Question:
CALM DOWN TECHNIQUES
NATURE WALKS
Going on a walk is a daily activity around my house. Making it new and exciting takes a little imagination. I've made little shoulder bags from cotton material, but it is just as easy to give each child a grocery bag, just try to make sure it has an easy to carry handle. Every neighborhood changes throughout the year. Plan "theme" walks, changing with the season or current interest or lesson the children may have.
For example:
Try collecting different
Stones, Leaves (colored leaves in the fall),
Try finding different
Bugs, flowers, birds, red things (pick any color), round things, things that start with a T (or any letter)
The following song is easy to learn.
Let the kids make up a tune as they learn the words.
Taking a walk is so much fun,
We didn't hurry, we didn't run.
We watched for birds,
We watched for bees,
We looked at all the beautiful trees.
CALM DOWN TECHNIQUES
There are a number of suggestions you can give your child to help him/her calm down. Children need these "calm down techniques" modeled for them to learn. They aren't born with these techniques built in to their system. Here are a few suggestions, your family may have more to add to the list:
Walk away
Think of a peaceful place
Run a lap
Listen to music
Hit a pillow
Shoot baskets
Draw pictures
Talk to someone
Sing a song
Once the child chooses his "calm down" technique, encourage him to use the same strategy each time he starts to get angry.
TIME OUT FOR PARENTS
There are times all parents find themselves frustrated or angry. We are all human, after all! Turn these moments into a lesson for the entire family. Take a walk! Together (if you're up to it) or alone, a walk gives you a chance to think through your feelings and consider the consequences of the choices you have to make. Your kids will learn how to manage their own anger as well. Clearing your head before addressing the problem is modeling appropriate behavior as well! I often take a walk with someone when I have something to talk about with them. Being alone together and walking makes it easier to talk to them. I don't know what it is, maybe because it's a captive audience or maybe because you are only paying attention to them and they feel important. Whatever it is, it works!
Kid Frequently Asked Questions
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