Self-soothing box

(All ages)

It can be taken out in times of need, or when your child might need a moment to calm down or relax.

You will need:

Find a suitable container, an old shoe box might work well. Choose some of your child's favourite things that help to calm down when they might be upset or need some comfort. Some examples might be:

• some soft fabric, cushions or blanket
• a range of sensory things that will help to focus their minds,

When you're considering which sensory items to add to your child's self-soothing box, try to include:

• something to touch (something soft, cuddly, with a comforting texture)
• something to look at (photos of special people/things/pets)
• something that the child likes to smell

What to do

Try to have a cosy, quiet space for your child to go to if they are feeling upset or angry explain to your child that this is a cosy space to relax in. Your child may not know when or what these feelings mean. Name your child's emotions and encourage them to use the box, perhaps by saying, “I can see you are sad, how about looking at your photos in your den?” or “Do you want a chill out in your den? You look like you are feeling upset."

Skills your child will learn

Babies and toddlers will need a lot of support from caregivers to help them to calm down and regulate their emotions. If you practice these skills with your child from a young age, they will begin to learn to recognise when they are feeling big emotions. In time, they will begin to regulate their emotional state by themselves. Your child will also learn that this is a safe place to relax and take some time to themselves.