There are so many wonderful ways that kids can calm down when upset. From sensory breaks, brain breaks, yoga, etc., but often there are times that kids need help calming down outside of the home, or in a situation where such opportunities are not available. These calming tools allow for kids to calm down anywhere, in the car, or even in a crowd.
Here are 8 simple ways kids can calm down anywhere:
Count to 5. Counting is a really great way to help kids slow their breathing down, and can ground them. If really upset, a child might need to do this multiple times.
Take a deep breath. Taking a few deep breaths can be so relaxing for kids, and can also help slow their heart rate down.
Blow into your hands. Blowing into hands gives kids the feedback of what deep breathing feels like physically, and can be a really calming process.
Place hands in pockets. When kids have a difficult time keeping their hands calm when upset, placing their hands in their pockets, or sitting on them, can give them an alternative to aggression.
Notice what your body feels like. In the infographic, I wrote ‘notice antecedents to behavior’ which is great for parents to do, but is also important for kids to begin to do. This is a fancy way of saying ‘notice what comes first’. By recognizing what happens in your body when upset (such as a racing heart, sweaty hands, etc) kids can learn these cues and practice their calming tools before becoming too upset.
Make a fist, then relax the hands. This is another great feedback exercise, where kids have a way of feeling pressure and then practicing muscle relaxation. It is also another great alternative for kids who turn to aggression when upset.
Relax the muscles in your body. On the infographic, this is ‘do a body scan’. Help kids learn to start at the top of their body and work down, purposefully relaxing all of the muscles they can think about and focus on.
Ask for a hug. Hugging is a really powerful calming tool, and can go a long way towards making kids feel better.
Find and save your calm down poster here:
Source from: http://themommyview.viewsfromastepstool.com/index.php/2017/04/03/calm-down-anywhere/