Lesson Plan

Stress Buster Toolkit

In this 15-minute individual session, the student will learn two quick stress-interruption techniques and practice a guided breathing exercise, then reflect on their feelings. Goals: teach breathing and squeeze-ball methods, reinforce self-awareness through reflection.

Elementary students often lack tools to manage sudden stress. This toolkit equips 4th graders with simple, evidence-based techniques they can use independently, building emotional regulation and reducing anxiety in daily life.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up

2 minutes

Step 2

Quick Calm Tricks

3 minutes

Step 3

Guided Stress Release

4 minutes

Step 4

Squeeze Ball Exercise

4 minutes

Step 5

Post-Buster Reflection

2 minutes

Slide Deck

Quick Calm Tricks

Welcome the student and introduce the session. Explain: “We’re going to learn two quick tricks you can use whenever you feel worried or upset. These are easy to remember and you can do them anywhere.”

Deep Belly Breathing

Model step by step with slow, exaggerated inhales and exhales. Encourage the student to place their hands on their belly so they can feel it rise and fall.

Grounding with 5-4-3-2-1

Explain that naming things around us helps our mind focus on the present moment. Guide the student through each step with objects in the room.

Let’s Practice Together

Guide the student through a full practice: three deep belly breaths, then a quick 5-4-3-2-1 grounding. Ask: “How do you feel afterward?”

Lesson Plan

Stress Buster Toolkit

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

Step 1

Warm-Up

Step 2

Quick Calm Tricks

Step 3

Guided Stress Release

Step 4

Squeeze Ball Exercise

Step 5

Post-Buster Reflection

Slide Deck

Quick Calm Tricks

Deep Belly Breathing

Grounding with 5-4-3-2-1

Let’s Practice Together

Activity

Script

Cool Down

Stress Buster

Abby Downing