs (physical, emotional, behavioral): ***
   
   
   
   
   
   Intensity (1 = low, 5 = high): \_\_\_
   
2. Trigger:

   ---

   
   
   
   Warning Signs (physical, emotional, behavioral): ***
   
   
   
   
   
   Intensity (1 = low, 5 = high): \_\_\_
   
3. Trigger:

   ---

   
   
   
   Warning Signs (physical, emotional, behavioral): ***
   
   
   
   
   
   Intensity (1 = low, 5 = high): \_\_\_
   

Part 2: Create Your Calm Code

Choose two triggers from above that you rated a 4 or 5. Then for each:

a. Trigger:

b. Chosen Strategy (breathing, movement, or sensory tool):

c. Calm Code Statement
“When I feel __ (trigger) __, I will __ (strategy) __.”

Keep this sheet somewhere you can see it when you need a reminder of your Calm Code!

Quiet Reflection Exit Ticket

Name: ______________________ Date: ____________

1. Which Calm Code (trigger + strategy) do you feel will help you the most?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. When you notice your warning signs, where or when will you use this Calm Code?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. One thing I can do to remind myself to use my Calm Code is:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. What is one new calming strategy you’d like to try next time?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Thank you for reflecting! Keep this ticket to help you remember your Calm Code.