Calming and Regulating
Regulation is a skill that develops with practice.
When feelings become intense, it may be difficult for your child to think through a long list of things they could do.
That is why useful strategies are best explored before the difficult moment happens.
The goal is not to make every feeling disappear.
It is to help your child gradually discover:
“What helps my body when things feel difficult?”
Start when things are calm
Do not wait until your child is already overwhelmed to introduce a new strategy.
Your resources are built around the same principle: regulation strategies work best when they are practised regularly, modelled by adults and encouraged calmly.
1. Offer a few options
Start with two or three strategies rather than a large menu.
2. Try them together
Practise when your child is comfortable enough to explore.
3. Notice what actually helps
One child may want movement.
Another may prefer quiet, music, a familiar object or being close to someone they trust.
There is no single calming strategy that suits every child.
Different bodies may need different things
Your Calming Strategies resources organise ideas into five useful groups.
Breathing
Deep breaths, blowing bubbles, balloon breathing or feather breathing.
Movement
Jumping, stretching, shaking it out or moving to a quiet space.
Sensory
A blanket, music, favourite toy, bean bag, stress ball or fidget.
Quiet activities
Reading, drawing, counting or watching something calming.
Help from another person
Asking for a hug, asking for a break, sitting near a parent or using an “I feel…” card.
The aim is not to use everything.
It is to discover a few options worth keeping.
Choose the support that fits
Calming Strategies Visual Pack
US$4.90
A visual menu of regulation ideas across breathing, movement, sensory support, quiet activities and help-seeking.
Includes both versions:
- simplified pages with 4 choices
- expanded pages with 6 choices
The simplified version reduces the number of options shown at once, while the expanded version provides a wider range of strategies.
Best for:
Families who want to explore different strategies and find out which ones their child responds to.
$4.90Add to cart
My Calm Plan
US$1.90
A simple one-page visual that connects:
When I feel… → I can… → I feel better when…
It includes example feelings such as angry, sad and excited; strategies such as breathing, counting slowly and resting; and visible signs such as calm hands, calm feet and calm body.
The resource also reminds families to practise the plan before big feelings happen.
Best for:
Children who have already explored some strategies and are ready for a smaller, familiar plan.
$1.90Add to cart
Calming & Regulation Bundle
US$5.90
Includes:
Calming Strategies Visual Pack + My Calm Plan
Explore different possibilities first, then use the Calm Plan to focus on the strategies you want your child to become familiar with.
Best for:
Families who want both the strategy bank and a simple plan for putting it into practice.
$5.90Add to cart
Support can look different in the moment
When your child is already very overwhelmed, asking them to select from six strategies may be too much.
At that point, support may look more like:
fewer words, space, safety, familiar support and time.
Save teaching and practising new strategies for a calmer moment.
A regulation tool should reduce demands—not become another demand.
Explore More Everyday Support
Everyday challenges often overlap. A difficult routine may involve communication, emotions or understanding what comes next.
Explore another area where your child might benefit from support.
Daily Routines
Make everyday activities clearer and more manageable with visual supports for mornings, getting dressed, brushing teeth, mealtimes and more.
Communication & Understanding
Help your child understand information, make choices and communicate their needs through clearer instructions and accessible visual supports.
Emotions & Regulation
Support your child in recognising feelings, navigating big emotions, waiting, taking turns and discovering what helps them regulate.
Find what works, then make it familiar
You do not need a huge collection of strategies.
Find a few that seem helpful.
Practise them.
Keep them easy to access.
Adjust when your child’s needs change.