Social Emotional Wellness

Calm down tips that can be used anywhere

1. Count to 5- counting is a great way to help kids learn how to stop and think before reacting to their anger.  Impulse control is difficult to come by for young kids.  This simple tactic gives them a chance to think before they act

2. Take a Deep Breath- Deep breathing is such a great relaxation technique.  Despite how they are feeling taking a deep breath (or two) can help them calm their bodies down quickly

3. Blow into your Hands- This is another technique for promoting deep breathing.  By blowing directly into their hands rather than the air, the child receives feedback and can feel the strength of their breaths

4. Place Hands in Pockets- This act provides kids with some deep pressure and physical restraint.  An alternative to this would be to sit on hands or clasp them tightly

5. Acknowledge Antecedents to Anger- It is so important that kids begin to notice and realize what happens to their bodies when they become angry.  What does their face feel like?  Is there tension in their body?

6. Make a Fist, then relax the hand- Squeezing hands into fists and then releasing is a great way to remove some of the tension built up in the body.  Often kids do not realize how much tension they are holding in their bodies when they become upset

7. Do a Body Scan- Start at the head and working down the body notice areas of tension and relax those muscles

8. Ask for a Hug- Hugs make everything better.  Find someone you love and hug it out