Nervous System Calming Script

Warm-Up: Brain Blast! (5 minutes)

Teacher: Good morning, amazing learners! Let's start with a quick brain blast. I'm handing out a Warm-Up: Brain Blast! Worksheet. On this sheet, I want you to either draw or write what you think your brain does. What's its job? What does it help you do every day? You have about two minutes for this.

(Allow students to work for 2 minutes. Circulate and observe.)

Teacher: Alright, time's up! Who would like to share one thing they drew or wrote about what their brain does? Yes, [Student Name]?

(Call on a few students. Affirm responses and connect them to the brain's role as a control center.)

Teacher: Fantastic ideas! You're all right. Our brain is truly amazing; it's like the control center for our entire body. Today, we're going to unlock one of its incredible superpowers and learn how to use it to help ourselves.

Introduction to the Nervous System (8 minutes)

(Transition to Your Brain's Superpower! Slide Deck - Slide 1: Your Brain's Superpower!)

Teacher: Take a look at our first slide: "Your Brain's Superpower!". Our brain helps us think, learn, feel, and move. It's a busy place! Let's go to the next slide.

(Transition to Slide 2: Meet Your Nervous System!)

Teacher: This slide shows us the amazing nervous system. Can you say that with me? Nervous System! Great! It's made up of your brain, your spinal cord (which runs down your back), and all the tiny nerves that spread throughout your body, like tiny telephone wires. This system helps your body send messages super fast. It lets you see, hear, smell, taste, touch, move your body, and even feel emotions! It's how your body communicates with itself and the world.

(Transition to Slide 3: Your Brain's Alarm System)

Teacher: Deep inside your brain, there's a tiny part called the amygdala (uh-MIG-duh-luh). Think of it like your personal alarm system or a tiny guard dog. Its main job is to detect danger and keep you safe. If it thinks there's danger, it sends out an alert to your whole body, super-fast!

Fight, Flight, or Freeze (8 minutes)

(Transition to Slide 4: Danger! Danger! The 3 F's!)

Teacher: When your brain's alarm system, the amygdala, goes off, your body gets ready to protect you. It has three super-fast safety modes. We call them the Fight, Flight, or Freeze responses. Has anyone heard of these before, or felt their body react in one of these ways?

(Allow a few brief student responses.)

Teacher: Let's look at each one. First, Fight!

(Transition to Slide 5: 1. Fight!)

Teacher: When your body goes into "Fight" mode, it's preparing to confront a perceived threat. Your muscles might get tense, your jaw might clench, and you might feel angry or want to yell. It's your body's way of saying, "I need to stand my ground!" Can anyone think of a time they felt like they wanted to fight or argue when they were upset?

(Allow a few brief student responses, guiding them to non-physical examples like arguing with a sibling.)

Teacher: Next up, Flight!

(Transition to Slide 6: 2. Flight!)

Teacher: When your body goes into "Flight" mode, it's getting ready to escape. Your heart might beat faster, you might feel shaky, or you might have a strong urge to run away from the situation. It's your body saying, "I need to get to safety!" Have you ever felt like you just wanted to run away from a tricky situation or a challenge?

(Allow a few brief student responses.)

Teacher: And finally, Freeze!

(Transition to Slide 7: 3. Freeze!)

Teacher: "Freeze" mode is when your body becomes still, like a statue. You might feel stuck, unable to move or speak, or become very quiet. It's your body's way of trying to avoid being noticed by the danger. Have you ever felt so overwhelmed that you just couldn't move or didn't know what to do?

(Allow a few brief student responses.)

(Transition to Slide 8: Normal Reactions!)

Teacher: It's super important to remember that these fight, flight, and freeze responses are NORMAL! They are how our bodies try to protect us. We don't choose them; our amazing brain does it automatically. But sometimes, our brain's alarm system can get a little over-excited and react strongly even to things that aren't actually dangerous, like a big test at school, or a disagreement with a friend. So, what can we do then?

Calming Corner Activity (7 minutes)

(Transition to Slide 9: Helping Your Brain Calm Down)

Teacher: Even though our brain's alarm system is automatic, we have a superpower to help our bodies feel calm! We can send signals to our brain that we are safe, which helps turn off that 'fight, flight, or freeze' alarm. Who has some ideas already about what helps them calm down?

(Allow a few brief student responses.)

(Transition to Slide 10: Your Calming Tool Kit)

Teacher: Great ideas! Here are some more. (Read through the examples on the slide: Deep Belly Breaths, Count to 10, Talk to a trusted adult, Move Your Body, Listen to Calm Music, Journal or Draw). These are all wonderful tools to help you feel calm and safe. Can you think of others?

(Allow a few brief student responses.)

(Transition to Slide 11: Build Your Calming Corner!)

Teacher: Now, let's create our own personal Calming Corner Activity Guide for what helps you calm down! I'm handing out some paper, and I want you to draw or write down at least three calming tools that you think would work best for you. This is your personal superpower kit! Think about what makes you feel safe, happy, or peaceful. You have about 5 minutes for this.

(Distribute paper/drawing supplies. Allow students to work. Circulate and offer assistance and encouragement.)

Teacher: Alright class, let's bring it back together. Who would like to share one calming tool they put in their Calming Corner kit? [Student Name]? That's a fantastic idea! Anyone else?

(Call on a few students to share.)

Cool-Down: My Calming Tool (2 minutes)

(Transition to Slide 12: You've Got This!)

Teacher: Fantastic work today everyone! We've learned so much about our amazing brains. To wrap up, I have one more quick task for you. I'm handing out a Cool-Down: My Calming Tool Exit Ticket. On this ticket, please write down one new thing you learned today or one calming tool you are excited to try. When you're done, you can place it in the basket on your way out. Remember, you've got this! Your brain is powerful, and now you have tools to help it. Great job today!

Warm-Up: Brain Blast!

Name: _________________________

Instructions: What does your amazing brain do for you? In the space below, draw a picture or write a few sentences about what you think your brain does every day. Think about how you think, feel, move, and learn!

My Brain is Awesome Because:

Calming Corner Activity Guide

Instructions: Now that we know our bodies have a natural alarm system, let's create a plan for how we can help ourselves feel calm! Think about what makes you feel safe, happy, or peaceful. This is your personal 'Calming Corner' plan.

In the space below, draw a picture or write down at least three calming tools you can use when you feel big emotions (like fight, flight, or freeze). You can also draw a relaxing scene or a symbol that helps you feel calm.

My Calming Tools:

1. Tool 1:
   
   
   
2. Tool 2:
   
   
   
3. Tool 3:
   
   
   

Bonus: Draw your peaceful place!

Cool-Down: My Calming Tool Exit Ticket

Name: _________________________

Instructions: Before you go, please answer one of the questions below:

1. Write down one new thing you learned about your brain or nervous system today.
   
   
   
   

2. Write down one calming tool you learned today that you would like to try.