Calm-down toolbox practice
4–5 yearsEmotional WellbeingNo materials needed
Create and practice calm-down strategies together during your activity time. Teach specific techniques like belly breathing, counting to ten, positive self-talk, or taking a break. Practice each strategy when your child is calm so they can use it when upset. Make it playful by pretending to be upset and showing how to use each tool. Let your child practice too.
Part of the Steadily developmental journey — personalized to your child.
How to Do This Activity
Create and practice calm-down strategies together during your activity time. Teach specific techniques like belly breathing, counting to ten, positive self-talk, or taking a break. Practice each strategy when your child is calm so they can use it when upset. Make it playful by pretending to be upset and showing how to use each tool. Let your child practice too.
Why It Works
Teaching regulation strategies explicitly during calm moments is crucial for emotional intelligence development. At this age, children can learn and apply emotion regulation strategies with coaching, but they need practice when calm to use them when upset. Early emotional coaching significantly improves children's emotional intelligence and leads to better emotional regulation skills in adulthood (Goleman, D., 1995). Research shows that emotional intelligence development in early childhood leads to better emotional recognition, expression, and regulation skills throughout life, with children showing improved concentration and stress management abilities.
Tips for Parents
Practice these strategies regularly, not just during meltdowns. This helps your child remember them when emotions run high.
Model using these strategies yourself. Say things like, I'm feeling frustrated, so I'm going to take three deep breaths.
Keep it simple at first. Master one or two strategies before adding more.
Materials Needed
None
Learning Methods
Metacognitive StrategiesCooperative LearningStructured Academic Learning
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