Anxiety and Worry Brain Breaks

Read a card, and the whole class answers at once by moving.

60 game cards
24 open practice cards
17 movement cards
Printable

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Scenario cards, worksheets, role play and more (grades K–8).

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Grades: K–2
What you get: 60 game cards in 6 rounds60 pages
Type: Brain Breaks
Use it: PrintView & Print in your browser
Competency: Self-Management
Topic: Anxiety & Worry

About this resource

Read a card, and the whole class answers at once by moving. These anxiety and worry brain breaks help children in Grades K–2 understand that worry is a normal helper feeling, notice it in their bodies, tell what-if guesses from what’s happening right now, and practice Brave Moves, small brave steps, and telling a grown-up. Every movement has a seated version, and it’s print and play, with no prep beyond printing.

What students practice

Everybody worries sometimes
Worry shows up in my body
Small worries, big worries
What-if thoughts
One brave step at a time
Getting help and my brave plan

What’s inside

60game cards in 6 rounds, each running Connect, Know, Choose, Do and Reflect, with a Round Card per round

24open practice cards to use any day, in any order

17movement cards, room signs, a movement menu and a printing guide

60pages

A detailed teacher script for every round, written to be read aloud
The “Brave Moves” poster with six moves to learn and practice

A look inside

Example card: “Maya is scared to read aloud. She reads one line, very quietly. Is that brave?”

Poster movesBumblebee Breath, Feet on the Floor, Check It, Worry Box, Brave Step, Tell a Grown-Up

Each Round Card gives the plan, what you’ll need and the goal for the end of the round

How to use these anxiety and worry brain breaks

Quick brain breakPull one open practice card or a single Do card for 2–5 minutes of movement between lessons

Full SEL lessonPlay one round (15–20 minutes) in morning meeting or SEL time; it ends calm, so children are ready for what’s next

Play the rounds in order the first time, then replay any round or pick single cards

Tight on space? Use the seated version of any movement at desks

Grade fit

You read every card aloud, so children don’t need to read to play. The situations come from their world, the answers are simple movements, and the corner signs use colors and shapes as well as letters.

Good to know

This game builds skills; it isn’t treatment. The teacher script marks the cards to read ahead, says when to check with your counselor first (for example after a fire drill or scary news), and explains what to do if a child’s worries seem big or constant: talk with the family and your counselor. Children practice telling a grown-up as one of the six moves.