--- title: "Simple Calming Strategies" description: "Try calming strategies when feeling upset or overwhelmed, such as gentle slow breaths, counting slowly to ten or taking a safe quiet break with support. Understand that these can help the body settle " canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/simple-calming-strategies-mt_Iwg2diBSyW source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/simple-calming-strategies-mt_Iwg2diBSyW.md retrieved: 2026-11-12 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Simple Calming Strategies Try calming strategies when feeling upset or overwhelmed, such as gentle slow breaths, counting slowly to ten or taking a safe quiet break with support. Understand that these can help the body settle and make it easier to think about what to do next. Subject: Personal & Social Development · Area: Self-Regulation & Resilience · Ages 5 to 7 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/simple-calming-strategies-mt_Iwg2diBSyW ## Ready when they can - Demonstrate at least two calming strategies when prompted - Choose a calming strategy during a real upset, with support if needed - Explain in simple terms how settling their body can help them think about what to do next ## Lesson: Calm Your Big Feelings Upset feelings can make your body feel shaky, hot or tight. A calming strategy is an action you try to help your body settle. Feeling steadier can help you think about your next step. It does not fix the problem itself. Try breathing in gently and out slowly. Keep each breath comfortable. You do not need a huge breath or to hold it. You can also count slowly from 1 to 10 in order. The slow pace gives you a pause; rushing skips that pause. *(drawing: Practise a comfortable breath with a trusted grown-up.)* **Example.** Ben lost his board game and felt like yelling. He tried three gentle, slow breaths. He felt steadier but was still sad about losing. He asked a grown-up he trusts to help him choose his next step. If noise feels too much, ask a trusted grown-up for a quiet break. Stay somewhere safe where your grown-up knows where you are. A strategy may help a little or may not help this time. You can try another strategy or ask for help. Reaching ten does not mean you will feel calm. *(drawing: Your grown-up can help you find a safe, quieter place.)* You can cry or cover your ears when noise feels too much. These responses are okay. You can ask a trusted grown-up for help while you are crying or still upset. You do not have to feel calm before asking. **Recap.** Try gentle slow breaths, slow counting or a safe quiet break. A trusted grown-up can help, even while you are still upset. *Original lesson, questions and flashcards written for this dataset.* ## Practice 8 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Optional connections - [Naming basic emotions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/naming-basic-emotions-mt_LhkP_KKIRS) - [Words for Big Feelings](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/words-for-big-feelings-mt_SeNxOZTHCN) ## Opens up - [Positive Self-Talk](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/positive-self-talk-mt_35-DhMh_Yr) - [Choosing the Right Coping Strategy](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/choosing-the-right-coping-strategy-mt_j8Pv3s7TZR) - [Expressing Feelings with Words](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/expressing-feelings-with-words-mt_kvrvpQris4) - [Patience and Delayed Gratification](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/patience-and-delayed-gratification-mt_nNDX_jZ-cb)