2nd and 3rd grade students at Hilton and Chippewa Elementary School are currently learning about and practicing various calm-down techniques.  The social and emotional skill lessons are part of a unit about Emotion Management being taught by School Counselor Lynn Clapper.  Students learned how to utilize a belly-breathing technique as a positive and helpful way to deal with strong emotions such as feeling upset, frustrated or excited. Placing their hands on their stomachs, students take slow, deep breaths, inhaling through their nose and exhaling through their mouths.  To help remember the steps to each relaxation technique, students learned a fun “calm-it-down” dance which they can perform standing in front of their desk.  Students also engaged in discussion with fellow classmates to share their reactions and observations.  These calm-down techniques will help students to effectively manage stressful situations and strong emotions and provide an effective tool for students to overcome challenges and achieve success.