Help students identify a calming strategy when they feel upset with these illustrated classroom calming cards. The cards offer simple visual reminders students can use with teacher guidance as they learn to calm themselves more independently.

What's Included

• Illustrated cards suggesting strategies such as taking deep breaths, enjoying mindfulness, pausing to think, taking a break, reading, exercising, listening to music, and drinking water.
• Directions for printing, cutting apart, laminating, and putting the cards on a binder ring for classroom access.
• Additional pages with terms of use and feedback directions.

How to Use the Cards

Introduce the cards while students are calm, explain where they are kept, and model how to choose a strategy. When a student needs a visual reminder, refer them to the set and initially guide their selection. The directions recommend gradually fading teacher support as students become more familiar with the cards. Keep sets in classroom locations where students may need reminders.

Skills and Best-Fit Uses

These visual prompts reinforce self-regulation, calming strategies, and growing independence in responding to upset feelings. Use them as classroom visual supports, during individual check-ins, or in small-group counseling conversations about what students can try when they need to calm down. The child-friendly illustrations and brief strategy labels make the choices easy to scan.

Preparation

Print and cut out the cards; lamination and a hole punch with a binder ring are suggested for a durable, organized set. The resource is designed for printed classroom use. Review each suggested strategy for fit with your students and classroom routines—for example, movement, gum, or music may require adult approval or access to specific materials.