🧩 Thinking & feelings · Ages 5–6 · about 3 weeks

Make My Calming Plan

Goal: Notice a feeling or body clue and choose a comforting next step with an adult.

For parents: Make the plan when your child feels comfortable. Tight hands or a busy feeling can mean different things; ask rather than guess. Offer company, quiet sitting or slow comfortable breathing without holding the breath. No choice has to work every time, and calmness is not a condition for receiving help.

Do together

  1. Notice without guessing

    You need: Paper and crayons

    Draw a person with tight hands. Ask what they might feel; several answers can fit. Invite your child to describe a body clue they notice, or stay with the drawing. Explain that we can ask how someone feels instead of deciding from their face.

  2. Choose two comforts

    You need: Paper and crayons

    Offer sitting quietly together, stretching hands gently or taking a few comfortable breaths. Try only what your child chooses. Draw two options on a small plan, including asking you for company. Let your child point instead of speaking.

  3. Practise changing the plan

    You need: The picture plan

    Pretend a game has become frustrating. Ask which picture might help. Try the choice together, then ask whether to continue, change it or stop. Keep the plan nearby. Your child can still need company even after trying an idea.

Talk about it

  • What might those tight hands tell us?
  • Which idea would you like to try?
  • Would you like company while we pause?

Words to use

  • notice
  • feeling
  • body
  • quiet
  • comfort
  • choose
  • plan

Play

  • Feelings Friends
    Feelings
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