Thanks to: growtherapist.com
Best calm-down tools are those that can be done by anyone, anywhere, anytime which is why this is probably an all-time favourite to teach children and adults alike!
It is called “Take 5 Breathing” and involves using a finger ‘pencil’ to trace around your hand. As the finger ‘pencil’ moves up each finger, you take a slow breath in, and then as it moves down each finger, you slowly exhale – resulting in 5 deep breaths.
The special thing about this technique is that it is not only a relaxing breathing activity, but the additional focus on tracing your hand and focusing on that sensory input adds an additional quality of grounding in the present moment. This is a great one to use for anxiety before a test or performance.
Remember that calm-down strategies need to be taught and practiced when children are calm so that they are already familiar to a child when they really need them. Trying to teach a calm-down tool to a child in the moment they most need it is not going to work!
Also, these strategies don’t just work for children…
The last week of school is a really stressful time for staff as well, so why not try incorporating some Take 5 Breathing into your own daily routine?
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