The story
11 pages that walk through a big feeling, from “Sometimes I feel angry. That’s okay.” to “Now I feel better!”
Free printable social story
Calm Down Social Story for Kids
- Take a big breath
- Count to ten
- Take a walk
- Ask for space
- Ask for help
- Get a hug
A big feeling can arrive fast. This 15-page printable story helps a child notice it and choose a calm-down tool.
It comes with a breathe-along page, a count-along page and a My Calm-Down Tools poster for the fridge or the classroom wall.
Get the free story
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Free. No payment needed.
What is inside the free PDF
Simple words, one idea per page, and the same Arnold artwork families already know from the AutismWorks videos.
Breathe along
Circles that grow for “breathe in” and shrink for “breathe out”, so the child can follow with a finger.
Count along
Numbers 1 to 10 to touch one by one while counting slowly.
Tools poster
A “My Calm-Down Tools” poster with a line for the child’s name, plus a “circle one” choice page.
How to use it
- First
Read it at a calm time
Before bed or after school. A calm moment is the easiest time to learn a new tool.
- Then
Practise the tools together
Breathe along and count along with the child, so the tools feel easy when a big feeling comes.
- Next
Put up the poster
On the fridge, a bedroom door or the classroom wall, where the child can point to a tool.
Made by Tyler and his dad, Jody
Tyler McNamer is an autistic adult and the author of two books about growing up with autism, Population ONE and Becoming ONE. With his dad, Jody, he makes these free social stories so parents and teachers have simple words for hard moments.
190,000+books sold35,000+story downloads
Meet Tyler →