🐶 My Safe Place
What helps you feel safe at home or school?
Safety can come from being with kind people, having a cozy blanket, hearing soft sounds, or knowing the rules. Everyone’s “safe stuff” is different!
Show me a happy face with your body or a drawing
Happy might look like a smile, open hands, bright eyes. Drawing it helps your brain remember good feelings.
What is the turtle part of the brain?
This is your survival brain. It helps you stay safe — like a turtle pulling into its shell when it feels danger.
When your turtle brain thinks there’s trouble, it says ‘Hide!’ even if nothing’s really wrong. It’s trying to help — but sometimes it’s too quick.
What’s one thing that helps your body feel calm?
Hugs, slow breathing, rocking, music, humming, or soft toys can help your brain switch from “alarm” to “okay.”
Tell me about something hard you did, even if it was scary
Maybe you spoke in class, tried a new thing, or told someone your feelings. That’s courage — even if it felt shaky.
Make your silliest animal noise!
(No wrong answer! Laughter helps the brain relax and feel safe.)
Who helps you feel safe?
Safe people are ones who listen, protect, and are gentle with you — like a grown-up, a teacher, or even a pet.
Can you show me what a worried face looks like?
Worried might mean eyebrows down, biting your lip, fidgeting hands. Showing the face helps you name the feeling.
Whats your Owl Brain?
This part of your brain helps you think clearly, make choices, and solve problems.
Your wise owl helps you decide what’s really safe or dangerous — but if the lion’s roaring, your owl flies away for a little while
What helps you calm down when you're mad or scared?
You might need space, to stomp it out, draw, or tell someone. Everyone’s calm-down tools are different!
Finish this: “When I feel nervous, I can try to…”
...breathe, ask for help, hold my fidget, talk to someone, take a break, or remind myself: “This will pass.”
Dance for 5 seconds
Movement shakes out stress. Dancing = brain booster!
Draw or imagine your “safe place”
This could be real or pretend — a room, a forest, under a blanket fort. A place where your body and heart feel calm and not worried.
What do you feel when your stomach feels tight?
That might be nervous, scared, or upset. Our feelings live in our bodies — especially our bellies!
What's the Lion part of the Brain
The amygdala! It watches for danger all the time. It’s like your brain’s guard lion.
When your guard lion thinks something’s scary — even if it’s not — it roars to get you ready to run, fight, or freeze. Sometimes it roars too loud.
Show me 3 ways to help your body slow down
Ideas: Take deep breaths, squeeze a pillow, count to 10, stretch like a cat. These help your brain feel safe again.
What does your brave voice sound like?
It might say, “I can try,” “I’ve done hard things before,” or even just “I showed up.” Brave voices can be quiet and still count.
Pick a toy to do the next question with
Using a toy or puppet helps some kids feel braver sharing feelings.
What smells, colors, or sounds help you feel safe?
Maybe soft music, lavender, the smell of cookies, or seeing the color blue. These can be part of your calm-down plan.
Can a face look happy and sad at the same time? Let’s try!
Yes! Feelings can mix — like being happy to see someone but sad to say goodbye. It’s okay to have more than one feeling at once.
What happens when there is too much going on?
When the brain feels overwhelmed, the thinking part (your wise owl) disconnects — so it’s harder to listen, learn, or talk.
It’s like a lid flying off a pot of soup when it gets too hot. You need to cool down before you can think again.
Try a belly breath with me. What do you notice?
You might feel your body slow down, your shoulders drop, or your brain stop racing. Breathing helps your guard lion calm down.
What’s one thing you’re proud of today?
Maybe you got out of bed, stayed in the room, said how you feel, or didn’t yell when you wanted to. Proud things can be small and still powerful.
Pretend you’re a superhero. What’s your power?
Maybe invisibility, mega kindness, or calming animals! Imagination helps the brain feel powerful instead of stuck.
What do you want grownups to know when you don’t feel safe?
You might want to say: “I feel scared,” “I need space,” or “Please help me calm down.” Your voice matters even when you feel small.
Can you draw how you feel today using colors?
Red might be mad, blue might be sad, yellow might be silly. There’s no wrong color — your drawing shows your inside world.
Does your brain have a remote control?
When you learn calm-down tools, it’s like giving your brain a remote to press “pause.”
If your brain is stuck on the ‘panic’ channel, deep breathing or moving your body helps you switch to the ‘okay’ channel.
What’s your “calm-down kit” have in it?
Maybe squishies, coloring pages, headphones, fidgets, or soft things. Your kit = your superpower box!
What do you want to tell the “scared part” of you?
“I hear you.” “You’re not alone.” “I’ll help you.” Being kind to your scared part helps it calm down and trust you.
Tell me a silly joke or make one up!
Humor brings safety. Laughter tells your brain, “We’re okay right now.”
What does your body feel like when you feel really safe?
Safe can feel like warm, soft, or loose muscles. You might smile, breathe slower, or want to snuggle something cozy.
What do you think your face or body does when you feel nervous?
You might scrunch your face, cross your arms, look down, fidget, or feel tense. Your body shows clues about your feelings, even before you speak!
True or False: Feelings can be like a storm
Fact: Big feelings can swirl fast and loud in your brain and body.
It’s like a storm in your chest or your head. Every storm passes. You have an umbrella (coping skills) to help stay dry (calm).
What’s a sound or song that helps you feel calmer or braver?
Music can help your brain feel safer. Some kids like soft songs, nature sounds, lullabies, or even fun, silly songs that make them smile. Your ears help tell your brain, “It’s okay now.”
What helps you try again after something doesn’t go the way you hoped?
Sometimes it helps to take a break, talk to a grown-up, say kind words to yourself, or remember something you’ve already done that was hard. Trying again is a brave thing!
If your feelings were animals, what would they be today?
Scared might be a mouse, happy a puppy, mad a bear. Naming your “feeling animals” helps you understand what you’re feeling.