Let me paint a quick picture.
A student walks into my room overwhelmed.
Tears. Frustration. Shutdown.
They’re not ready to learn.
They’re not ready to talk.
They’re just…stuck.
And honestly, how many times do we feel the exact same way as adults?
The Truth We Don’t Talk About Enough
We expect kids to “push through.”
Sit down. Focus. Get it together.
But the reality is this:
You can’t learn when your body is dysregulated.
And that goes for all of us.
Kids don’t need more pressure in those moments.
They need a reset.
My Go-To: The 5-Minute Reset
In my classroom, we don’t force it.
We reset it.
Sometimes that looks like:
- A quick break in a quiet space
- A few minutes on the vibration plate
- Deep breaths
- Or tapping
And I’ll be honest with you—
Tapping has been one of the biggest game changers.
What Is Tapping?
Tapping (also known as EFT—Emotional Freedom Technique) is a simple strategy where you gently tap on certain points on your body while focusing on what you’re feeling.
It can sound a little unfamiliar at first.
But here’s what I’ve seen firsthand:
- Kids calm down faster
- They’re able to name their feelings
- They transition back to learning much more smoothly
And the best part is that it takes about 2–5 minutes.
What It Looks Like in Real Life
A student comes in upset.
We don’t jump into questions.
We keep it simple:
- “Even though I’m feeling really frustrated…I’m okay.”
- Tap through a few points
- Breathe
That’s it.
No long conversations.
No overcomplicating it.
And more times than not, you can actually see the shift happen.
And It’s Not Just for Kids
This isn’t just a classroom strategy.
There have been plenty of days where I’ve used it myself.
Before a stressful meeting
After a long day
Or just to reset my mindset
Because we don’t outgrow overwhelm.
The Bigger Shift
It’s not about stopping emotions.
It’s about moving through them.
When we give kids, and ourselves, simple tools like this, we’re not just solving a moment.
We’re building lifelong skills.
For Teachers AND Parents
If you’re a teacher,
what would your classroom feel like if kids had a way to reset quickly?
If you’re a parent,
what would it look like if your child had a tool they could actually use when they’re overwhelmed?
Not later.
Not after a lecture.
In the moment.
Quick 2–5 Minute Tapping Guide (Try This)
You can do this anywhere—classroom, home, car, even before a meeting.
Step 1: Name the feeling
Keep it simple:
“I feel frustrated.”
“I feel overwhelmed.”
Step 2: Set-up phrase (repeat 2–3 times)
“Even though I feel [emotion], I’m okay.”
(Example: “Even though I feel really frustrated, I’m okay.”)
Step 3: Tap through these points (5–10 taps each)
- Side of hand (karate chop area)
- Top of head
- Eyebrow
- Side of eye
- Under eye
- Under nose
- Chin
- Collarbone
Step 4: Breathe
Take a slow, deep breath.
Step 5: Check in
Ask: “Do I feel a little better?”
If needed, repeat once or twice.
That’s it. No overthinking.
A Simple Way to Introduce Tapping to Kids
The Wizard’s Wish by Brad Yates is a great resource for introducing tapping to children in a way that actually makes sense to them. Through a fun, engaging story, kids learn how to work through big emotions using simple tapping techniques—without it feeling like a “lesson.”
It’s an easy way to start conversations about feelings, build self-regulation skills, and give kids a tool they can use in real-life moments. Whether you’re a teacher or a parent, this is a great entry point into tapping for younger kids.
I’d Love to Hear From You
Have you ever tried tapping?
Would you try this with your kids, or even yourself?
Drop a comment or message me. I’m always curious how this looks in other homes and classrooms.
