💛 SELGrade 2Lesson 4
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Handle Frustration Calmly

Lesson preview: the Mini Lesson and Vocabulary are open to everyone. Guided practice, exercises, the parent checklist and the printable PDF worksheet come with full access (free 7-day trial or membership).

Learning Objectives

  • 1Use the Notice, Breathe and think
  • 2Act steps to handle frustration calmly
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Mini Lesson

Frustration is what you feel when something is hard, takes too long, or does not go your way. Everyone feels frustrated sometimes — and there is a way to handle it!

Step 1 — Notice

  • Pause and notice that you feel frustrated.
  • Ask yourself: What is my body telling me? Am I tense, hot, or upset?

Step 2 — Breathe

  • Take three slow, deep breaths before doing anything.
  • Breathing slows your heart rate and helps your brain think clearly.

Step 3 — Think

  • Ask yourself: What is the problem? What can I do about it?
  • Think of at least one solution before acting.

Step 4 — Act

  • Choose a calm, helpful action — ask for help, try again, or take a break.
  • Avoid reacting with yelling, hitting, or giving up.
Four calming steps flowchartA vertical flowchart showing four steps: Notice, Breathe, Think, and Act connected by arrows.When frustrated...1. NoticePause and name the feeling2. Breathe3 slow, deep breaths3. ThinkWhat can I do about this?4. ActChoose a calm, helpful action
The four calming steps: Notice, Breathe, Think, Act.
Deep breathing illustrationA child face with expanding breath rings and the label breathe slowly to calm down.Breathe slowly to calm downbreathe...Slow breaths help your brain think!
Slow, deep breaths calm the body and brain.
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Ask yourself: "When I feel frustrated, can I notice it, breathe first, think of a solution, and then act calmly?"

Vocabulary
Frustration
The feeling when something is hard or does not go your waye.g. I felt frustration when the puzzle would not fit.
Notice
To pause and become aware of how you feele.g. First, I notice that I am frustrated.
Breathe
To take slow, deep breaths to calm downe.g. I breathe in and out three times to settle.
Calm
Peaceful and steady, not upsete.g. I felt calm after a few deep breaths.
React
To act quickly without thinkinge.g. Yelling is a way some people react when frustrated.
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