Ok...so, the post is talking about how she uses it in her classroom. I'm thinking this would be awesome just for at home.
Calming Caddy
What teacher hasn't come across that student who has a short fuse? No matter where you teach, you are always going to need to be ready for that child who needs some additional help calming down. I like to have a pro-active approach to dealing with situations such as these. One of my solutions is my CALMING CADDY.
This caddy is located somewhere quiet and secluded in the classroom. When a child gets upset and needs some time to step away from their peers and calm down this is what they use. The caddy is not used as punishment but as a healthy choice to deal with emotions.
The caddy is something that I present to the whole class as an option on how to deal with your feelings. I model how to use the caddy and make sure it is presented as a positive choice that all students in the class can make.
Things that are in my caddy include:
-play dough, stress balls, and squishy balls to squeeze out any anger
-small stuffed animals for comfort
-a calming glitter jar to relax
-small notepad and crayons to express feelings
-Boardmaker visual cue cards
One thing I love in this caddy is the calming glitter jar..I have seen similar ideas all over pinterest so I made my own! The idea is you shake it up and watch the glitter fall. This gives the child time to breathe and be away from the situation that upset them. When the glitter settles the child can join the class again or chose to use an additional strategy from the caddy.
To make this jar I used an old sunflower seed container. Many of the jars I have seen on pinterest were Mason jars...However I usually try to stay away from glass with my little ones.
Instructions:
-Clean out clear container
-Add 1 bottle of CLEAR Elmer's glue
-Add about ¾ c water
-Add about 5-6 drops of the food coloring of your choice
-Add glitter (I used silver, gold, pink, stars, and iridescent glitter)
-Hot glue the cap on and shake!
I make sure I teach the class how to use each item in the caddy appropriately to deal with their emotions. As teachers it is a great gift that we can help children learn it is ok to be mad, sad, frustrated, etc... but that learning to deal with these emotions in a healthy way is something they will take with them for years to come!
Posted by
on Aug. 2, 2012 at 7:16 AM
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by
on Aug. 2, 2012 at 7:17 AM
I am so doing this!
As many of you know, my wonderful Marie is only 8 and is going through precocious puberty. To sum it up, she has everything but a period. So far. But, her mood swings are outrageous. She can be sweet and loving now, and in 2 minutes, just fly off the handle on something you say to her.
I really want to make this. For both of my girls, but, I think Marie can benefit from it so well.
by
Amy
on Aug. 2, 2012 at 11:53 AM
Think I may have to make this for home and class if I start teaching
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May 15, 2013 is National Chocolate Chip Day
- Maries_Mom23
on Aug. 2, 2012 at 7:16 AM