Helping Kids Manage Stress, Anxiety, and Big Emotions
- Angela Fairbanks
- Apr 15
- 5 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
In today's fast-paced world, academic success alone isn't enough to prepare students for life. Emotional intelligence, self-regulation, and strong interpersonal skills are just as crucial. That’s where Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) comes in—a teaching approach that nurtures self-awareness, empathy, and resilience alongside academic knowledge. At Kalexedy Learning Center, we believe that education should develop both the mind and the heart, which is why SEL is embedded in everything we do.
What Is Social-Emotional Learning?
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL, 2020) defines SEL as the process through which children develop skills in five key areas:
Self-Awareness – Understanding emotions and personal strengths
Self-Management – Regulating emotions, stress, and impulses
Social Awareness – Developing empathy and appreciating diversity
Relationship Skills – Communicating and collaborating effectively
Responsible Decision-Making – Making thoughtful, ethical choices
Research shows that students in SEL programs perform better academically, experience reduced anxiety, and develop stronger relationships (Durlak et al., 2011). Schools that implement SEL see an 11% improvement in academic performance compared to those that don’t.
This doesn't just have to happen at school though. Parents and caregivers can also help guide children in managing these experiences and supporting them in processing their feelings in healthy and constructive ways. Here are some practical tips that can make a big difference:
Establish a Calming Routine
When kids are feeling overwhelmed, having a calming routine can be incredibly helpful. A predictable routine helps children feel safe and gives them tools to calm down on their own. Consider incorporating things like:
Deep Breathing Exercises - Breathe in for 5 seconds, hold for 5 seconds, and breathe out for 5 seconds.
Visualization Exercises -Guide them to imagine a peaceful place or a favorite calm activity. Start generally and encourage them to help you build out the scene with elements that make them feel happy and safe.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation: This is an exercise that aids relaxation by progressively tightening and relaxing muscle groups throughout your whole body. While we are sure you know your body parts, here is a LINK to an example script.
Use a "Feelings Wheel" to Identify Emotions
It can be difficult for adults and children alike to put words to feelings. The Feelings Wheel is a useful tool that can help identify emotions more precisely. Instead of just saying "I'm mad!", the wheel can be used to explore feelings like frustration, annoyance, or disappointment. This not only helps in the moment but also starts to build emotional vocabulary. We have included a wheel, instructions, and coloring page at the end of this post.
Feelings Wheel, originally created by Dr. Gloria Willcox
Practice Mindfulness Together
Mindfulness is about paying attention to what you feel, hear, and/or see in the moment. This is accomplished in multiple ways, of which, below are a few. Keep in mind a few key components for success: Set a practicing example, only use it for positive situations, create a routine for practice.
Mindful Listening - With a restful body, close your eyes and listen to the layers of sound around you. Try to identify what you hear starting at the loudest to the quietest.
Mindful Identification - Name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 things you can taste.
Designate a Safe Emotional Space
It is important that everyone have a space they can go and feel calm and safe. Whether it is at home or at school, a safe emotional space can make a big difference. A calm corner with pillows, soft blanket, books, or sensory tools can provide a comforting place for kids to retreat when emotions become overwhelming.
Being able to bring the feeling of being in your safe space with you can be a situational lifesaver. Below are three of the small but powerful sensory tools that can help on the go.
Hedgehog balls or rollers - small, soft rubber, silicone, or plastic balls covered in short, rounded spikes. Despite the name, they're not prickly or painful! Children (and adults) can roll them over their arms, legs, feet, or back, or squeeze them in their hands. The tactile input they provide can help improve body awareness, reduce stress, increase focus, and support emotional regulation.
Sensory Activity Board - soft, flexible, silicone fidget panels or spheres covered in a series of ridges or nubs. Users get a positive tactile experience at they press, push, and peel colorful silicone strings and explore different textures and movements. These boards offer a non-disruptive, quiet way to self-regulate and stay focused.
Temporary Skin Markers - these are made with gentle, non-toxic ink that’s easy to apply and remove, making them a safe and creative option for routine use. The gentle pressure of drawing on skin stimulates the sense of touch in a safe, soothing way. Drawing on the skin can enhance proprioception and awareness of physical boundaries. The act of creating allows expression of feelings or identity in a nonverbal, empowering way.
Validate Emotions & Show Sympathy
When children express strong emotions, it is important to validate how they feel. Acknowledging their emotions is one of the ways to show you understand and support them. There are a few steps to make the most of the moment:
Give your full, undistracted focus. "I see your feeling upset right now. I'm available to talk about it."
Use both your body language and voice to indicate you are listening. Positioning yourself at eye level, leaning in, and nodding as they speak are proactive ways to display listening.
Reiterate specifically that you understand what they are feeling and why. "I see. You got angry when your drawing got ripped. That must be so frustrating since you worked really hard on it."
Try not to fix the problem. It is ok to have feelings, even big ones. Working through the feelings and the underlying cause helps grow self-confidence. You can be encouraging without being the solution giver.
Big emotions are a natural part of growing up and parents, teachers and caregivers are all in a position to help children learn to manage them. By using these techniques and others, we can create an environment where kids feel safe to express themselves, learn coping strategies, and develop emotional intelligence. Whether it's through mindfulness, journaling, or regular check-in, the key is consistency and support. The more tools we can offer to understand and manage their emotions, the better equipped they'll be to face challenges both now and in the future.
How Kalexedy Integrates SEL into Learning
At Kalexedy, we go beyond traditional academics to create a supportive, emotionally intelligent learning environment through:
Mindfulness & Reflection Activities – Daily check-ins help students develop self-awareness and manage emotions.
Conflict Resolution & Communication Workshops – We teach students how to navigate challenges, express themselves respectfully, and listen actively.
Collaborative, Project-Based Learning – Working in groups fosters teamwork, patience, and leadership.
Mentorship & Small Group Discussions – Our multi-age learning environment allows older students to support younger peers, reinforcing empathy and responsibility.
Personalized Learning Plans – We recognize that emotional well-being impacts academic performance, so our customized approach ensures that students receive the right balance of challenge and support.
Why Parents Love Our Approach
Parents often tell us how much they appreciate seeing their children develop not just academic confidence but also emotional resilience and social awareness. At Kalexedy, we don’t just prepare students for tests—we prepare them for life.
If you want your child to thrive academically and emotionally, Kalexedy Learning Center is the perfect place for them.
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