5 Ways to Help Your Child Self-sooth

It can often be challenging to navigate dealing with young children. When children feel overwhelmed or frustrated, they tend to express an overload of external emotions. Although there is no cure-all for getting a child to calm down, these are just a few suggestions that work for us.

The best way to initially calm a child down is first to have them start with some deep breathing techniques. Often when children get upset, they fail to take deep breaths. They take short inhales and exhales, which makes their heart rate rise, creating more distress for the child. To help them breathe, ask the child to breathe in a bubble 1-2-3, then to fog up the wind 1-2-3. This initial inhale and exhale routine allows the child's heart rate to lower and often distracts them from what they were upset over.

Another technique for calming your child is to get them moving. It is a known fact that exercise is known to lower stress levels. It also helps clear the mind. Ask your child to do ten jumping jacks to get some of that nervous energy out of the body. If you see your child positively responding to excise, suggest running some laps.

Music is another good suggestion for lowering your child's anxiety. Music has been scientifically proven to reduce stress levels, and children often feel comforted when they hear their favorite song. Turn on the frozen soundtrack and get to dancing. This is an excellent distraction for the child and usually works.

Swaddling is another excellent technique for more than just small children. It is something you can try with toddlers too. When a child is swaddled, it helps the child feel safe and secure and not so overwhelmed and stimulated by their external environment.

A transitional activity from swaddling your child is to prompt them to take a take. Turn down the lights and see if you can get them to lie down. Often when children are upset, it almost always has something to do with a lack of sleep. Make sure you create a comfortable space for the child to lie down and encourage a nap.

These five different techniques are, by all means, not the cure-all for soothing your child. They can be an excellent start for helping your child take the first steps to relieve themselves. Self-soothing is an essential part of a child's development. Try some of these different ticks next time your child is in the midst of a meltdown.