Calming Strategies for Children

The following may help calm a young child :

1. Motion: Rocking, walking, dancing or using swings can help a child to breathe
more regularly.

2. Music: Calm, quiet music, either sung or using a tape or CD can help soothe
a child.

3. Change positions: The way a child holds or carrie their person can help calm
a very young child.

4. Deep breathing: Pursed lip breathing

5. Relax from head to toe: Creative visualization technique

6. Mental Vacation: Creative visualization technique

7. Deep pressure: The child can be calmed by deep pressure on their body or
by squeezing a stuffed animal or having a weighted object (vest, blanket, or
toy) on their body.