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Have you ever tried to calm a child while they were having a “melt-down”? Do you find yourself using language such as “calm down, take a deep breath” or “you need to stop”?

We know these strategies are typically ineffective—even when they appear to work the result may be primarily coincidental.

The best strategy for addressing the difficult reactions children sometimes present is to not address the reactions at all! That’s right...it is not about the reactions. Our focus needs to be on the response. When the body is quiet, and the child is attentive, that is when we work on their ability to respond to their environment and those around them. In other words, our techniques must be “proactive not reactive!"

That's because it all goes back to our nervous system and our senses. The most effective strategies for helping children self-regulate are simple techniques to improve focus and help manage emotions and senses.

In my new book, Self-Regulation and Mindfulness: Over 82 Exercises & Worksheets for Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, & Autism Spectrum Disorder, I show you how to use a systematic approach to addressing the basic needs of children by tapping into their nervous system and enhancing their executive functioning. The book provides a simplistic review of the nervous system, activities, and exercises to meet the needs of the various systems.

Included, are short Self-Regulation And Mindfulness (SAM) stories that help us easily teach school aged children (and even adults!) about self-regulation and mindfulness principles. Here is an example from the book:

Max the Kangaroo

Max lived in a beautiful big open land. Every day, he played and explored. He loved jumping and bouncing all around. However, one day Max’s mother told him he had to go to school. Max was scared. What was school? Even though his mother tried to tell him about it, he was still nervous and afraid. Finally, the day came for Max’s first day at school. “Lots of rooms, desks, chairs, things, and people all around … I don’t know about this!” thought Max.

He met his teacher who showed him his room and where to sit. Max sat at his desk. The chair felt weird, and the lights seemed strange. Max was used to playing in his open field in the beautiful bright sunlight. This all was odd to him, and he felt a little yucky. “Maybe if I stand, I will feel better,” thought Max, so he stood up. But, his teacher quickly said, “Max, please have a seat!” Max sat down, but he still felt yucky. Max decided to lay his head down on the desk and cover his eyes. Soon after, his teacher came over to his desk. “Max, you need to listen to me teach. This is what we do at school,” said his teacher.

Well, Max really felt confused and did not know what to do...

...Find out what happened to Max by downloading his full story.

Get all 82+ easy to implement exercises and worksheets for self-regulation & mindfulness when you order my new book today!