School can be full of joy, growth, and discovery—but it can also bring stress. Tests, social pressures, transitions, and even loud or overstimulating environments can all overwhelm a child’s emotional system.
The good news? Stress management is a teachable skill. And when kids learn healthy ways to manage stress early, they build habits that support emotional well-being for life.
Let’s explore stress management activities for students that are simple, age-appropriate, and rooted in everyday classroom routines. These strategies not only help children feel more balanced but also improve focus, classroom engagement, and overall learning outcomes.
Why Stress Management Matters in Elementary School
Stress doesn’t only show up as tears or tantrums. It can look like:
- Withdrawing from peers
- Acting out or disrupting class
- Zoning out or appearing disengaged
- Complaining of headaches or stomachaches
Without support, chronic stress can impact a child’s ability to learn, concentrate, and build relationships. That’s why it’s essential to give kids tools they can use—not just when things boil over, but before stress takes hold.
That’s where Social Emotional Learning comes in. By weaving SEL into the school day, educators help students build awareness, practice emotional regulation, and make choices that align with well-being.
Explore our full Elementary SEL Curriculum and Social Emotional Learning resources for deeper integration of wellness strategies.
Stress Management Activities for Students (Grades K–6)
Here are low-prep tools you can use right away to help students calm their bodies, focus their minds, and process emotions in developmentally appropriate ways.
1. Movement Breaks
Short bursts of movement help release pent-up energy and regulate the nervous system. Try:
- Stretching arms to the ceiling and wiggling fingers
- Cross-body taps or “brain buttons”
- Simple yoga poses like “tree” or “child’s pose”
- Silent disco (dancing in place with invisible music)
Why it works: Movement resets the body’s stress response and helps bring students back to center.
2. The “Stress Thermometer” Check-In
Create a visual chart with levels of stress from 1 (calm) to 5 (overwhelmed). Invite students to identify where they are and pick a calming activity accordingly. This builds self-awareness and encourages autonomy.
Pair it with our Tools of the Heart program for even more emotional regulation strategies.
3. Journaling & Drawing Emotions
Offer short journaling time or reflection sheets with prompts like:
- “Something that helped me today was…”
- “Right now, I feel ______ because ______.”
- “One thing I can do when I feel stressed is…”
For younger students, use an “emotion wheel” or feelings chart and let them draw their mood.
Tip: Link to our Feelings Poster to support emotional vocabulary.
4. Visualization and Breathing
Teach students to imagine a calm place (like a beach or peaceful forest) while taking deep breaths. Try “box breathing” (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4) or simple “smell the flower, blow out the candle” breathing.
This helps students develop calming techniques in the classroom they can return to when emotions feel big.
5. Coping Cards
Have students create small “coping cards” with reminders of things that help them feel calm (hugging a stuffed animal, taking deep breaths, counting to 10, etc.). Keep these in a “Calm Down Corner” or desk pouch for quick access.
These make abstract coping skills for kids more concrete and personal.
Building a Wellness Routine Into the School Day
Stress management becomes second nature when it’s woven into daily rhythms. Here’s how you can build a culture of calm without adding more to your plate:
- Morning Meetings: Start the day with a short SEL check-in or calming ritual.
- Quiet Time After Lunch: Offer 5 minutes for silent drawing, reading, or breath work.
- Closure Activities: End each day with a gratitude circle or mindfulness minute.
Consistency builds emotional safety. Over time, these micro-moments add up to real behavioral shifts.
Family Partnership: Extending Wellness Home
Stress doesn’t stop at the school gate. Empower families to reinforce strategies at home:
- Send home wellness tips or breathing exercises
- Offer a simple stress journal page for weekend reflection
- Share the Tools of the Heart link with caregivers
When kids see stress managed consistently at school and at home, they begin to trust that they are capable of handling hard things.
Stress Is a Signal—Not a Failure
We don’t need to eliminate stress. What we can do is help children recognize it early, respond to it kindly, and return to calm with confidence.
By teaching students how to identify stress and respond with tools—not shame or silence—we prepare them not just for school, but for life.
With programs like Elementary SEL Curriculum and daily practices grounded in empathy and emotional awareness, we can make stress just another part of growing up—not something that holds kids back.
Empathy is at the heart of social-emotional learning (SEL). It’s what allows students to care about each other, resolve conflicts peacefully, and create classrooms where everyone feels seen and heard.
But empathy doesn’t just happen. It’s a skill—and like any skill, it needs to be modeled, taught, and practiced.
In this post, we’ll explore the role of empathy in SEL, how to cultivate social awareness in schools, and share empathy activities for students that help them step into someone else’s shoes with compassion and curiosity.
Why Empathy in the Classroom Matters in School Communities
Why Empathy is more than “being nice.” It’s the ability to:
- Recognize and understand someone else’s feelings
- Respond with compassion and care
- Acknowledge differences without judgment
When empathy is part of daily classroom life, students are:
- Less likely to bully or exclude others
- More likely to cooperate, help, and build friendships
- Better at managing conflict and expressing themselves respectfully
When Empathy isn’t just a benefit to others—it helps students become more emotionally resilient themselves.
Empathy in the SEL Framework
Empathy is a key component of social awareness, one of the five core SEL competencies. Here’s how it fits into the bigger picture:
| SEL Competency |
Empathy Connection |
| Self-Awareness |
Helps students identify how their own emotions affect others |
| Self-Management |
Encourages regulation of reactions based on others’ feelings |
| Social Awareness |
Develops understanding of different perspectives |
| Relationship Skills |
Strengthens communication, trust, and compassion |
| Responsible Decision-Making |
Empathy influences ethical, inclusive choices |
Teaching empathy supports academic achievement, too. Classrooms with strong empathy cultures have fewer behavior disruptions, higher peer engagement, and stronger emotional safety—all of which contribute to better learning outcomes.
Explore how this works in our Elementary SEL Curriculum or learn more about Social Emotional Learning.
Empathy Activities for Students in the Classroom (Grades K–6)
The following are activities that can support building empathy in classrooms.
1. “If I Were In Their Shoes” Game
Read a short story or present a real-life situation (e.g., a student drops their lunch tray). Ask:
- “How do you think they feel?”
- “What might they need right now?”
- “What would you do if you were them?”
This helps kids practice perspective-taking and develop emotional vocabulary.
2. “Mirror Faces” Exercise
Pair students up. One child makes a facial expression (happy, sad, worried, surprised), and the other mirrors it. Then they guess the feeling.
This activity builds emotional awareness and empathy through nonverbal communication.
3. Empathy Journals
Invite students to reflect weekly on questions like:
- “Who helped you this week?”
- “Who might need help right now?”
- “How can you be a friend to someone who feels left out?”
Encourage personal connections through writing, drawing, or both.
4. “Kindness Web”
In a circle, one student holds a ball of yarn, says something kind about another student, then passes the yarn. Repeat until everyone’s connected. This makes inclusion and appreciation visible.
5. Story Time with a Twist
Choose books that highlight characters from different cultures, abilities, or experiences. Pause to ask:
- “What is this character feeling?”
- “What would you do if you were their friend?”
Books like Last Stop on Market Street or Each Kindness are excellent SEL empathy lessons for elementary students.
6. Empathy Freeze Tag
Play tag with a twist: when someone is tagged, they freeze in a feeling (e.g., scared, angry, tired), and another player must guess and act out a helpful response to “unfreeze” them.
This combines movement with emotional literacy and peer problem-solving.
Teaching Kindness Through Daily Habits
Empathy grows when it’s part of the classroom culture. Here’s how to build it into your daily routines:
- Model It Out Loud: Narrate your own empathic thinking—“I wonder how he’s feeling right now.”
- Use I-Feel Statements: Encourage students to say, “I feel ___ when ___” to express emotions non-defensively.
- Celebrate Differences: Acknowledge and appreciate the unique identities, cultures, and strengths of your students.
- Normalize Mistakes: Let students practice empathy when others mess up—and when they do too.
- Create Community Agreements: Invite students to co-create rules that honor kindness, listening, and belonging.
Explore more tools like our Tools of the Heart to help students resolve conflicts using empathy and responsibility.
Quick Journal Prompts for Empathy Building
Try adding these as bell ringers, morning meetings, or reflection time:
- “A time someone showed me kindness was…”
- “I noticed someone feeling __ today. I helped by…”
- “If someone felt left out at lunch, I could…”
- “What does being a good friend mean to you?”
These questions support deeper self-reflection and compassionate classroom behavior.
Why Empathy Needs to Be Practiced, Not Just Taught
Empathy can’t be taught in a single lesson. It needs to be:
- Modeled by adults
- Practiced in real-life situations
- Supported through stories, games, and discussions
- Embedded in conflict resolution and relationship-building
It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being present and intentional.
By making empathy a central part of your teaching, you’re helping students feel safe, valued, and emotionally connected—and that’s a foundation for everything else.
Gratitude is more than just saying “thank you.” It’s a powerful mindset that helps kids notice the good in themselves, in others, and in the world around them—even when things are tough.
By teaching children simple, age-appropriate gratitude practices, we can help them develop emotional resilience, increase their happiness, and foster a stronger connection to others. In fact, research indicates that gratitude is associated with improved sleep, reduced behavioral issues, enhanced self-esteem, and increased optimism in children.
In this post, we’ll explore how gratitude ties into social emotional learning (SEL), why it matters, and how to introduce gratitude activities for kids at school or home in a way that’s meaningful and lasting.
Why Gratitude Matters for Emotional Well-Being
At its core, gratitude shifts a child’s attention from what’s lacking to what’s present—from scarcity to abundance.
When practiced regularly, gratitude helps children:
- Increase self-awareness and emotional regulation
- Feel more optimistic and connected to their community
- Experience fewer stress-related reactions
- Improve classroom behavior and relationships
By making gratitude a habit, we help kids anchor themselves in joy, connection, and hope—especially during moments of challenge.
Learn how gratitude fits into a full Social Emotional Learning program with Soul Shoppe’s Elementary SEL Curriculum.
How Gratitude Connects to SEL Competencies
Expressing gratitude is not just a “feel-good” idea—it’s a core SEL practice that supports the five foundational competencies:
| SEL Competency |
How Gratitude Helps |
| Self-Awareness |
Encourages reflection on personal values and emotions |
| Self-Management |
Builds positive self-talk and reduces impulsive behavior |
| Social Awareness |
Cultivates empathy and appreciation for others |
| Relationship Skills |
Strengthens friendships and classroom bonds |
| Responsible Decision-Making |
Helps children act with kindness and intention |
Gratitude Activities for Kids (By Age Group)
For Younger Kids (PreK–2nd Grade)
- Gratitude Circle Time
Invite each child to share one thing they’re grateful for—big or small. Use sentence starters like:
- “Today I’m thankful for…”
- “Something that made me smile is…”
- Thank You Card Crafts
Have children decorate cards for friends, teachers, custodians, or family members. This builds appreciation and teaches recognition of others’ contributions.
- Gratitude Jar
Keep a class jar where kids drop in notes about things they appreciate. Read them aloud at the end of the week to reinforce community.
For Older Kids (Grades 3–6)
- Gratitude Journals
Offer a few minutes each day or week for kids to write:
- 3 things they’re grateful for
- A person who made their day better
- A time they felt proud or appreciated
- “Gratitude Walk” Reflection
After recess or PE, take a walk and have kids silently notice things they enjoy: the sun, fresh air, laughter, nature. Debrief with a group reflection.
- “Thank a Classmate” Challenges
Encourage students to write short anonymous notes recognizing classmates for kindness, effort, or positive actions. Share some aloud with permission.
Gratitude Games and Group Activities
- Gratitude Freeze Dance
Play music and have kids dance around. When the music stops, each child names one thing they’re thankful for before dancing resumes.
- Gratitude Charades
Instead of acting out typical words, have kids act out moments of gratitude (e.g., receiving help, hugging a friend, playing together).
- Alphabet Gratitude Game
As a group, try to name something to be grateful for, for each letter of the alphabet—“A is for acts of kindness,” “B is for best friends,” etc.
Tips for Building a Gratitude Culture in the Classroom
- Model It Daily: Let students hear what you’re grateful for. This shows it’s important for adults too.
- Validate All Emotions: Gratitude isn’t about ignoring hard feelings. It’s about noticing goodness alongside challenge.
- Encourage Specificity: Instead of “I’m grateful for my friends,” prompt “I’m grateful that Lily sat with me at lunch.”
- Celebrate Effort, Not Just Outcome: “I noticed how much effort you put into that drawing. It made my day!”
Reframing Through Gratitude
Sometimes, kids need support to reframe setbacks into growth. It takes practice, but working on reframing a negative outcome can really help reshape the way they perceive setbacks. For example:
- “I didn’t get chosen for the team.” → “I’m grateful I tried something new and now I know what to work on.”
- “My friend was mad at me.” → “I’m thankful we talked it out, and I learned how to listen better.”
This type of mindset shift builds grit, hope, and self-esteem—especially when modeled by trusted adults.
Extend the Practice at Home
Encourage families to:
- Share “one thing you’re thankful for” at dinner or bedtime
- Keep a shared gratitude journal
- Take turns writing thank-you notes to neighbors, mail carriers, or caregivers
Gratitude practiced at home reinforces emotional skills and nurtures secure family bonds.
Gratitude Is a Daily Practice, Not a Once-a-Year Lesson
Using gratitude is more than a November classroom theme. When integrated into routines, conversations, and lessons, it becomes a way of seeing the world—with compassion, curiosity, and connection.
Whether you’re using a Feelings Poster, exploring our Tools of the Heart program, or just starting a simple gratitude journal, every step helps kids feel more grounded, safe, and optimistic about the world and their place in it.
Life is full of ups and downs—and school is no exception. Whether it’s a tough test, a friendship hiccup, or an overwhelming change, every student faces challenges that test their emotional strength. The question is: how do we help them bounce back?
The answer lies in resilience.
Resilience is more than just “toughing it out.” It’s the ability to adapt, recover, and grow from adversity. And it’s a skill that can be nurtured through daily practice—both in the classroom and at home.
In this post, we’ll explore resilience activities for students, how to model student perseverance, and simple ways to create a learning environment where students feel empowered to face life’s curveballs with courage.
Why Resilience Matters for Learning and Life
Resilient students:
- Stay motivated even when tasks get difficult
- Learn from mistakes instead of shutting down
- Handle stress and change more constructively
- Bounce back after setbacks with greater confidence
This emotional strength is not something students either “have” or “don’t have.” Like a muscle, it can be built through supportive relationships, emotional awareness, and intentional skill-building.
According to CASEL’s framework, resilience is supported by several core SEL competencies, especially:
- Self-awareness: Recognizing emotions and triggers
- Self-management: Regulating thoughts, actions, and stress
- Responsible decision-making: Learning from consequences and choosing healthy responses
Explore how resilience is supported in our Elementary SEL Curriculum and in our approach to Social Emotional Learning.
Resilience Activities for Students (K–6)
The following are in-classroom activities that can support students in building their resilience muscles.
1. “What’s In Your Control?” Chart
Draw a big circle and divide it in half:
- One side: Things we can control (attitude, effort, actions)
- Other side: Things we can’t control (weather, others’ choices)
This visual helps students sort their stressors and shift focus to what they can change.
2. Growth Mindset Pep Talk
Use phrases like:
- “Mistakes mean you’re trying something new.”
- “You haven’t mastered it yet.”
- “You can do hard things.”
Reframing struggles helps kids see effort and setbacks as part of the learning process.
3. “Bounce-Back Stories” Circle
Have students share stories of a time they:
- Faced something difficult
- Tried again
- Learned from it
Celebrate their grit and emphasize that bouncing back doesn’t always mean getting it “right”—just that they kept going.
4. Classroom “Try Again” Zones
Create a space where students can regroup and reframe. Include:
- Affirmation cards
- Breathing tools (like a pinwheel or stress ball)
- Journaling pages
This model promotes healthy self-regulation and gives students permission to pause, reflect, and return with a renewed perspective.
5. “Resilience Chain” Class Project
Each time a student tries again after a setback or shows perseverance, add a link to a paper chain in the room. Watch it grow as a visual reminder that resilience is a community strength.
Daily Practices That Nurture Student Perseverance
Model Emotional Honesty
When things don’t go as planned, share your own process:
“I felt frustrated when that didn’t work, but I’m trying again. I’m proud I didn’t give up.”
This teaches students that adults feel big emotions too—and move through them in healthy ways.
Normalize “Failure Moments”
Start the week with “Mistake Monday” where students (and teachers!) share something they got wrong—and what they learned. Turn these into class lessons about courage and curiosity.
Encourage Self-Talk Shifts
Teach students how to reframe inner dialogue:
- Instead of “I’ll never get this,” say “This is hard, but I’m learning.”
- Instead of “I’m bad at this,” say “I’m getting better with practice.”
These micro-shifts in language make a major impact over time.
Resilience at Home: Tips for Families
You can help families support resilience by sharing these take-home strategies:
- Create predictable routines: Structure helps kids feel safe enough to try, fail, and try again.
- Praise effort over outcome: Celebrate what your child did, not just how they performed.
- Talk about feelings openly: Let your child know that frustration, sadness, and anger are normal—and manageable.
- Model perseverance: When something is hard, narrate your process (“I feel stuck, but I’m going to keep working on it.”)
These small shifts add up to a home environment that reinforces what you’re teaching in school.
Teaching Resilience is a Long Game
You won’t always see the results right away—but with consistency, you’ll start to notice:
- Students recovering more quickly from disappointment
- Fewer meltdowns when things don’t go as expected
- A classroom culture where effort is celebrated, not just perfection
Resilience doesn’t mean kids stop feeling discouraged. It means they learn how to keep going anyway—and feel proud of themselves for doing so.
With tools like our Tools of the Heart and Social Emotional Learning strategies, you can help them bounce back stronger, day by day.
From friendship misunderstandings to sharing squabbles, conflict is a natural part of childhood. But for many kids, managing big feelings and articulating those emotions in a healthy way doesn’t come naturally—it has to be taught.
That’s where “I feel” statements come in. This deceptively simple communication tool empowers children to voice how they feel, what caused the feeling, and what they need, without blame or shame. The result? More peaceful conversations, stronger relationships, and a powerful boost in emotional intelligence.
Let’s explore why “I feel” statements matter, how to teach them effectively, and how they support the development of Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
What Are “I Feel” Statements for Kids?
“I feel” statements follow a basic structure:
“I feel [emotion] when [event] because [reason]. I need [solution or request].”
Here’s an example a 2nd or 3rd grader might use:
“I feel frustrated when you grab the ball before my turn because I’ve been waiting. I need you to wait until I’m done.”
This format helps kids:
- Identify and name their emotions
- Take ownership of their experience
- Express what they need in a respectful way
When kids learn to replace blame (“You’re mean!”) with clarity (“I feel left out”), they begin to take the first step toward conflict resolution and emotional literacy.
Why “I Feel” Statements Are a Game Changer
Also, by teaching kids to use “I feel” statements isn’t just about conflict resolution—it’s about emotional empowerment.
Here’s why they work so well:
- They Build Emotional Awareness – Kids learn to notice, name, and normalize emotions, from anger to joy to disappointment. This emotional vocabulary is foundational to all SEL growth.
- They Reduce Reactive Behavior – “I feel” statements encourage reflection before action. Instead of lashing out, children pause, process, and speak their truth constructively.
- They Improve Peer Relationships – When a child uses “I feel” statements, it’s easier for peers to understand their perspective. This opens the door to empathy and cooperation.
- They Foster Problem Solving – The final part of the “I feel” statement—“I need…”—invites solutions. This teaches kids to think creatively about how to meet needs while respecting others.
How “I Feel” Statements Support SEL
This is how “I feel” statements align directly with the five core SEL competencies:
| SEL Competency |
How “I Feel” Statements Help |
| Self-Awareness |
Helps students identify and label their emotions. |
| Self-Management |
Encourages emotional regulation by pausing to reflect. |
| Social Awareness |
Cultivates empathy by helping students explain how actions affect them. |
| Relationship Skills |
Improves communication and conflict resolution. |
| Responsible Decision-Making |
Promotes accountability and mutual respect. |
Using “I feel” statements consistently helps create a safe, inclusive classroom culture where all voices are honored.
Implementing a full Elementary SEL Curriculum for age-appropriate tools helps build these competencies.
Teaching “I Feel” Statements in Your Classroom or Home
1. Model It Yourself
The best way to teach “I feel” statements is to use them yourself:
“I feel proud when I see how hard you’re working, because it shows dedication. I need you to keep believing in yourself.”
Modeling normalizes emotional expression and shows kids that adults use these tools too.
2. Use Sentence Starters and Posters
Give kids a clear visual reminder with sentence frames and emotion charts. Display the formula somewhere visible:
- I feel ___
- When ___
- Because ___
- I need ___
Pair it with our Feelings Poster to help students choose emotions from a list or image.
3. Practice in Safe, Calm Moments
Set up low-stakes practice scenarios where kids can try out “I feel” statements without pressure. These could include:
- Role-playing common conflicts
- Rewriting angry phrases into respectful ones
- Journaling emotions using the “I feel” structure
4. Integrate Into Conflict Resolution Tools
At Soul Shoppe, we teach tools like the Peace Path to help kids mediate conflicts with one another. “I feel” statements are a core component of this process.
The structure becomes second nature when built into peer mediation, classroom conversations, and restorative practices.
Extension Activities and SEL Integration
Looking for ways to reinforce “I feel” statements over time? Try these ideas:
- Daily Feelings Check-In: Have students start the day by naming how they feel and why.
- Literature Tie-Ins: After reading a book, ask students to imagine what a character’s “I feel” statement would be.
- Art & Writing Prompts: Use art, drawing, or journaling to help students express emotions non-verbally before adding words.
Try our full Tools of the Heart program for more ready-to-use lessons and activities that build emotional literacy.
Why This Skill Matters for Life
When students learn to articulate how they feel and what they need without attacking or retreating, they become more than good classmates—they become compassionate leaders.
“I feel” statements create a bridge between emotion and communication. Over time, they lead to fewer blowups, stronger friendships, and a more respectful, resilient classroom culture.
This simple phrase—“I feel ___ when ___ because ___. I need ___.”—holds extraordinary power.
Remember to make sure your classroom culture validates all emotions. Teach that every feeling is okay, even if every behavior isn’t.
