Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Self Regulation Strategies To Use in The Classroom
Self Regulation Strategies To Use in The Classroom
Coping Strategies
students can use in the classroom
Thank You!
Thank you for downloading this resource!
I love creating tools that invite young people to voice
& shape their authentic, strong, vulnerable & brave selves
and that hopefully make your job easier (and more fun), too!
Please contact me with any questions, requests, or feedback at:
wholeheartedschoolcounseling@gmail.com
Joy to You!
About This Resource
When I designed this resource, my goal was to create a comprehensive list of doable self-regulation coping
skills that students could use in the classroom setting. The strategies presented in the checklist, poster, task
cards, and spinner craft help students to self-regulate, focus, ask for help, and return to a calm place, so
that they can be ready to learn and get along with others.
Teaching children self-regulation tools helps their thinking part of their brain, the pre-fontal cortex, to
remain engaged and in charge. Many of our students need extra support in this area, often coming to school
already in a state of fear, worry & chronic stress. Until we help students manage and relate -with kindness &
compassion- to these challenging emotional experiences, they will not be ready to learn the academic tools
that students need to be successful in and out of school.
Teachers, school counselors, and school social workers can use this resource as a as part of their classroom
management and/or social-emotional curriculum, as a small group activity, or as an individual intervention for
students who need additional support with self-regulation. The checklist can also be helpful when devising
Behavioral Intervention Plans, providing solution-focused, pro-active tools to replace negative behaviors with
positive ones, that are even transferrable outside of the classroom. The checklist, poster, task cards and
spinner craft are also perfect additions to any Take A Break, Peace Corner, Zen Zone and Calm Down
Station areas in a classroom.
Visualize a person who supports me and cheers me on. Give myself or a stuffed animal a great big hug.
Tell myself a positive affirmation or mantra. Push my palms together.
Use a "break card" to let my teacher know I need a break Eat a healthy snack or let my
and then use a timer to remind me when to return. teacher know I am hungry.
Write a letter. Rub or tap my temples.
Ask my teacher to break down the assignment
into smaller chunks so it's not so overwhelming. Smile or laugh, even if I have to fake it.
Slowly trace my hand with my finger, breathing in, as I Add my own idea here:
trace my fingers going up...breathing out, as I trace my
fingers going down.
When I feel upset, sad, or
unfocused at school I can:
BREATHE. As I zoom my attention
to my breathing, I will take extra Drink water.
long out-breaths.
Squeeze a stress ball or use Push against the wall as hard as I
another teacher-approved fidget. can and then relax my body.
Tell my teacher I would like to help Give myself an arm and hand massage.
or take on a classroom responsibility.
Ask if I can do my work standing up. Ask permission to quietly jog in place
for a minute or do 20 jumping jacks.
When
bothering me. breath makes.
thoughts or
questions if
or unfocused
Volunteer to help Tell my teacher I to get back on track."
clean or organize need help with the
at school
the classroom. assignment or
lesson.
I can:
Ask permission to take a
short walk down the hallway
or up & down the stairs. Drink water. Give myself
And then return. an arm
and hand Go outside during recess
massage. and notice the sky, trees
& sounds from nature.
Rest my head on the Tell myself a positive
desk for a moment affirmation or mantra.
or two. Think of or write a
Listen to calming Talk with
list of 3 positive my school
music with things my life. counselor. Help a classmate
headphones. Visualize a person or my teacher.
who supports me and Cross my arms
cheers me on. Ask if I can in front of
Remind myself it's ok do my work me and do the
to make a mistake. Zoom in on my senses: standing up. arm pretzel.
Read in a noticing 5 things I see,
quiet spot. 4 things I feel,
3 things I hear, Ask permission to
2 things I smell quietly jog in place
& 1 thing I taste. for a minute or do Give myself or a
20 jumping jacks. stuffed animal a
great big hug.
Take a 3-5 minute break in Do an act
Journal or write the designated classroom Slowly trace my hand with my of kindness. Eat a healthy
a letter. peace corner. finger, breathing in, as I trace my snack or tell my
fingers going up...breathing out, teacher
as I trace my fingers going down. I am hungry.
Listen to
calming Stretch.
music with
headphones.
Take a 3-5
minute break
in the
designated Think of
classroom or write a
peace list of 3
corner. positive things
my life.
Give myself
Talk with an arm and
my school hand
counselor. massage.
Read in a
Visualize a quiet
person who spot.
supports me
and cheers
me on.
Zoom in on my senses:
noticing 5
things I see,
4 things I Tell myself
feel, 3
things I hear,
a positive
2 things I smell affirmation
& 1 thing I or mantra.
taste.
Rest my head on Ask to work
the desk for a with a buddy.
moment or two.
Tell my teacher
Think of I would like to
help or take on
at least 3 a classroom
things I am responsibility.
grateful
for.
Cross my
arms in Do an act of
front of kindness.
me and do
the arm
pretzel.
Ask permission
Doodle, to take a short
draw, walk down the
hallway or up &
or down the stairs.
color. And then
return.
Smile or Rub or tap my
laugh, even temples.
if I have to
fake it.
Pre-Made Cover-Top of the Spinner
Cut out the top of the spinner along the outside black line. Works
well for the top of the DIY Color Spinner, too!
My WILL
What I
FE
EL
I
Can
Help Me
Spinner
Pre-Made
Feelings Wheels
sad
ry
ang
red
bo Choose which Feelings
Wheel works best for
you and cut out along
nervous the outer edge.
uncomfortable This Feelings Wheel is
placed in the middle of
disa the spinner.
ppo
inte
nu fo
d
cuse
tired
d
mad
ed
red fus
con
bo
unfocused
sad
disa
ppo
inte
wor
d
r
tired
ied
Pre-Made
Feelings Wheels
sad
mad
red
bo Choose which Feelings
Wheel works best for
you and cut out along
worried the outer edge.
uncomfortable This Feelings Wheel is
placed in the middle of
disa the spinner.
ppo
inte
nu fo
d
cuse
tired
d
frustrated
red mad
bo
unfocused
sad
disa
ppo
inte
wor
d
r
tired
ied
Pre-Made Bottom of The Spinner
Cut out along the outer circle. This will be the base / bottom of your spinner..
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Write oughts
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Pre-Made Bottom of The Spinner
Cut out along the outer circle. This will be the base / bottom of your spinner..
This strategy spinner focuses on physical sensations to release tension.
p her.
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Pu alms
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ple y
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Cross mytaorfms
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x
s s
Pre-Made Bottom of The Spinner
Cut out along the outer circle. This will be the base / bottom of your spinner..
This strategy spinner focuses on calming, mindfulness techniques.
Think of oorf 3
.
things my life
write a liitsivt e
pos
h.
etc
Str
REATHE.
B m my
o
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attenthing, I w ng
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peac agine a brea extra lo .
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feel, 3 things I & 1
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Place my paandlmbsreathe
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deeply, listenin my
the soundmthakates.
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slowly & g to
over
DIY Cover-Top of the Spinner
Cut out the top of the spinner along the black line. Color if you'd like!
My WILL
What I
FE
EL
I
Can
Help Me
Spinner
Feelings Wheel - Middle Piece
This Feelings Wheel is placed in the middle of the spinner. Before
you cut this feelings wheel out, glue 8 I FEEL Pieces to each
triangle section and let dry.
I FEEL Pieces
Choose 8 feelings that you sometimes experience at school,
cut them out, then glue them to the middle "Feelings Wheel."
THE. tress
BREA my e a s
om z
Squeeall or use
As I ztoion to myill er
Ask to dtoelitvhe b ther
attenthing, I w ng books y or ano approved
brea extra lo . librar lass. -
teachefridget.
take -breaths another c
out
Push e
against htahrd , acher
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wall as n and Ask mor help
as I ca n drawlor. f l upset
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with mtyhat the rson who i or questio can't
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com ed help. bot right away
ne
What Can Help Me Strategy Pieces
Choose your top 8 strategies, cut them out,
then glue onto the bottom template.
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What Can Help Me Strategy Pieces
Choose your top 8 strategies, cut them out,
then glue onto the bottom template.
ak card" to
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What Can Help Me Strategy Pieces
Choose your top 8 strategies, cut them out,
then glue onto the bottom template.
squeezin,g
y head I am t
Pretenmd on in my fhiasrd Devise a secroert
m
Rest the desk a le eezing as the code word my
squ an to get signal with at
on moment as I c mon juice w
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ut means "timeratck."
o momemy hands. back on t
ll m y teacher I
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a stuffgerdeat pa er. snack or her
teac ngry.
animal ahug.
big togeth know I am hu
Coping Strategies at
conversation cube
School
quiet spot.
Read in a
-or-
stress ball.
Squeeze a
What would help more?
What would help more?
Breathe slowly,
-or-
taking long
out-breaths.
Ask your
for help.
Stretch.
teacher
-or-
-or-
Drink water.
Breathe slowly,
taking long
out-breaths.
Ask your
for help.
Stretch.
teacher
-or-
-or-
Drink water.
Breathe slowly,
-or-
taking long
out-breaths.
Ask your
for help.
Stretch.
teacher
-or-
-or-
Drink water.
peaceful place.
Think of a
Breathe slowly,
-or-
taking long
out-breaths.
Ask your
for help.
Stretch.
teacher
-or-
-or-
Drink water.
Breathe slowly,
-or-
taking long
out-breaths.
Ask your
for help.
Stretch.
-or-
teacher
-or-
Drink water.
Breathe slowly,
-or-
taking long
out-breaths.
Ask your
for help.
Stretch.
teacher
-or-
-or-
Drink water.
Visualize a person who supports me and cheers me on. Give myself or a stuffed animal a great big hug.
Tell myself a positive affirmation or mantra. Push my palms together.
Use a "break card" to let my teacher know I need a break Eat a healthy snack or let my
and then use a timer to remind me when to return. teacher know I am hungry.
Journal or write a letter. Rub or tap my temples.
Ask my teacher to break down the assignment
into smaller chunks so it's not so overwhelming. Smile or laugh, even if I have to fake it.
Slowly trace my hand with my finger, breathing in, as I Add my own idea here:
trace my fingers going up...breathing out, as I trace my
fingers going down.
When I feel upset, sad, or
unfocused at school I can:
BREATHE. As I zoom my attention
to my breathing, I will take extra Drink water.
long out-breaths.
Squeeze a stress ball or use Push against the wall as hard as I
another teacher-approved fidget. can and then relax my body.
Tell my teacher I would like to help Give myself an arm and hand massage.
or take on a classroom responsibility.
Ask if I can do my work standing up. Ask permission to quietly jog in place
for a minute or do 20 jumping jacks.
When
the distraction with a buddy.
or person who the sound that my
is bothering me. Write down my breath makes.
thoughts or
or unfocused
right away. word or signal with my
teacher that means time
Volunteer to help Tell my teacher I to get back on track."
at school
clean or organize need help with the
the classroom. assignment or lesson.
I can:
Ask permission to take a
short walk down the hallway
or up & down the stairs. Drink water. Give myself
And then return. an arm
and hand Go outside during recess
massage. and notice the sky, trees
& sounds from nature.
Rest my head on the Tell myself a positive
desk for a moment affirmation or mantra.
or two. Think of or write a
Listen to calming Talk with
list of 3 positive my school Help a classmate
music with things my life. counselor. or my teacher.
headphones. Visualize a person
who supports me and Cross my arms
cheers me on. Ask if I can in front of
Remind myself it's ok do my work me and do the
to make a mistake. Zoom in on my senses: standing up. arm pretzel.
noticing 5 things I see,
Read in a 4 things I feel,
quiet spot. 3 things I hear, Ask permission to
2 things I smell quietly jog in place
& 1 thing I taste. for a minute or do Give myself or a
20 jumping jacks. stuffed animal a
great big hug.
Take a 3-5 minute break in Do an act
Journal or write the designated
peace
classroom
corner. Slowly trace my hand with my of kindness. Eat a healthy
a letter. finger, breathing in, as I trace my snack or tell my
fingers going up...breathing out, teacher
as I trace my fingers going down. I am hungry.
Listen to
calming
music with
Stretch.
headphones.
Take a 3-5
minute break
in the
designated Think of
classroom or write a
peace list of 3
corner. positive things
my life.
Give
Talk with myself an
my school arm and
counselor. hand
massage.
Read in a
Visualize a quiet
person who spot.
supports me
and cheers
me on.
Zoom in on my senses:
noticing 5
things I see,
4 things I Tell myself
feel, 3
things I hear,
a positive
2 things I smell affirmation
& 1 thing I or mantra.
taste.
Rest my head on Ask to work
the desk for a with a buddy.
moment or two.
Tell my teacher
Think of I would like to
help or take on
at least 3 a classroom
things I am responsibility.
grateful
for.
Cross my
arms in Do an act of
front of kindness.
me and do
the arm
pretzel.
Ask permission
Doodle, to take a short
draw, walk down the
hallway or up &
or down the stairs.
color. And then
return.
Smile or Rub or tap my
laugh, temples.
even if I
have to
fake it.
Pre-Made Cover-Top of the Spinner
Cut out the top of the spinner along the outside black line. Works well
for the top of the DIY Color Spinner, too!
My WILL
What I
FE
EL
I
Can
Help Me
Spinner
Pre-Made
Feelings Wheels
sad
mad
red
bo Choose which Feelings
Wheel works best for
you and cut out along
worried the outer edge.
uncomfortable This Feelings Wheel is
placed in the middle of
disa the spinner.
ppo
inte
nu fo
d
cuse
tired
d
frustrated
red mad
bo
unfocused
sad
dis
app
wor
oin
ted
r
tired
ied
Pre-Made
Feelings Wheels
sad
ry
ang
red
bo Choose which Feelings
Wheel works best for
you and cut out along
nervous the outer edge.
uncomfortable This Feelings Wheel is
placed in the middle of
disa the spinner.
ppo
inte
d
nu fo
cuse
tired
d
mad
ed
d fus
re
con
bo
unfocused
sad
disa
ppo
inte
wor
d
r
tired
ied
Pre-Made Bottom of The Spinner
Cut out along the outer circle. This will be the base / bottom of your spinner..
Re t spot.
in a
tea r my te
clasHelp a
d
quie
sma
a
r.
che
o
ur n. then e
ret . Andwn th ay orlk
irs do llw a
staup & the hahort wion to
s iss
THE.
w n a
do take perm REA
Ask B m my
o
As I ztoion to myill
attenthing, I w ng
brea extra lo .
take -breaths
out
Stretch.
str Squee
use ess b ze a
tea anot all or
app cher her
fidg rove -
et. d
co aw, le,
dr Dood
lor. or
the or lesso
ach
staon my w I can
e
ding ork
up.
d if
Ask
stake. e a 's
mi o makself it
ok tind my
Rem THE.
BREA
m my
o
As I ztoion to myill
attenthing, I w ng
brea extra lo .
take -breaths
out
n
commeed help.
unicat
with m at es I
th
hand ys teacher
Invent ignal
a secr Ask m
et break y teach
d e
into sassignmown ther to
so imt'saller cehnt
overw not s unks
helm o
ing.
a rk wi
wo sk to
bu
down my ons if
A
ddy. th
my teach hem
or questier can't
addressawt ay.
Write oughts
right
th
Pre-Made Bottom of The Spinner
Cut out along the outer circle. This will be the base / bottom of your spinner..
This strategy spinner focuses on calming, mindfulness techniques.
Think of oorf 3
.
things my life
write a liitsivt e
pos
h.
etc
Str
place.
lmi ng l and
ca acefu e a
pe magin
I
REATHE.
B m my
o
As I ztoion to myill
attenthing, I w ng
brea extra lo .
take -breaths
out
thing
2 things II stmasetlle.
feel, 3 things I & 1
4 things I hear,
noticing 5 things
on my sensesI: see, han Slow
Zoom in bre d withly tra
goin race athing my ce m
t
f y
fin out, ag up..my fi in, asinger,
ger s I .br nge I
s g tra eat rs
oing ce hin
dow my g
momut. Aften juice the
n.
o lemo o get d
m s, I few
ent r a
a ueezi my f ezing
y
Pret
sq mon in sque
a le end I am
h
I
andsc.an relax
Place my paandlmbsreathe
my ears
can tng as harist,
deeply, listenin my
the soundmthakates.
breath
slowly & g to
over
Pre-Made Bottom of The Spinner
Cut out along the outer circle. This will be the base / bottom of your spinner..
This strategy spinner focuses on physical sensations to release tension.
p her.
y
Pu alms
m
toget
temtap mb or
sh
ple y
Ru
s.
.
jacks do
m ping te or lace
ju inu p to
20 r a my jog iinssion
fo uietl erm
THE.
q sk p
A BREA
m my
o
As I ztoion to myill
attenthing, I w ng
brea extra lo .
take -breaths
out
relax my
b
then ody.
as I can a
wall as ha nd
against thrd
Push e
Giv arm assa
e m and ge
yse han .
m
lf d
momut. Aften juice the
an
o lemo o get d
m s, I few
ent r a
a ueezi my f ezing
y
Pret
sq mon in sque
a le end I am
h
I
andsc.an relax
Cross mytaorfms
me and do the
arm pretzel.
in fron
DIY Cover-Top of the Spinner
Cut out the top of the spinner along the black line. Color if you'd like!
My WILL
What I
FE
EL
I
Can
Help Me
Spinner
Cover-Top of the Spinner
Cut out the top of the spinner along the black line. Color if you'd like!
My WILL
What I
FE
EL
I
Can
Help Me
Spinner
Feelings Wheel
This Feelings Wheel is placed in the middle of the spinner. Before
you cut a feelings wheel out, glue 8 I FEEL Pieces to each
triangle section and let dry.
I FEEL Pieces
Choose 8 feelings that you sometimes experience at school,
cut them out, then glue them to the middle "Feelings Wheel."
THE. tress
BREA my e a s
om z
Squeeall or use
As I ztoion to myill er
Ask to dtoelitvhe b ther
attenthing, I w ng books y or ano approved
brea extra lo . librar lass. -
teachefridget.
take -breaths another c
out
Push e
against htahrd , acher
Doodl,e or y te
wall as n and Ask mor help
as I ca n drawlor. f l upset
the dy. co if I ferewhelmed.
relax my bo or ove
secret Write
Invent da signal from
han teacher e away
Mov distraction s down my thonusghifts
with mtyhat the rson who i or questio can't
ica tes I or pehering me. my teacher em
m u n
com ed help. address th .
ne bot right away
What Choose
Can your
Help Me Strategy
top 8 strategies, cut them out,
Pieces
then glue onto the bottom template.
inute
e
5 m
a 3- in the nk of or 3
Thi a list of Listen mtousic
ak
T break ated
write positivelife. calmingith
desigonom peace my
w s.
classrcorner. thi ngs headphone
ssion tok
rm i
Ask epea short wayl or nd myself i
tak the hallwahe Remik to make a
downp & down t hen t's o istake. .
u And t
stairsr.eturn.
m Stretch
a
Imagfinuel and r to
Voluncteleean or
Drinkr. peaceing place. help ize the
calm organ room.
wate class
What Can Help Me Customizable Pieces
Choose your top 8 strategies, cut them out,
then glue onto the bottom template.
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then glue onto the bottom template.
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Terms of Use
You May:
Use this product for your personal use, in your home, classroom, or counseling office.
Make as many copies as you need for your own classroom or caseload use.
Refer others that would like to use this product to the WholeHearted School
Counseling TPT store.