Calming Down Strong Feelings

Calming-down strategies can help children manage strong feelings when angry.  When coaching children to use these strategies, make sure that they are able to think clearly and are not overwhelmed by emotion. 

You can teach children a three step process to calm down:

Belly breathing: Put your hand on your tummy and take 3 deep breathes.
Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.  Feel your tummy move in and out. 
Belly breathing helps lower blood pressure and heart rate which calms the body

Say "Calm Down" using  a slow-down snail voice 5 times

Slowly count out loud to five: 1...2...3...4...5...

                                                                    




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