The focus of today’s podcast is all about Big Body Movement. I mention five of my favorite movement coping skills, including riding a scooter and roller skating. Listen to hear more ideas:

Movement is a powerful way for kids to play! Movement can calm kids, help them get rid of excess energy, or energize them. When children are starting to get antsy or irritable, often a change of scenery and a little movement can help.

Where do you go when you want to calm down? What’s the spot that you go to? For me, it’s my bedroom. It’s painted a calm color, I have my aromatherapy set up in there, and my favorite ways to de-stress are nearby.

A coping skills toolbox is an actual physical container that houses items kids can use to help calm down and express their emotions in healthy ways. There are a ton of strategies your child can use to calm down, and having a toolbox is one way to keep several of these tools readily available to use.

Have you ever had the experience of hearing a song, and it brings you right back to a a vivid memory? 

Music has the power to change people’s moods. It can take someone from feeling sad to feeling happy. It can energize you. It can move you to the point of tears.

Listening to what works for my clients is always enlightening. I’ve learned so much from what clients of all ages have shared what works for them. 

I first learned about this coping skill from a young client. I was teaching a small group about coping skills, and I was asking them what coping skills they’ve learned or used.

Deep breathing is so hokey, right? But there are lots of fun ways to encourage deep breathing, and using shapes is awesome. 

It gives some structure to breathing for kids, and easy to follow directions. It hopefully prevents that hyperventilation or holding their breath without breathing out that can happen if you just say “take a deep breath”

The connection between coping skills and play!

Episode 10 - An introduction to Progressive Muscle Relaxation!

Episode 9 - all about self-care in real life!