When you have little kids it can feel like pulling teeth to get them to settle down, so here are some links to videos that I use to calm my clients who are under 6, and I recommend them to their families to use at home as well!

Calming Techniques:

These two videos are really great and have some great tips for using deep pressure to calm the physical body, to use throughout the day or before bedtime and/or naptime. These techniques can also work well for children who have sensory processing issues or are autistic.

However, if a child is hyper or excited it is important that they have a good outlet for their energy and that they do something physical before you ask them to calm down or pay attention.

To do this I recommend these two videos:

This video is a fun one for kids who need to get their wiggles out, and you can put it on the TV or your phone when you’re on the go and the child can dance to it.

The second one is a great video for toddlers and up, they can practice getting their wiggles out and then can transition to calm.

Or if you would prefer not to use a screen, you can just have your child do jumping jacks, jog in place, or jump rope. Or better yet, pick the child up and spin around several times, this will satisfy both the need for physical touch and for exciting movement. Any sort of physical activity that has the child use most of their muscles, will also satisfy their need for stimulation. Then once you have done that, that’s when you can focus on the next step, calming the child.

CALMING MUSIC:

Calming Music can work wonder, especially if they are having a tantrum or are hyper, both of these videos can help regulate the nervous system and will help them feel calm and centered once again. Try playing the songs from this album and have them dance or drum along. 

This is a youtube channel for calming sensory music that the child can both watch and listen to, and are great for helping their little bodied relax. It’s also great for older kids as well!

You can also just play relaxing piano music, or Enya, George Winston, Yanni, Paul Speer, and Ray Lynch as long as the tempo is not too fast. Or just look up ocean waves on youtube and play that while having the child take deep cleansing breaths.

There is also a free app that you can have the child use to create their own mix of relaxing sounds, its called 

Relax Melodies app

Also, another way to engage little kids in a calming and not overstimulating screen activity is to use the calming glitter video. Kids can watch this video while in the car or while in waiting rooms etc. 

Some kids like this video, and some don’t, so if your child is not interested, and you think they’d prefer something more tactile, you can make your own glitter jar as a fun activity. The child can then take it with them when they go places and it can be very soothing for them to shake it and watch the glitter move. You don’t have to, but it is best to use the glitter jar for travel, or car rides only, so that the novel doesn’t wear off. Or some people give this to their child when the child needs a time out or a break, as a way to help them quietly self-soothe and regulate themselves.

Photo Credit to Mariam Antadze from Pexels