This is an extract from Create Your own Calm – an activity book for 6-12 years olds written by Becky Goddard-Hill and published this week by Harper Collins. My friend Becky has written a number of books now that focus on wellbeing and emotional health for tweens and teens.
The books are adored by Erin who often dips in and out of the books at various points in the year. I have also bought these books as gifts for other tweens as I think they should be in every parent’s toolbox.
Create your Own Calm contains 50 activities, all backed by science, to support kids with their big feelings and develop ways they can help themselves to feel calmer
Here is an extract from the book: and a lovely activity for parents to create alongside their kids
How to make a calm down kit
Getting some distance from intense feelings so you can calm down and think clearly is very useful
A calm down kit is a great thing to have to help you cool down when your feelings are intense. It is simply a collection of things designed to distract and relax you. You could use a bag or a box and maybe stash it under your bed for easy access.
You get to decide what to put in your calm down kit but here are a few ideas:
- A joke book (to make you laugh)
- A bottle of bubbles and some feathers (for you to practice slow breathing on)
- A notebook and pen (for you to empty your mind and express the things that are bothering you)
- A stress ball you can squeeze and release (to decrease muscle tightness)
- A skipping rope (so you can get tension out your body)
- An mp3 player with some relaxing music on it (to bring your speedy your heart rate down)
- A little baby oil (so you can give yourself a hand massage)
What else can you think of?
Create your own calm…by always having things near that can help you relax
If you have enjoyed this activity check out these bloggers who have carried out more of the activities in the book.
Red Ted Art https://www.redtedart.com/ How to make a Relaxation jar
Penny Reads – http://www.pennyreads.co.uk/ Encourage Reading Activity / Book Bingo
Rainy Day Mum – https://rainydaymum.co.uk/ Stress Less Yoga for Kids
Much More for Less https://www.muchmorewithless.co.uk Nature Crafts
Emma and 3 – https://www.emmaand3.com Making a calm down kit
Growing Family https://growingfamily.co.uk/ Creating a pizza garden
Thrifty Mum https://thriftymum.com/ Cloud Watching
