Self Regulation Tools

I am trying to schedule a weekly post each Thursday on Self Regulation Tools that you may find beneficial to try out with students who are struggling with anxiety, hyper activity, distraction, or feeling overwhelmed or anxious. Here are a few tools for this week....

 

Fitness Dice

These are great for movement breaks and can be used in the hallway, open area of the classroom or outside.



Find It

A great way to focus your mind or help a child who is feeling emotional or overwhelmed.




Zentangle

Meditation Drawings that help focus and calm individuals




Glitter jars

Easy made glitter jars are great for calming individuals who may be overwhelmed, emotional or struggling to manage their hyperactivity. It is great for meditation and can also be used for a timer (waiting for all the glitter to stop moving)

Self Regulation Sensory Tools

Self Regulation Tools have been popular for a long time but more and more "zen dens" and "sensory spaces" have become common in schools and classrooms. Last Thursday I started a weekly post on self regulation tools to share.

Here are a few cool tools....


SENSORY ITEMS:

Weighted stuffed animals - https://beezeeart.com/blogs/beezeeartblog/all-about-weighted-stuffed-animals  (includes sewing instructions to make your own)

Weighted lap pads - https://www.sensacalm.com/blogs/news/weighted-lap-pads-for-back-to-school

Here is something you can make at home: Kinestic sand recipe - https://www.thoughtco.com/kinetic-sand-recipe-604167



ROUTINES:

As far as body breaks and movement - here is a resource with daily activities:

Daily activtiies - https://www.thebodycoach.com/blog/pe-with-joe-1254.html 

LIGHTING:

Lighting - https://susanfitzell.com/improve-learning-with-research-based-classroom-lighting-strategies/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281146405_The_Impact_of_Indoor_Lighting_on_Students'_Learning_Performance_in_Learning_Environments_A_knowledge_internalization_perspective

JOURNALS

Self Regulation Tools

Self-regulation is a critical skill for people of all ages. It is the ability that helps us to control our behaviors to make good decisions for the long-term, rather than just doing what we want in the moment. It’s also the skill that allows us to manage our emotions when we’re feeling angry, disappointed, or worried. These can be difficult for adults, but are significantly more challenging for children and young adults, whose brains are still growing and developing.

Over the next few Thursdays, I will share some self regulation tools and activities that you may enjoy trying out. Some tools can be expensive, so talk to your principal about budget. Others you can find or make on your own (yay!) 




Foot Rollers

Purpose: *Great for active sitting *Helps to relieve excess energy, stress, and anxiety
How it is used: *placed on floor under a chair so the child can put their feet on it
Where and when: *anytime the children are sitting on a chair and need to be moving


Fidget Tools

Purpose: *Great for hand movement *Helps relieve energy and keep focus *Helps release stress, anxiety *minimize hyperactive movements
How it is used: *hold, fiddle, move and play
Where and when" *Anytime children are fidgety or need something to calm them




Chair Bouncy Bands

Purpose: *Great for active sitting *Helps to relieve excess energy, stress, and anxiety
How it is used: *placed on a chair so the child can put their feet on it
Where and when: *anytime the children are sitting on a chair and need to be moving



Tangles

Purpose: *fidget tool *focus and relaxation *tactile
How it is used: *children twist these to make new shapes *can be used with one hand or two
Where and when: *classroom at any time as needed by the child

Here are some more resources: https://harkla.co/blogs/special-needs/sensory-tools-school

Next week I will share some more on deep pressure sensory tools that can benefit some kids.