While summer sun is usually synonymous with fun, the season can sometimes be difficult and stressful for children. A change in routine, a change in environment and even rising temperatures can sometimes be overwhelming. There are several strategies and techniques that can be beneficial for calming children dealing with distractions, overstimulation and peer pressure. These techniques have been implemented by our staff this summer as part of our summer camp program. The following are some calming strategies and their benefits.

Yoga and Meditation

Yoga can be taught in a number of different ways; through games, following poses from age appropriate yoga instruction books, or singing songs with large and expressive movements. By creating poses and being challenged to balance children develop body awareness and learn about muscles and other aspects of anatomy.

Yoga by nature is meditative and is therefore calming and soothing which helps children to manage stress through breathing, awareness and healthy movement. It also helps to build concentration, and increase confidence and positive self-image. It is a healthy, non-competitive physical activity that breaks children away from electronic devices.

Breathing Exercises

During times of stress or anxiety, pausing and counting out deep breaths is a great calming exercise. For younger children emulate the act of blowing out birthday candles imagining that each of the five fingers on their hand is a candle to blow out slowly one by one or pretend to blow up a balloon. These two exercises allow children to take deep breaths and exhale slowly which when repeated several times will have a calming effect.

Physical Activities

Activities that tense and relax the muscles can bring a sense of calm that can be instantly felt while relieving tension and stress. Yoga poses as previously mentioned are great along with stretching exercises and the use of props such as a squeeze ball. Outdoor play such as running and kicking a ball is also quite helpful.

Sensory Play

Enlist the other senses when it comes to calming children down; sensory play has a calming effect by allowing children to focus on one sense at a time. Items such as play dough, sand and water are always readily available but some other ideas included: a feeling box with a variety of different materials for children to touch and feel; a listening centre that utilizes calming music or soothing instruments such as a rain stick; and a visual centre which is a dimly lit area with either glow-in-the dark elements or toys that light up.

Creative Thinking and Writing

Creative thinking through sharing personal stories, the use of storybooks and role playing exercises can help children to better understand stressful situations. Having children write a letter or story or draw a picture is also useful as is just talking about problems or concerns (this of course should be done in a warm and supportive environment conducive to listening).

Employing these techniques will not only create a calmer classroom or home environment by calming difficult behaviours but they will also help to build trust and connections and empower children to calm themselves.