Teaching emotional regulation is just as important as teaching reading or math — especially in the early grades. I created these SEL strategy cards to give students concrete, visual tools to help manage their feelings when emotions start to take over.
Whether they’re feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or just need a moment to reset, these cards help guide students to use calming strategies independently.
💡 What’s Inside the SEL Strategy Cards Set
This printable resource includes:
- ✅ calming strategies in student-friendly language
- ✅ Categories like breathing, movement, visualization, and positive self-talk
- ✅ A calm, clean design with hand-drawn style icons
- ✅ An instruction page to help you introduce the cards with confidence
🧺 How I Use Them in My Classroom
I introduce the cards during our class meetings and model how to use them. We role-play different scenarios and talk about how each strategy helps. Once students are familiar, I place the cards in our Calm Down Corner along with a few quiet tools like crayons, stress balls, and a timer.
The best part? Students now know what to do when they need a moment — and they don’t need to ask me for help every time.
🏫 Other Ways to Use These Cards:
- ✅ Morning meetings or SEL mini-lessons
- ✅ Small group counseling
- ✅ Pre-teaching strategies before a tough test or transition
- ✅ Substitute or independent work time SEL centers
📥 Grab Your Set of SEL Cards
You can grab the full set of SEL Strategy Cards for Kids in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
👉 Click here to get the SEL cards on TPT!
Just print, laminate, and use them all year long to support your students’ emotional growth.
📌 Save This for Later
Pin the image below to your SEL or classroom management board so you don’t forget it!
📌 Check out my Pinterest Page for more SEL strategies
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