10 GREAT Calm Down Strategies for Kids: Emotional Regulation Series Part 2
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Welcome to part 2 of the Emotional Regulation Series here at One Giggle at a Time! Emotional regulation is one of the most important skills you can teach to your early elementary students. Not only does it help them learn to identify and manage their emotions, but it also lays the foundation for academic and lifelong success. Calm down strategies are a great way to help your students manage their big feelings when they happen. Let’s dive into 10 great calm down strategies for kids and how you can use them to create a more balanced, positive classroom environment for everyone!
The Importance of Emotional Regulation for Kids
Emotional regulation is the ability to manage one’s emotions, control behaviors, and maintain calm during stressful or hard situations. It’s not really something that comes naturally to anyone— especially kids!
Picture this:
A student feels frustrated because their tower keeps falling over.
One of two things will likely happen:
1. A regulated child might take a deep breath and try to rebuild the tower or ask someone for help.
2. An unregulated child might kick the blocks, knock over someone else’s tower, or let out a scream before bolting out of your classroom.
You’ve likely seen some variation of both responses, and you know that the second one can totally disrupt the environment of your entire classroom for the rest of the day!
Benefits of Teaching Emotional Regulation to Kids
Teaching emotional regulation skills empowers students to manage their behaviors, pay better attention in class, and build more positive relationships with others.
Establishing a strong foundation of emotional regulation also builds greater confidence in kids and allows them to go through the school day more productively.
And as you know, when those couple of kids who struggle with emotional regulation skills are actually emotionally regulated, the entire classroom culture is more positive!
So you know you need to help your students learn to regulate their emotions, but how? As discussed in part 1 of this series, calming and sensory tools are one helpful way to address big emotions, but teaching calm down strategies for kids is another vital piece of the emotional regulation puzzle.
Calm Down Strategies for Kids
Calm down strategies encourage students to pay attention to their feelings and bring themselves back to a feeling of peace.
Practice these 10 calm down strategies for kids so they can be prepared for big feelings the next time they come:
1. Stop and take a deep breath.
Sometimes, all it takes is one big inhale to completely reset! This strategy to perfect to do as a whole-class exercise when you feel like everyone is a little on edge.
2. Ask a grown-up for help.
Teach your students that it’s okay to ask for help when they need it. Not all kids have home lives where this is the expectation, so taking time to explain this is important!
When kids learn this, they build their trust in others and are more likely to open up when more challenging situations arise.
3. Squeeze a pillow or sensory tool.
This calm down strategy engages the tactile senses and can help kids physically reduce tension in their bodies.
*Check out some favorite calming and sensory tools in part 1 of this series!
4. Slowly count to 10.
Slowly counting to 10 is another excellent calm down strategy to practice together as a class. It’s a tried-and-true option that really works wonders, and it’s easy for kids to use independently when big feelings arise.
5. Go for a walk.
A quick stroll down the hallway can help release extra energy and refocus the mind when emotions are swirling around a little too much.
…Of course, they need to ask you first!
6. Read a book.
Encourage students to read a few pages from their library book during the extra moments during the day. Stories can help students move their worries away from the forefront of their minds.
7. Color a picture or doodle.
Coloring or drawing is a powerful tool to help kids communicate their feelings visually, be mindful of their movements, and process their emotions.
8. Listen to music.
Calming music or favorite songs can create an instant mood booster or needed relaxation. Consider adding a CD player to your calm down corner or playing classical music from a Bluetooth speaker when the energy in your classroom feels a little too much.
9. Think about a happy or funny memory.
Encourage your students to pause and remember a happy or funny memory in moments when they are feeling anxious or sad. This can help refocus their minds.
Laughter really is the best medicine!
10. Take a sip of water.
Finally, taking a sip of water can help distract and soothe a little one’s mind and body when their mind is overwhelmed by big emotions.
For even more easy and effective calm down strategies, the Calm Down Social Skills Story & Activities resource will be your secret weapon to success! This kid-friendly resource makes teaching emotional regulation strategies a breeze with the variety of digital and printable activities and teaching tools included.
How to Implement These Strategies in Your Classroom
There are so many great ways to practice and encourage your students to use these calm down strategies in your classroom. Consider these options:
- Implementing a Feelings Circle
- Using a Worry Jar
- Writing Positive Notes to Celebrate Emotional Growth
Giving your students a variety of opportunities to practice their calm down strategies will help them develop important self-regulation skills!
Emotional Regulation Bundle
Get the Calm Down Strategies resource along with 6 other topics in the Emotional Regulation Bundle to help you teach important emotional regulation topics with ease and confidence!
This bundle covers the following topics:
- Calm Down Strategies
- Handling separation anxiety
- Using words instead of crying
- Identifying feelings and emotions
- Practicing self-control
- Problem-solving strategies
- Alternatives to running away
Check Out the Rest of the Emotional Regulation Series!
If you haven’t already, read part 1 of the Emotional Regulation Series: 7 Favorite Calming and Sensory Tools!
Then, be on the lookout for the remainder of the series over the next few weeks. You’ll learn all about:
- Relaxation strategies
- Breathing exercises
- Mindfulness techniques
- Creating a calm down corner
Teaching emotional regulation to your students is truly a gift that keeps on giving! It empowers them to recognize and take control of their own feelings, build strong relationships with their peers, and give more focused attention to important academic topics. With these easy-to-teach calm down strategies for kids, you’ll be well on your way to creating a calm, productive classroom where all of your students don’t just survive but THRIVE!
Now, practice your own calm down strategy— take a nice, long, deep breath— because you CAN do this!
Let me know if you have any questions about anything you see here. Don’t forget to pin this post to refer to it later!
Other posts you may enjoy:
The Importance of Using Emotional Regulation Strategies in the Classroom
How Social Skills Stories Build the Positive Classroom Climate You Are Craving
11 ENGAGING Ways to Teach Social-Emotional Learning in the Classroom
GUIDE STUDENTS IN DEVELOPING A GROWTH MINDSET WITH THESE
Free Growth Mindset Punch Cards
The perfect way to start meaningful habits and conversations with your students!
Diane Romo
Thank you for being here! I love sharing ideas with other teachers! If you are looking to enhance your teaching and build a positive classroom community, you have come to the right place!
