calm

When children are calm they are more able to engage their “thinking” brain – and through this, take in new learning, reflect on situations, and think rationally when challenging situations arise. 

Many children, particularly those with backgrounds of trauma or neurodivergent children (autism, ADHD) may be operating using the reactive (mammalian) part of their brain – where their fight, flight, freeze responses are readily triggered. Children operating at this level are not in a state of calm and may have little experience of it. 

Often with young children we need to begin to calm the mind by helping calm the body. 

We can teach children specific strategies for trying to become (or remain) calm – such as slow breathing, rhythmic activities, cuddling and stroking a soft toy etc. 

Talking about being calm, modelling calm thinking and responses are also important. 

How to explain CALM to children

“Being calm is when your body and your mind feel relaxed. Your breathing is slow and usually, when you are calm, you can’t feel your heartbeat at all because it is beating in a gentle and slow way.. It is a nice, relaxed feeling. 

Being noisy and moving fast are not things we do when we are calm. 

Being angry, sad, scared, giggly or excited are not calm feelings.” 

Time to imagine

Here, Coco is feeling calm. Try and imagine how Cocowould be  breathing… Would it be fast or slow? 

What might make Coco feel calm?  What might Coco think about? 

Relate it to the child

 Think of a time when you were NOT calm?  How did you feel?  Is there something that you can do to help you feel calm ? 

This week

Calm breathing is slow breathing. Try and do some Calm Breathing.  Breathe slowly in through your nose – and then  slowly out through your mouth. Don’t rush. Do it  three times!  This week, practise calm breathing every day. 

Calm Tommy is a calm turtle who loves calm breathing. Check him out here.  about .