CALMING TECHNIQUES - FOR KIDS & ADULTS

Sometimes we all get overwhelmed with big feelings. Here are some calming techniques that our Parent Connect group came up with for grownups and for little ones.

• Take care of your basic needs

• Take deep breaths (more specifics below)

• Drink water

• Take a nap - lay down for 15 minutes

• Have a healthful snack - protein, fruits, veggies

• Move your body - stretch, take a walk/run

•  Sunshine (indoor “happy light”)

• Mental health - therapy

• Connect with yourself

• How am I feeling right now?

• Journal

• Pray/ meditate - try a meditation app

• Be creative - write a poem, play music, paint, knit, draw, build…

• Connect with others

• Call a friend

• Meet for a walk/ playdate

• Nurture relationships within a community, like in a faith-based community or neighborhood

• Connect with nature

• Garden/ have indoor plants

• Pause to watch the sun rise or set

• Notice the nature around you

• Listen to the birds, water flowing, play meditative music

• Pet a dog, cat

Ms. Ann’s dog, Daisy

More ideas for kids (and grown ups):

• Comfort item - blanket, stuffed animal, etc.

• Draw an angry/happy/sad picture

• Take a break - be by oneself for a while, look at a book

• Cuddle, rocking chair

• Sensory input - “Do you need a tight squeeze?”, play with playdough, water, sand

• Taking deep breaths

  • 5 finger breaths - run one finger up and down the fingers on your other hand slowly taking a breath in as you go up the finger and blow out slowly as your finger goes down.

  • Blow bubbles

  • Blow a pinwheel

  • Make a breathing wand - see below

Made with toilet paper tubes and curly ribbon or streamers.

Here are some ways that we “take a break” and calm our bodies at preschool.