Calming Strategies For Kids

I am the mama who prepares my children for everything. Literally, everything. As my children get older and just considering the hustle and bustle of our everyday life with sports, school, extracurricular activities, outings, my career, etc., it is so important to me that I teach my children how to find moments of peace. Teaching my children self-calming strategies empowers them to find inner peace on their own, recognize and manage their emotions.

Effectiveness of calming strategies:

• Reduced stress levels

• Creates a more positive environment

• Lowers anxiety

• Limits outburst and bad behavior

• Helps cope with challenging emotions

• Promotes mindfulness (One of the most powerful self-calming practices is mindfulness. Being mindful is a psychological practice that focuses your thoughts on the present) Read related article, The Importance of Mindfulness for Kids

Here are my top calming strategies for kids:

Practice breathing exercises (deep breathing/belly breathing, yoga)

Controlled breathing can bring down anxiety, manage pain, discomfort, stop panic attacks and help balance unpleasant thoughts and even fight inflammation in the body.

Suggest coloring / arts & crafts

Coloring / arts & crafts is a great stress reliever and a great outlet for emotions. Encourage activities like painting, coloring, drawing, pottery and clay-making.

Play music

Soothing and/or classical music can help ease tension, overstimulation and release energy in a positive way.

Encourage journaling

Writing out feelings and emotions can promote calmness.

Engage in Lego / building blocks

This promotes concentration and encourages being present in the moment. You’ll find that it brings a sense of calmness.