Finding My Calm

By Rebekah Lipp and Craig Phillips
Supporting our tamariki to understand their feelings and find calm

Big feelings can feel like a storm for our tamariki, sometimes overwhelming and hard to navigate. Finding My Calm gently guides younger children through these moments, offering a simple, playful mindfulness technique that helps them find their way back to calm.

Through a fun “Five, Four, Three, Two, One” rhyme, tamariki learn to use their senses to notice the world around them - what they can see, hear, feel, smell, and taste. It’s an easy, memorable way to pause and settle their bodies and minds when emotions feel too big.

How this resource supports our tamariki:

• Gives children a practical, easy-to-remember tool to calm themselves during moments of stress.
• Helps tamariki build confidence and resilience by showing them they can overcome overwhelming feelings.
• A beautiful way for parents and caregivers to connect with children through reading, while practicing calming techniques together.
• Supports emotional literacy and self-regulation skills that will benefit tamariki throughout life.