▶ Listen to the Story
Invite students to get comfortable, trace a spiral on their palm, and press play to listen together.
Length: about 9 minutes · Recommended for K–5 listeners
About This Story
In this audio story, Shelly feels swirly and worried about the Big Ocean Talent Show. Her tummy feels twisty, her thoughts are spinning, and she doesn't know what her "talent" should be. With support from Manny and her friends, Shelly learns that she's in the Yellow Zone—and that all zones are okay.
Manny teaches Shelly Spiral Breath, a gentle 4-2-5 breathing pattern that uses the spiral on her shell as a visual guide. Shelly discovers that her swirly feelings don't have to disappear completely for her to be okay; she can use tools, ask for help, and still show up bravely.
Ideas for Using Shelly's Story
- Introduce the Yellow Zone: Use this story when teaching about worried, wiggly, or overwhelmed feelings. Pause to name the Yellow Zone together.
- Practice Spiral Breath: After listening, invite students to hold out a "seashell" hand and practice Spiral Breath—breathing in as they trace inward and out as they trace outward.
- Normalize asking for help: Discuss how Shelly asked her friends and Manny for support, and why that was a brave choice.
- Connect to classroom tools: Link the story to your zone check-ins, Calm Corner visuals, and any Yellow Zone strategy cards you use.
- Reflect on "being enough": Invite students to share times when they felt worried but still did something brave, even if they didn’t feel completely "all better."
All Zones are okay. This story helps students see that Yellow Zone worries are a normal part of being human—and that they can use tools and trusted people to feel safer.