Journey to Calm

Journey to Calm

A mindful game of reflection, one step at a time.

Created by Kate Baker

Game Rationale

Custom Game

SEL Explained

ISTE Standards

How to Play

How to Play with a Group

https://bit.ly/gameSEL

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Kate Baker, M.Ed & MAIT Veteran English teacher, therapy-dog handler, and swim coach turned edtech strategist, Kate blends 25+ years in education with a passion for purposeful tech, SEL, and human-centered design. She's an adjunct prof, MindUP program specialist, Flipped Learning Network board member, and Head of Community Engagement at BookWidgets—where she helps teachers turn “what if?” into “let’s do this.” 📍 Connect:

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Customizable Version

SEL Explained

ISTE Standards

Game Rationale

Journey to Calm - Game Rationale

Zone 1: Focus & Grounding Players engage in calming, sensory-based activities that shift attention inward and build self-regulation through quiet focus and visual engagement. Zone 2: Self-Awareness & Self-Talk Activities support emotional identification and the development of healthy inner dialogue, aligned with foundational self-awareness strategies. Zone 3: Gratitude & Appreciation Players reflect on positive moments and sources of support in their lives, strengthening perspective-taking and emotional resilience. Zone 4: Kindness & Connection This zone encourages recognition of others’ needs and offers opportunities to explore empathy, compassion, and prosocial behavior. Zone 5: Confidence & Closure The final activities promote self-reflection, affirmation, and goal-setting, helping students internalize learning and identify their next steps forward.

Journey to Calm is a digital board game designed to support students in developing core social and emotional learning (SEL) skills through structured reflection, creative engagement, and low-stress interactive activities. The game’s spiral layout is intentional: it symbolizes inward focus, mindful progression, and personal growth. As players move from the outer rings to the calm center, they are guided through a sequence of five themed zones, each rooted in evidence-based SEL practices.

🎯 The Goal of the Game

To guide students through a calming, reflective journey that strengthens emotional regulation, self-awareness, empathy, and confidence—one mindful step at a time. Rather than focusing on competition or points, the purpose is to help students slow down, reflect, and reconnect with themselves and with others.

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Customizable Version

SEL Explained

ISTE Standards

Customizable Version

🎲 Play the Game

ISTE Standards

Game Rationale

Aligned with the CASEL Core Competencies Journey to Calm is intentionally designed to support development of the five core competencies outlined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL):

Journey to Calm - SEL Explained

• Self-Awareness: Zones 1 and 2 help students recognize their emotions, thoughts, and internal dialogue. Activities like reflection prompts, breathing exercises, and affirmation puzzles guide learners in understanding their emotional states and identities.

Grounded in Trauma-Informed & Mindfulness-Based SEL

The game also incorporates evidence-based principles to support emotional safety and regulation:

• Predictable structure and low-stress entry points: Sensory-based tasks regulate the nervous system and reduce cognitive load.

• Choice and agency: Students move at their own pace with non-evaluative, self-directed activities.

• Emotional safety and connection: Activities foster empathy and awareness without requiring personal disclosure or social risk.

• Body-brain integration: Breathing, drawing, and tactile visuals promote regulation through physical engagement.

• Present-moment reflection: Prompts encourage students to pause, notice, and respond with intention.

• Self-Management: In Zones 1, 2, and 5, students practice strategies to manage stress, control impulses, and stay motivated. Tasks such as mandala coloring, maze tracing, goal setting, and journaling build focus, regulation, and confidence.

• Social Awareness: Zones 3 and 4 promote empathy and perspective-taking through gratitude reflections, kindness-matching games, and scenario-based prompts that highlight others’ needs.

• Relationship Skills: Zone 4 activities like kind note writing and inclusive discussion prompts encourage caring communication and connection-building

• Responsible Decision-Making: Students explore positive behavior choices and goal setting across Zones 4 and 5. Activities foster reflection, affirm intentions, and support long-term well-being.

Journey to Calm - ISTE Standards

Customizable Version

SEL Explained

Game Rationale

Alignment with ISTE Standards for Students Empowered Learner (1a, 1c, 1d): Students take ownership of their emotional regulation and learning pace. The game supports self-awareness, goal setting, and reflection through choice-driven, low-stakes activities. Digital Citizen (2b, 2c): Students demonstrate empathy, respect, and kindness during collaborative play. The game promotes responsible and ethical behavior in digital spaces. Knowledge Constructor (3a, 3c): Learners curate personal experiences and ideas through structured reflection and emotion-focused tasks, making meaningful connections to real-life SEL contexts. Creative Communicator (6a, 6d): Students express themselves through drawing, journaling, and interactive activities. The game allows for varied communication methods to support diverse learners. Global Collaborator (7a, 7b): In group settings, the game encourages perspective-taking, empathy, and shared problem-solving—building positive interpersonal skills and social awareness.

ISTE Standards for Educators 1. Facilitator (6a, 6b): Educators use Journey to Calm to support student agency and personalized learning. The game encourages reflection, SEL growth, and flexible entry points based on student needs. 2. Designer (5a, 5b): By adapting or creating new activities with the Hotspot Image widget, educators design authentic, learner-driven experiences that integrate SEL with digital creativity and accessibility in mind. 3. Analyst (7a): The reflective nature of the game—especially in journaling and goal-setting tasks—provides opportunities for formative insights into student well-being, motivation, and mindset.

ISTE Standards for Education Leaders 1. Equity and Citizenship Advocate (1b, 1c): Journey to Calm supports equitable learning through trauma-informed, SEL-centered design. It fosters safe environments for students to explore identity, empathy, and connection. 2. Visionary Planner (2a, 2d): Leaders can promote tools like Journey to Calm as part of a broader digital wellness and SEL initiative, integrating it into advisory programs, school counseling, or classroom routines.

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Journey to Calm - Customizable Version

Want to make 'Journey to Calm' your own?

While this version was built in Genially, you can access a fully customizable version created entirely in BookWidgets. Continue playing with even more games made with BookWidgets.

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