We keep these baskets filled with calming resources in their rooms for their rest time and also when we need resources to help calm and regulate their emotions.
Our calm down baskets are not used as a punishment but instead for quiet play during rest times and as a strategy to help self-regulate their emotions and big feelings.
When we introduced these baskets I sat with them and showed them some ways the items can be used to help them recognise how they are feeling. For example paying close attention to how the glitter falls through the calm down bottle to give them a moment to pause or looking through the emotions flashcards to see how they feel now and talking about how they somethimes feel then when their emotions are heightened and confusing.
Each day we have 30 mintues of rest/alone time where we are quiet in our own space.
I found by offering these baskets at rest time it has created an insentive for them to pause, reflect and relax. It has also meant that these are familiar items for them when emotions are heightened. Its been a handy resource to have in our home and one we reach for most days!
Resources for Calm Down Baskets
If you're wondering what to include, think of items that are repetitive in motions such as spinning, clicking or rolling. These can build children's concentration through their calming effect.
Playing with items such as these, that have different textues and sounds can help take their attention away from those big emotions.
Here's a list of some resources you can include to make your own and also how they can be used.
Calm Down Bottles are a great resource to include as children often find the glitter slowly falling through the water very calming. You can also include other items such as CollectA animals, rainbow rice, water marbles or turn it into an I spy bottle with miscellaneous items or letter beads to search for.
Also have a look at these sensory fidget tubes which come in a pack of four.
The Free Play Magnatab is a great calming activity. It is a board with ball bearings that lift with the magnetic stylus pen. With this children can draw patterns and shapes. It is also very satisfying to push the balls down with your finger.
Playsilks can be used to throw in the air and watch them softly fall down. My daughters also enjoy tying knots in them or laying them on their legs.
We stock a range of weighted, soft toys that are perfect for all children including our sensory and anxious friends. These can help with reducing anxiety by applying Deep Pressure Touch Stimulation, which is a firm tactile sensory input that provides a proprioceptive response to the body. They simulate firm hugs and compression and motivates the release of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. This helps children to regulate their emotions when going to sleep or when they are feeling emotionally overwhelmed.
The Mini Spinny is a great sensory tool which can be turned upside down and children will enjoy watching it spin to the bottom. The Grimm's spirelli is also a similar item but it is better suited to older children as the wire can bend.
Zoomi has six different panels that you move a small ball through a mazes on. It is a great regulation tool for older kids as it is distracting and challenging and helps them focus on moving the ball through the maze.
Feelings and Emotions Flashcards are great for talking about the emotions they may be feeling at the time. We like to pull out what they are currently feeling eg. frustrated or sad and talk about what we could do to change that and feel another such as happy or loved.
I also highly reccommend the range of My Learning Toolbox. The flashcards and posters compliment each other well for recognising emotions and zones of regulations.
Sandbags can be a useful tool for letting out frustrations. My girls like to throw these onto a pillow when feeling frustrated or also line them up or balance them ontop of things.
Dimpl poppers are a great fidget toy which can help children calm by offering them something to focus on. By popping them it gives children something to focus on. There are many different kinds that incorporate colours, shapes and textures.
We also have a range of fidget toys. These all do different things including, popping, clicking or spinning.
These finger tracing cards cards can be used as a tool to help children to calm down, develop self-awareness, and practice mindfulness. Through regular use, these cards can help young people to become better at slowing down and managing their big feelings.
Another great tool to help children learn mindful breathing is the breathing ball. With this expandable ball, also known as the Hoperman Sphere, you can easily teach kids to follow their breath (one of the key techniques of mindfulness practice).
Remember that sometimes items that work for one child may not work for another and I do keep slightly different resources in the baskets for both of my children for this reason. As you utilize the basket you can keep or change resources as you notice how your child responds to them.
Visual Timers
Sand timers are very relaxing to watch as the sand falls through. If you're wanting to use them for a calm down activity timer I would reccommend a 3-5 mintue timer depending on the child.
Visual Timers (such as Time Timers) can help children to understand the concept of time, make a transition to another activity and independently complete an activty for a set amount of time.
You can also use them in your daily routines for timing things such as screen time, time until packing up or brushing their teeth.
For Larger Spaces
Marble Trees are another calming resource which has a beautiful sound when children place marbles or small balls down the tree.
Children will love the repetition and the sound it makes is very calming and equally mesmerizing!
If you have the room for some larger items I would reccommend looking at the Stapelstein Balance Board, Bilibo or Wobbel Board. These items are great for vestibular input and letting out energy which can also assist with emotional regulation.
Free Download | Calm Down Strategies
Download these images of some of our favourite calm down strategies and include in your space.
Book Reccommendations
We also stock a wide range of books on Mindfullness and Feelings & Emotions which you can view via the links above.
The Chameleon Reader can be a valuable resource for independent reading/quiet time as well. With it you can record your own books and I would reccommend choosing their favourite stories to include in a calm down space.
Super useful article, thank you so much!