CREATING A CALMING COMFORT BOX
I'm sure your kiddos have BIG FEELINGS, like every child! Come along on this journey with me, as we navigate BIG FEELS and how we can help our little people understand and cope through the discomfort and overwhelming emotions that childhood brings.ย
โ
A few years ago, I put together a "comfort box" for each of my kiddos. It is ever-changing, as they grow and their needs change, but one constant remains-- there are always tools inside to help them when they are feeling like they need support.ย
โ
The items listed here were and are KEY in helping them push through tough moments, regulate feelings, and process challenges that arise. Prior to giving them the boxes, we practiced using all of the items as tools and we role-played scenarios where they might feel like they'd benefit from going to their "safe space" to use their comfort boxes and reset their bodies. A "safe space" was determined for each of the kids as well; a space that is quiet, comforting, and non-restrictive (bedrooms/beds/tents/closets make great "safe spaces").ย A universal "safe space" for all of my kids is within our playroom. I have a shelf dedicated to calming comfort items and they know they can pull down the tray of tools as needed and when needed.
โ
So here we have a list and descriptions of all of the items currentlyย within the boxes or "safe spaces" and it is bound to change and grow over time.
CALMING COMFORT BOX ITEMS
This is the perfect way for kiddos to squeeze out some extra big energy to avoid it becoming โangry energyโ.
These are awesome, especially for older kiddos looking for a fidget or distraction while โcooling downโ.
I knew we needed something water-calming in our comfort boxes. These water tubes are great diversions and are almost mesmerizing! Super helpful and effective!ย
These pop tube robots are such a great way for frustrated or overstimulated kiddos to get out extra energy. The arms and legs stretch out and there are suction cups on the ends for them to stick to windows or mirrors!
Sometimes kiddos need some oral input to help calm their bodies and what better to chew on than this fun chew tube?! There is a HUGE variety of chew tools used today by kids. This is just one of many and happens to be our favorite!
What are your childโs favorite things? What makes them smile? What are funny memories for them? Whose familiar faces bring them comfort?ย Get to work printing out magical photos and stick them in a mini album! Some of our favorite photos include snow forts with brothers, eating gooey donuts, cozying with lovies, dressing up super heroes, etc.ย
These really help kiddos to visually be able to control their breathing and be mindful. These boards are amazing and in fact, most of the products that hand2mind makes are one of a kind for helping to navigate big feelings.
These are the best homemade, customized items you can put in your child's comfort box! Using a few blank playing cards, give your child some empowering words of wisdom they can turn to if they're doubting themselves or feeling anxious. Sometimes they just need reminders what they're AWESOME and need to remember that we are in their corner!
These expression cubes are lots of fun and also help to calm and reset. Each child is so very differentโ some need snuggly things to feel comfort, some need puzzles or a thinking game as a diversion, etc. This is a fun way for kiddos to possibly show how they are feeling and also mix and match pieces to focus on creativity as a means to settle down before revisiting the issue. Check it out!ย
Fidgets! All the fidgets! We have a big variety of fidget toys. Some are geared more toward older kiddos and some for my younger people. I find that the magnetic balls are super calming for my big kids and my little people love the magnetic men! These are great ways for kids to โresetโ their bodiesโ letting the feelings pass and regulating their emotions before coming back to reconnect and discuss big feelings. Give them a try!ย
Each of my kiddos have special things in their comfort boxes and โsafe spacesโ individualized for them โ a small trampoline in oneโs room to jump it out, a floor puzzle for another as a calming tool, a lavender lovey in anotherโs as the scent calms him, and lastly a series of alphabet matching toys to distract and redirect! Not one comfort box and safe space is the same as the next. If you have the space, bigger floor puzzles are great and do not take too much time!
Think "Mr. Potato Head", but with mixed emotions! My kids LOVE using the pineapple to check in with how they're feeling and then display it! This also comes with a mirror, so they can check their faces and body language and display it accordingly! We keep pineapple in our family calming comfort box and playroom safe space.
What's more fun than peg people? These little people are so helpful when my littlest kiddos are having a hard time understanding how they're feeling. We also keep our peg people on our family comfort box and safe space for quick access to pretend play or replaying scenarios!
More to come on literacy resources to accompany these tools... STAY TUNED!!
Comments