
In the toddler and preschool years, temper tantrums are typical. They can come on without warning and catch you at your most vulnerable moments. The best thing to do is to take a deep breath and not react right away. Your second move is really on you. Understanding why your child is upset is very important. But sometimes, it cannot be articulated by your two year-old. Sometimes, it’s just exhaustion or pain, or, in times like these, anxiety trapped in tears.

Leading your child through a few meditation exercises can be a great way to calm them down. Obviously, we aren’t talking about the same type of exercises that you might try on yourself. YOU are aware of how you are feeling and have the desire to calm down. Your child doesn’t.
At Redeemer CDC, we have a few tools in our belt to help children calm themselves. The calm down sensory bottle is a great one. If your child is having a tantrum, ask if they would like to shake the bottle. It’s full of glitter. They can watch the glitter go crazy in the bottle and then settle to the bottom. While watching it settle they can begin to regulate their breathing and begin to calm down. It’s truly got a hypnotic and relaxing effect on children.
Here is what you will need to make the jar:
Plastic jar or water bottle
Warm water
Glitter glue
Food coloring
Glitter

Directions:
- Fill 1/3 of your jar with warm water
- Add glitter glue and stir until combined with water (the more glue, the slower the glitter will fall to the bottom)
- Add three drops of food coloring and stir
- Add as much glitter as you want
- Top your jar off with warm water
- If you can, seal your jar with a hot glue gun so your child can’t open it.
We hope this tool is useful as you navigate your way through tantrums. They happen to the best of us! We just need to breath, remain calm and have a few tools in our pocket to get through the rough patch. Hang in there parents – you are doing great.
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