Lesson Plan

Trigger Exploration Guide

Guide a 1st grade student in recognizing their personal emotional triggers and co-creating tailored coping strategies through a structured 15-minute one-on-one session.

Early awareness of emotions and personalized coping plans fosters resilience, self-regulation, and confidence in young learners.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Review and Print Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Welcome & Warm-Up

2 minutes

Step 2

Trigger Exploration

4 minutes

Step 3

Create a Trigger Map

3 minutes

Step 4

Develop Coping Strategies

4 minutes

Step 5

Reflection & Cool-Down

2 minutes

Slide Deck

Losing a Toy

Show the picture of a child looking around for a missing toy. Ask: “What’s happening in this picture? How do you think they feel? Could this ever make you feel upset?”

Loud Noise

Display a scene of a loud thunderstorm or dog barking. Ask: “What noise do you think this is? How does it make you feel? Is loud noise ever a trigger for you?”

Waiting in Line

Show kids waiting in line for lunch or recess. Ask: “What are they doing here? How might waiting make someone feel?”

Missing the Bus

Present a child running to catch a school bus. Ask: “Oh no—the bus is leaving! How do you think this child feels? Have you ever felt that way?”

Your Turn!

Invite the student to choose one picture that felt like a trigger. Use prompts: “Which one felt strongest? Why?”