Take Time to Refocus when you are having a hard time.
This is the message your children are learning
at school: Sometimes, we need to slow ourselves down, utilize a helpful
strategy to help us relax and reflect, and then think about how to solve the
challenges in our life.
Every classroom at NES now has a Refocus Center in it-- a place where
kids can ask to go for a few minutes when they are worked up, when they’ve had
a disagreement with someone, or when they can’t focus on their school work.
There is a quiet place with a soft floor pillow, a reflection manual, and
some tools and strategies to select from. See how one school has utilized
this idea -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar0GPsEYjqY
If you would like to create a similar place in
your home when big emotions arise, consider where it could be and what you
might have in it. We are teaching children that there are healthy options
for de-stressing, for feeling their sadness, for working through their
frustration that can de-escalate the strong emotions. Collect some of the
following items and help children practice these strategies to see which ones
work best for them. Remind children of these strategies “in their
toolbox” when they need them. Talk
openly about your favorite ideas for taking care of yourself after a
difficult day. When children notice how we care for ourselves, they can
more easily develop self-care practices themselves.
Possible Calming Strategies to try with your children:
Deep breathing using a pinwheel Notice
something with all five of your senses
Deep breathing with a stuffed animal on your
belly Exercise
or do wall push ups
Deep breathing while drawing on your fingers Make
a fist and then release it
Finger breathing Talk
to yourself in a positive way
Take a mindful walk outside Take
a shower or warm bath
Yoga poses Count
to 100
Imagine your favorite place Listen
to music
Think of your favorite things Tighten,
then relax muscles from head to toe
Picture the people you care about Rock
and give yourself a hug
Coloring Watch
a glitter jar or liquid motion timer
Draw how you feel Read
Say the alphabet slowly Play
with your pet or a stuffed animal
Remember the words to a song you love Do
a random act of kindness
Run water over your hands List
all the things you are grateful for
Get a cool drink of water Dance
and giggle
Carry a worry stone or favorite object Create
with play dough, clay, or putty
*Check off ones you do. Circle ones you want to try.
Cross off ones that don’t work.
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