Calming Strategies

• Deep & Light Pressure Touch

  Both deep and light pressure touch can be alerting and regulating. It can be slow and firm, or light and tickly. Sudden changes in touch can be alerting for your child.

  It is important that these activities are introduced with an element of choice and not forced onto your child. Start with activities they would like the most.

  It’s also important to monitor your child's arousal level and adjust the input if they are becoming too overstimulated.

  • Massage. Especially on the back and feet that finishes with light tickly movements. Show your child how to give themselves a massage if they are able to
  • Rough and tumble play
  • Holding stress balls, hand toys, playdough and certain rough and prickly textured objects
  • Pressing hands or feet together, or pushing with hands against the wall
  • Activities in bare feet, such as walking on sand, grass or other textured surfaces
  • Popping bubble wrap with their thumb and fingers.

• Heavy Work For Muscles

  You could try adding lifting, carrying and pushing activities into your child's daily routine. This could include:

  • Watering the plants or gardening
  • Lifting books and toys back onto the shelves
  • Taking bags of rubbish to the dustbin
  • Holding onto bars on a climbing frame
  • Jumping up and down on a trampoline
  • Wheelbarrow walks
  • Pushing the wall down or push ups
  • Sweeping the floor or cleaning the tables.

• Slow Rhythmical Movement

  You could try:

  • A swing, hammock or rocking chair
  • Sitting on a therapy ball and bouncing up and down or lying over the ball and rocking back and forwards
  • Row row row your boat song with movements
  • Slow deep breathing
  • Swinging on a climbing frame
  • Slowly and gently petting an animal.

• Oral Motor

  If you notice your child seeks oral sensation you could try:

  • The use of chewys, chewing gum or crunchy food. This can help with calming as it provides a lot of input into the jaw joints.
  • Blowing bubbles
  • Drinking through straws and sports caps.

• Sound

  Sound can take a bit of trial and error to see which sounds are the most calming for your child.

  Generally, classical music is good, especially Mozart, and there are now a wide range of relaxation and meditation options on platforms like YouTube, which may also be worth trying.

  Try using large heavy headphones that cover the ear, as these will give more deep pressure for your child.

• Other Calming Activities

  Sensory calming activities provide sensory input and help to meet your child's sensory processing needs. They can help them to become calm, self-regulated and less fidgety. These sensory calming activities can also reduce your child's stress and anxiety.

  Children and young people with sensory processing difficulties benefit from sensory calming activities when they are feeling restless, angry or frustrated. They may also be helpful to prevent meltdowns. You can try providing a choice of activities, your child may even be able to select the activity that they need in order to self-regulate.

  Below are some activities and movements that can help with calming:

  • Finding a safe quiet space for rest and recovery
  • Exploring a box of sensory toys, such as, soft fabrics, tangle toys, vibrating toys
  • Listening to music that is organising for your child
  • Drinking through a straw or blowing bubbles
  • Your child giving themselves a tight hug
  • Movement back and forth, such as a swing or balance board.