Social distancing is tough. We are into May and have been social distancing for almost two months already! Tensions are rising as we all try to manage day to day life from home. If you or your children are having a hard time staying calm right now – don’t worry! You are not alone! That is why I have decided to dedicate May to becoming “Calm”. This month we will be talking about all things Calming – and I can think of no better place to start, than by creating a Calm Down Zone!
Creating a Calm Down Zone in your house can be a great way to help kids (and parents!) stay calm or become calm when emotions run high. A Calm Down Zone is a place in the house that is just for calming down. We don’t use that special space for anything else. It could be a corner in you child’s bedroom, the dining room, basement, or anywhere that your child feels they can relax in. The goal is to build a new habit of going to the Calm Down Zone to practice calming strategies when emotions start to build.
What to put in a Calm Down Zone
- Involve your child in creating the calm down zone, choosing where it will go, and what will go in it.
- Start with the space! Add in some comfort with blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals to make the space as comfortable as possible.
- Then, add in calming activities, like books, puzzles, squishies, and calming toys or games of your child’s choosing. These activities should stay in the Calm Down Zone.
- Add any reminders of calming strategies that your child has – pictures or signs to remember to take deep breaths, count to ten, or get a drink of water can help your child remember to use their calming strategies.
- Add a journal or drawing material so your child can writer their feelings or draw them.
How to Use the Calm Down Zone
Now that you have it all set up, we want to encourage children to be able to use it when they need it. We can start by using it together with them – they may need a LOT of practice before they are able to use it on their own.
A great way to motivate children to try a new skill is to try it yourself! Set up your own calming area in the house and model taking breaks to calm down for your child to help motivate them to do the same.
Calm Down Zones can help children have the space and resources they need to cope with big emotions. It is important that we don’t use the Calm Down Zone as punishment by forcing children to use it, but rather encourage them to sue to it take care of themselves by using it with them, praising them for using it, and using our own calming areas to take breaks when we need it.
What is in your Calm Down Zone?
Until next time,
Meg
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