Lesson Plan

Big Feelings Toolbox Plan

Students will learn and practice three coping strategies—deep breathing, positive self-talk, and drawing—to manage anger, sadness, and worry, and create a personalized Big Feelings Toolbox for use in challenging moments.

Teaching kids coping tools empowers them to self-regulate, reduces emotional outbursts, supports classroom focus, and builds resilience for handling tough feelings.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Setup Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Emotion Check-In

5 minutes

Step 2

Teach Coping Strategies

10 minutes

Step 3

Toolbox Creation Activity

10 minutes

Step 4

Share and Reflect

5 minutes

Slide Deck

Big Feelings Toolbox

Welcome students and introduce the session. Say: “Today we’ll build our Big Feelings Toolbox to help us when we feel angry, sad, or worried.”

What Are Big Feelings?

Pass around the Feelings Faces Cards. Ask: “Which of these feelings have you felt today?” Encourage 2–3 students to share.

Tool #1: Deep Breathing

Show the Small Stuffed Toy and Breathing Buddy Guide. Model belly breaths: inhale 4 counts, exhale 4 counts. Guide the class through three breaths.

Tool #2: Positive Self-Talk

Hold up a few Affirmation Cards. Read each one and have students repeat loud and proud.

Tool #3: Drawing Feelings

Show the Big Feelings Toolbox Worksheet. Explain that drawing can help us feel better when we’re upset.

Create Your Toolbox

Distribute the Big Feelings Toolbox Worksheet. Circulate and support students as they illustrate their three chosen tools.

Share & Reflect

Invite volunteers to stand by their worksheet and share one tool they created and why it helps them.

Remember…

Close by reinforcing that tools work best when we practice them. Remind students the Calm Down Corner and their worksheet are always available.

Lesson Plan

Big Feelings Toolbox Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Setup Materials

Step 1

Introduction and Emotion Check-In

Step 2

Teach Coping Strategies

Step 3

Toolbox Creation Activity

Step 4

Share and Reflect

Slide Deck

Big Feelings Toolbox

What Are Big Feelings?

Tool #1: Deep Breathing

Tool #2: Positive Self-Talk

Tool #3: Drawing Feelings

Create Your Toolbox

Share & Reflect

Remember…

Worksheet

Activity

Activity

Activity

Activity

Big Feelings Toolbox

Alyssha Walker