Calming Strategies

A calming strategy is a self-regulation tool that can be taught to a student or group of students to use or implement when facing difficult or challenging situations. The calming strategy supports the student in making a choice other than the student's typical response.

Why is this important? Learning to regulate our emotional responses, especially during times of stress, can be difficult. ... Calming strategies can help a child to work through strong emotions. When calming strategies are practiced regularly throughout the day, the possibility for use at times of anxiety is increased.

Benefits of Calming Tools and Strategies

Gives child ownership over emotions

Provides sensory input

Increases awareness of feelings and triggers

Increases flexibility

Helps a child remain calm

Reduces inappropriate behaviors

Helps develop independence

Give a visual representation and way to communicate with others

Reduces anxiety over anticipated events

Behaviors That Can Be Calmed with Tools and Strategies

Fidgeting

Restlessness

Refusing Sleep

Anger

Fear

Nervousness

Anxious Feelings

Worries

Meltdowns

Frustrations

Mood Regulation

Nail Biting

Over-Excitability

Refusing to Go to School

Upset Stomachs

Sadness

Crying

Yelling

Physical Aggression

When Should Calm Down Tools Be Used?

Calm down tools and strategies can be used anytime before, during or after an anxious thought or feeling. They can be used to prevent a meltdown or used to calm fidgety legs before a performance.

Whatever the case may be calming strategies work with practice, consistency, and repetition.

You can’t expect your child to calm down with the first sight of a glitter bottle if you have never introduced them during a non-threatening moment.

New Tasks

Transitions

Social Events

Routines that Tend to Cause Anxiety

Difficult Decision Making

Anticipation of Events

Feelings/Emotions Charts

Sibling Problem Solving