Calm Down Kit

Calm Down Kit

Setting: classroom or at home

Materials:

Bubbles

Pencil Case

Notepad

Play-doh

Bouncy ball

Counting Straws

Crayons

Stress ball

Music Player

Pictures the child enjoys

Instructions:

 Take a pencil case and fill the case with the objects listed above. (Give or take a few objects; goes by the individual’s preference).

 Once the individual is having a meltdown give them the calm down kit!

 VOILLA! Instant better mood! :)

Purpose: To help with emotional management by giving the individual coping skill options. Acknowledging themselves and their emotions along with their needs also allows for better social interaction with other people. Bubbles stimulate oral motor use and ability to breathe deeply or counting straws can help with sequencing. Notepad is available to stimulate the use of emotional expression in writing or drawing how they are feeling at the time. Some individuals need grasp of objects or constant manipulation, which is why they are given the play-doh, or stress balls, which effectively can improve hand muscles and fine motor skills needed in writing or ADLS that are needed in dressing oneself.  

 Social Work Practices at the UT Elementary School. (December 15, 2010). Relaxation on the Go. [Blog post]. Retrieved from: http://blogs.utexas.edu/utes_socialwork/2010/12/15/82/