Lesson Plan

Calm Clouds Lesson Plan

Kindergarteners will identify feelings of anxiety and practice fun, age-appropriate breathing and mindfulness strategies to help them calm down when they feel nervous or worried.

Building emotional awareness and self-regulation skills helps young learners manage anxiety, supports classroom readiness, and fosters a safe, supportive environment.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up Circle Time

5 minutes

Step 2

Identify and Express Feelings

7 minutes

Step 3

Cloud Breathing Practice

8 minutes

Step 4

Mindful Listening Activity

7 minutes

Step 5

Cool-Down Reflection

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Calm Clouds

Welcome! Introduce the lesson title and get students excited. Briefly explain: “Today we’re going to learn some fun ways to feel calm when we have big feelings.”

Warm-Up Circle Time (5 min)

Ask students to show thumbs-up/sideways/down. Explain the word “anxiety” in simple terms: “a big feeling that can make our tummies feel funny.” Hold up a few [Emoji Emotion Cards](#emoji-emotion-cards) and invite guesses.

Identify & Express Feelings (7 min)

Hand out one emotion card per child. Encourage them to name the feeling and share a short story. Affirm each share: “It’s okay to feel that way.”

Cloud Breathing Practice (8 min)

Display the [Cloud Breathing Chart](#cloud-breathing-chart) and [Belly Breathing Visual Guide](#belly-breathing-guide). Model inhaling to fill your belly and exhaling to float the cloud away. Lead five slow rounds, counting to 4 in and 4 out.

Play the [Mindful Moments Music Track](#mindful-moments-music). Invite students to close eyes and listen quietly. After 1–2 minutes, pause and ask: “What sounds did you hear? How did it make you feel?”

Cool-Down Reflection (3 min)

Gather back in the circle with the stuffed animal breathing buddy. Pass the buddy around; have each child take one deep cloud breath and share one word about how they feel now. Celebrate their practice.

Great Job!

Congratulate the group on practicing calm tools. Encourage them to use cloud breathing whenever they feel worried or nervous.

Lesson Plan

Calm Clouds Lesson Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

Step 1

Warm-Up Circle Time

Step 2

Identify and Express Feelings

Step 3

Cloud Breathing Practice

Step 4

Mindful Listening Activity

Step 5

Cool-Down Reflection

Slide Deck

Calm Clouds

Warm-Up Circle Time (5 min)

Identify & Express Feelings (7 min)

Cloud Breathing Practice (8 min)

Cool-Down Reflection (3 min)

Great Job!

Calm Clouds

Alyssha Walker