• Take time to speak with the student privately

• Assure student that everyone gets stressed/frustrated/worried/ overwhelmed

• Teach student to know when they are stressed, frustrated, worried, overwhelmed, etc (some common answers are: clench fists, breathe heavily, cry, sweat)

• Teach student or class to relax when they feel stressed, frustrated, upset

• Practise the first time with the student or class

• Establish where, when, and how students will initiate and carry out a break to relax

• Practical relaxation techniques for students:

  1. Box Breathing Exercise

  2. Draw a picture or write in a journal:

     • Let students draw pictures

     • Give students a coloring page with shapes to color in

     • Suggest topics, subjects, or themes for kids to write or draw about

  3. Reading favourite book

  4. Taking a break

Note: Use a timer or other method to limit the duration of the journaling or drawing period.