GROUNDING Techniques, Deep BREATHING Exercises Kids STRESS & ANXIETY Desk Strips

DescriptionHelp kids who struggle with stress and anxiety manage big feelings independently with easy grounding techniques and deep breathing exercises. These calming desk strips give kids simple, visual strategies they can use by themselves to regulate their emotions and return to a state of calm. Whether you’re supporting a whole class, small groups, or individual students, these tools make self‑regulation accessible, predictable, and developmentally appropriate.This resource includes a variety of coping and breathing strips, grounding strategies, and interactive slide‑out calming tools that empower students to pause, breathe, and choose a strategy that helps them feel safe and in control. Students can explore different techniques and then use the blank template with cut‑and‑paste images to build personalized desk strips that reflects what works best for them.▶️ Check the preview for a closer look.Many teachers find that using multiple matching tools with the same strategies (task cards, cubes, coloring pages, etc.) helps cement the routines and makes the skills easier for students to remember and use independently.Choose from ready‑to‑print color versions or blackline pages you can print on colored paper or have students color for a mindful, personalized experience.❤️ Why You’ll Love These Calming Desk Strips:Builds Emotional Confidence & Self‑Regulation Students get simple, visual grounding and breathing strategies right on their desk, helping them manage big feelings, reduce stress and anxiety, and return to learning independently.Supports Calm‑Down Corners & Daily Routines Perfect for desks, SEL lessons, transitions, and calm‑down spaces — students always have a clear, kid‑friendly strategy to follow when emotions rise.Encourages Ownership & Personalization Blank templates and cut‑and‑paste icons let students create strips that reflect the strategies that work best for them, increasing buy‑in and meaningful use.Reinforces Skills Through Consistency Using the same strategies across multiple tools (desk strips, sliders, coping cards) helps students remember and apply calming techniques in real moments.Flexible, Easy & Teacher‑Friendly Print in color or blackline, personalize, or prep class sets. Great for busy teachers, counselors, and substitute plans.❤️ How to Use:Morning Meetings – Introduce and practice a calming strategy of the day.Calm‑Down Corner – Keep strips accessible for quick, independent resets.Small‑Group SEL – Use strips as visual prompts during counseling or intervention groups. Desk Placement – Tape to desks for instant access during frustration or overwhelm. Transitions – Use breathing strips before tests, after recess, or anytime students need to refocus. Take‑Home Tools – Send personalized strips home to build consistency between school and home. Mindful Coloring – Let students color their own strip for a calming, ownership‑building activity. ✅ What’s Included:Breathing Strips- Two difficulty levels- Pre‑colored and blackline versions- Visual step‑by‑step breathing promptsReady‑Made Coping Strips- Multiple colorway- Blackline versionsPersonalized Coping Strips- Cut‑and‑paste strategy pieces- Blank templates for student‑created desk stripsSlide‑Out Calming Tool- Pre‑colored and blackline casings- Multiple colorways- Interactive slider strips- Cut‑and‑paste strategy pieces - Blank templates for student‑created sliderTeacher Support Pages- How to teach coping strategies- Why kids need personal strategies- Printing recommendations (US Letter A4 guidance)- Assembly instructions- Additional ways to use these tools••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••✉ ContactIf you have any questions or ideas for other products you'd like to see in my store, I’d love to hear from you! Please email me at [email protected] or visit www.ripplekindness.org for great teacher tips.Have a great day! ☺••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••✋ Earn Credits to SaveDid you know you can receive credit towards future TpT purchases by reviewing products? Please leave an honest review on the product page or through “My Purchases” under “My Account”.➰ Stay in the LoopCLICK HERE to follow my store and find out when I post new resources and freebies.⚠️Want to share my resources? Please purchase an additional license for each classroom.••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••© Ripple Kindness ProjectMaterials are intended for personal use in one classroom only. For use in multiple classrooms, please purchase additional licenses.Report this resource to TPTReported resources will be reviewed by our team. Report this resource to let us know if this resource violates TPT's content guidelines.