How to teach Children Calmness

In the hustle-bustle of everyday life. Let's think back to when your child was a baby. And your baby became upset, did we shout back or hit him or her, the answer was “NO” or did you pick up your baby, or change the environment while rhythmically, lowering your voice into a calming and soothing tone? Then what happened?

Your baby would usually become relaxed and calm right? Your ability to regulate yourself in that moment made your child able to do the same.

Now your child is grown up, but your ability to help him regulate is still there! “Parents often try to rescue kids from their feelings rather than validate those feelings,” Let children know they don’t have to hide or suppress it when they feel crummy, anxious and that being aware of all emotions is a form of mindfulness. Recognize. Pause. Realize

Let’s go to instant action

1. Bunny Breathing

Take three quick sniffs in through your nose and then exhale one long breath, just like a bunny!

2. Breathing as Fun

Take a normal breath inhale from the nose and exhale from the mouth. Repeat 5 times

3. Timed Breath

Have your teen gently place a hand on the middle of her chest and take a deep breath in for 3 seconds, hold for 2 and exhale for 3. Repeat this 3 times.

When your child feels comfortable, invite her to close her eyes and imagine a happy place (beach, forest, grandma’s house, their bedroom, birthday party, pool) and have her imagine what it feels like to be at this place while he / she’s breathing.

Make your child practice regularly you will observe many emotions regulating and lots of benefits to … decrease anger, develop empathy, increase attention span, and increase self-reflection and many more.