Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Cool Down Comic: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 1
- ForYear 1
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Cool Down Comic is a free printable PSHE worksheet for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6). Children follow Mia, who gets cross when her tower falls down. They draw each panel, add what Mia says in the speech bubble, and think about how she calms herself. It needs only paper and a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help, a stretch idea and answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Cool Down Comic is a short comic about Mia. Children follow her story in order, one panel at a time. They draw Mia's face when her tower falls down. They draw a speech bubble and write what she says when she feels hot and cross. They draw her taking slow breaths, then draw what she does next once she feels calm. There are lines for writing and boxes for drawing or notes.
- 1. The tower falls down. Draw Mia's face.
- 2. Mia feels hot and cross. Draw a speech bubble. What does she say?
- 3. Mia takes three slow breaths. Draw her breathing.
- 4. Mia feels calm. Draw what she does next.
How the comic builds, panel by panel
Panel 1: the face
The tower falls down and children draw Mia's face. This is a chance to think about how eyes, eyebrows and mouth show a feeling. Children choose the face, so there is room for their own ideas.
Panel 2: the speech bubble
Mia feels hot and cross. Children draw a speech bubble and write what she says. This links a feeling to words, which is a useful step towards telling someone how you feel.
Panel 3: the slow breaths
Mia takes three slow breaths. Children draw her breathing. Talk about how a drawing can show slow breathing, such as a calm face or a tummy that looks different.
Panel 4: feeling calm
Mia feels calm. Children draw what she does next. This is the open ending of the story, so it is a good moment to talk about what helps your child when they feel better.
Why use a comic to talk about feelings?
Young children often find it easier to show a feeling than to explain it. A comic gives them a small, safe story to work with. Mia is a character, so children can talk about her feelings first. That can feel less personal than talking about their own, and it often leads to them sharing their own experiences when they are ready.
The story has a clear order: something goes wrong, Mia feels cross, she does something to calm down, and she feels better. Seeing that order on the page helps children understand that big feelings pass and that there are things we can do to help. Slow breathing is one simple idea children can practise at home and in class.
Skills and curriculum link
- Naming feelings
- Calming down ideas
- Telling a story in order
- Drawing and mark making
- Writing a short phrase
- Talking about emotions
Helping children talk about feelings
- Name the feelingGive children simple words such as cross, sad, worried or calm. The more words they know, the easier it is to say what is going on inside.
- All feelings are normalFeeling cross sometimes is part of being human. What matters is what we do next. Say this out loud so children hear it.
- Bodies give cluesFeelings often show in our bodies, such as a hot face, tight hands or a fast heartbeat. Noticing these clues can help children spot a feeling early.
- Calming is a skillChildren get better at calming down with practice. Try calming ideas when everyone is relaxed, so they are familiar when a big feeling comes.
Key words
- FeelingWhat you feel inside, such as happy, sad, cross or calm.
- CrossFeeling annoyed or angry about something.
- CalmFeeling settled and relaxed, not upset.
- PanelOne picture box in a comic. A comic tells a story in panels.
- Speech bubbleA shape in a comic that holds the words a character says.
- Slow breathA breath that is taken in and let out gently and without rushing.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Read the story aloud first. Point to each panel so your child knows the order.
- Let your child draw each panel in order. Talk about each choice as you go, and work through it together the first time.
- Check against the notes and answers on page 2. Ask your child to tell you about their drawings.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Let your child act out the faces and slow breaths first. Look in a mirror and try a cross face, then a calm one. Then draw what you saw. An adult can scribe the speech bubble while the child says the words.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to draw a second comic about a different time they felt cross and what helped. They can use the same panel order: what happened, how they felt, what they did, and how they felt after.
Make it a game
Practise tummy breathing together. Lie down or sit comfortably and rest a hand on your tummy. Breathe in for three and out for three, and watch your tummy rise and fall. Take turns to count out loud.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child draws a face but it is hard to tell what Mia feels.
Try thisMake the faces together first. Ask what the eyebrows and mouth are doing, then try the drawing again.
Watch forA child leaves the speech bubble empty because writing feels like too much.
Try thisLet them say the words aloud first. An adult can scribe, or the child can write the first sound of each word.
Watch forA child skips a panel or draws them out of order.
Try thisRead the story again and point to each number. Use the words first, next, then and last to help.
Talk about it
- How do you think Mia felt when the tower fell down? How can you tell?
- What do you do when something goes wrong and you feel cross?
- What did you draw in the bubble? Why did you choose those words?
- How do you feel in your body when you are cross? What about when you are calm?
- Who could Mia tell about how she feels?
- What helps you feel calm again?
Take it off the page
Mirror faces
Stand in front of a mirror and make a cross face, a sad face, a surprised face and a calm face. Take turns guessing each other's faces.
Fall down tower
Build a tower from soft blocks or cushions and let it fall. Talk about how it feels when something you made falls down, and what you could do next.
Gentle bubble breaths
Pretend to blow a big bubble very slowly. Breathe in through your nose and out gently through your mouth, making the bubble grow bigger.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go and let them lead. Read the story aloud and ask about each drawing. Keep it relaxed. If your child wants to talk about a time they felt cross, listen first.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, supply resource or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. It can sit alongside circle time or a story about feelings, and page 2 supports mixed groups.
Home educators
Pair the comic with books, outdoor play and everyday talk about feelings. It can be printed again for brothers and sisters, or revisited another day. Children may draw something different each time.
Where this fits in learning
Before this sheet, children build the idea that feelings have names and that other people have feelings too. Simple stories, circle time and talking about faces in picture books all help. Children need only a little drawing and writing skill to take part.
After this sheet, children can talk about more feelings and about what helps in different situations. They can practise calming ideas and learn to ask a trusted adult for help. Making their own comic about a time they felt cross is a good next step.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Cool Down Comic for?
It is written for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6), in Key Stage 1. Children need to be able to draw and to write a short phrase, though an adult can scribe for anyone who needs it.
- What will children practise?
They practise recognising and naming feelings, and simple ways to calm down when feeling cross or upset. They also practise telling a story in order by drawing each panel in turn.
- What is on page 2?
Page 2 is for the grown up. It has notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard, a stretch idea and the answers.
- What if my child finds it hard?
Let them act out the faces and slow breaths first, then draw what they did. An adult can scribe the speech bubble. Work through it together the first time and talk about each choice.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil, so it works for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. Children draw and write by hand and talk with a grown up.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 gives support and stretch ideas.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children can add their own colour with pencils or crayons if they would like to.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.