Calm Down Box

Here's something that I think every classroom should have: a calm down box. Just a container full of various fidgets and tools that kids can use to take a moment for themselves and re group for whatever reason. I have started to pick up small fidgets and items here and there to add to my own calm down box...when I have students who are agitated, not focused or if just need to settle themselves, I allow them to look through and handle items and I set a timer so they know how long they have to explore.

Calm Down Box:
A calm box can consist of various sensory based items, visual input and tactile input toys and gadgets- offer it when you want to reduce self stim behaviors, for calming or to revert attention to something else. Change up the things that are in the box on occasion so that students can explore new items and so they seem more novel.

To encourage or work on choice making: take a pic of the items in the box (or print a pic from online images) and use the pics to offer a choice of 2 or 3 to pick out of the box

Some visual favorites include:
floating polka dots gel timer
liquid motion gel timer
surfing penguin aquarium
water wheel gel timer
bubbling turtle gel timer
surfing fish aquarium
tranquil bubbling aquarium
glitter wands
spinners/tops
(can find any of these for reasonable prices at https://www.therapyshoppe.com/category/8-fidgets-fidget-toys-fidgets-for-feet-quiet-stress-alerting-focus-calming-toys

Tactile input ideas-
sensory gel pads
tangle
klicks
gel bead fidget squares
whatza animal fidget toy
gel waves tactile pads
small plastic animals (toob of penguins, dogs, arctic animals, etc.)
theraputty, play dough, slime, gak
kinetic sand, small sand toys

Also-
A small weighted lap pad
noise cancelling headphones or ear plugs
chew tubes (include if the box is specific for an individual's personal use)

Calm Down Activities

I have been making several calm down books/activities for kids this year, as there has become an increasing need for them. Not just for kids who are anxious or nervous, but also for kids who have behavioral outbursts- this can even include screaming, throwing items, tipping chairs and tables... Kids are not only at risk of hurting themselves, but in some cases they are hurting staff and other students. This is not uncommon anymore in the public school system in the United States, and it's happening all over the US:

https://www.khou.com/article/news/investigations/classrooms-in-crisis/classrooms-in-crisis-teachers-retiring-resigning-over-disruptive-learning/283-a3932f75-5983-4fcf-89ea-00cbce8ef34e?fbclid=IwAR0Iia2ZdbSTRjYBPYhtsBY2z6pQSy7SAi_CW8WcXB2Ejacnwa4o7muz3uQ

https://www.ksl.com/article/46481666/violent-behavior-in-elementary-students-becoming-more-prevalent?fbclid=IwAR1Ry7x-Zr7ul-KnpZEl7IxQpwM18MX9AB2demd5WwAEtq0MCkHnfmMnyXk

And right here in my home state of ND...
https://www.inforum.com/news/education/1013355-7-in-10-Fargo-teachers-say-they-are-fearful-in-their-classrooms

From an OT standpoint, we can use sensory based activities and strategies in an effort to influence the brain to calm- remember that input from your senses gives information to your brain stem (the oldest part of the brain)...the brain stem then tells your central nervous system how to respond.
So as a school OT who provides tools and strategies to influence the brain and behavior, I have found some resources to add to my repertoire of calming interventions from one of my favorite sellers on the Teachers Pay Teachers website, Pocket Full of Preschool:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Calm-Down-Techniques-Books-Posters-and-Supports-2734315

I laminated the book pages and put them in a binder. 

Calm down activities on a binder ring~

Deep breath visuals

This purchase package has directions for a few ways to put the visuals together. I love the quality of the graphics/font, and the kids/teachers have really appreciated the activity choice cards that the kids can use to make choices of what they want to try to calm themselves.

Pocket Full of Preschool also has a website: https://pocketofpreschool.com/