Feeling Calm Tools for Children
Everyone feels worried or stressed sometimes, even children.
This little guide, tools for children, has simple things you can do to help yourself feel calm, happy, and safe.
Worry Monsters - A Friendly Way to Handle Worries
Sometimes, worries can feel big and scary, like little monsters living in our minds. That’s where Worry Monsters come in! A Worry Monster is a friendly imaginary creature that helps children notice, share, and manage their worries instead of keeping them bottled up inside.
What Worry Monsters Do:
- Give worries a “place to live” so they don’t feel overwhelming.
- Help children name and talk about what’s bothering them.
- Make expressing feelings creative and fun through drawing, writing, or storytelling.
- Encourage children to notice when a worry feels smaller after sharing it.
How Children Can Use Worry Monsters:
- Draw or name their Worry Monster, this makes it feel friendly and safe.
- Tell the Worry Monster about their worries, either by talking, drawing, or writing.
- Think of ways the monster can “hold” or “shrink” the worry, such as deep breathing, drawing, or asking a parent for help.
- Check in at the end of the day: is the worry smaller? Did the monster help it feel lighter?
How Parents Can Help:
- Introduce the concept: Explain that everyone has worries, and Worry Monsters are friendly helpers, not scary creatures.
- Create a routine: Set aside a few minutes each day for your child to share worries with their monster.
- Encourage creativity: Provide paper, colours, or a journal where your child can draw or write for their monster.
- Listen and validate: Show curiosity and care about what the monster “hears.” Avoid dismissing the worry; instead, explore it gently with your child.
- Celebrate progress: Notice when worries feel smaller or when your child uses coping strategies successfully.
Using a Worry Monster can turn stress into something manageable, giving children a sense of control over their feelings. With a little imagination and support, worries can be expressed, understood, and even shrunk!
Calming Tools
Take 5 Breaths
Breathe in slowly through your nose and out through your mouth. Count to 5 each time.
Squeeze and Relax
Make fists with your hands, squeeze tight for 5 seconds, then let go. Do the same with your shoulders and feet.
Hug a Soft Toy
Holding something soft can help you feel safe and calm.
Draw or Colour
Use paper and pencils to draw what you’re feeling or something that makes you happy.
Happy Thoughts
- Think of 3 things you are grateful for today.
- Remember a time you felt really proud of yourself.
- Picture your favourite place – it could be the park, the beach, or your cosy bed.
When You Need Help
If worries feel too big, it’s always okay to ask for help.
Talk to a parent, teacher, or another grown-up you trust.
Remember, you don’t have to handle stress on your own.
Stress Help for Children
-
Books About Feelings
-
Emotion Colouring Books
-
Stress Relief Toys
-
Worry Monsters
