My Calm-Down Toolkit

6-8 years

Me with Others

15–20 min / 2x per week

Learning goal :

Developing Emotional Awareness When Interacting with Others

Pedagogical Intention :

Managing My Emotions When Interacting with Others

Target skills :

Autonomous self-regulation, Strategy personalization, Toolkit ownership

Materials :

Personal toolkit card (laminated), calm corner access

Detailed procedure :

1. Children design their own calm-down toolkit: choose 3 personal strategies (deep breathing, drawing, squeezing a stress ball, walking, counting).
2. Each strategy is tested and rated: "Does this work for me?"
3. Script: "Your toolkit is yours. What works for your friend might not work for you."
4. Practice: trigger a mild frustration (unfair game outcome), then use the toolkit.
5. Children keep their laminated card at their desk or in their backpack for real use.

Progress Indicators :

Designs a personal 3-strategy toolkit. Accurately identifies which strategy works best for them. Initiates toolkit use without adult prompting in a real situation.

Research Foundations :

Thompson (2006); Linehan (1993); Gross (2002)