Helping children cope in a time of crisis is a win for everybody

One effective way to teach children to cope with ‘big’ emotions is to create a safe space for them where they can go to calm down when overwhelmed. (Stock images)

By Alexis Dill MS PLMFT, adill@stph.org

Children are more observant than we think, often picking up cues from the adults in their lives both in good times and in more challenging times. That’s why, during this time of national and global uncertainty, it’s important to help little ones in your household learn coping skills.

These skills help children learn how to develop healthy ways of dealing with “big” emotions, which is a tool they will be able to use well beyond their childhood years.

Here are some ways you can introduce coping skills into your child’s everyday life:

Make an emotional “safe place” within your house. Have a place in your household where children can calm down. Place pillows and blankets in this area. Have pictures of your family at their eye level and other objects that will help them to relax. When they are feeling overwhelmed, have them go to the safe place to calm down. This teaches them how to self-soothe and deal with their sadness and anger in an appropriate manner.

Coloring time. For adults and children alike, coloring can be considered a coping skill. Coloring can help relax your brain and can even induce the same state as meditating.

Read on. Reading is also a great coping skill, taking you out of the world you live in and transporting you into another one. Consequently, it can help slow your anxious mind and reduce stress levels.

Taking a breath. Teach children deep-breathing exercises, and model them when you find yourself upset or angry. Young children learn how to handle anger, sadness and frustration by watching their parents. Show them appropriate ways to deal with your own “big emotions” and they will follow suit.

Sensing opportunity. Sensory activities are optimal for a child’s development, refining motor skills and encourage cognitive thinking. It can also calm them when they are anxious. Play-Doh, homemade slime, soap foam, DIY stress balls and spaghetti noodles – to name a few – are great tools around which to build sensory activities in your household.

Here are instructions for a do-it-yourself stress ball to make with children, from NaturalBeachLiving.com:

Supplies
Balloons
½ cup flour (per balloon, approx.)
Empty water bottle, dry
Funnel

Directions

1. Put the funnel into the water bottle, then pour the flour through the funnel and into the bottle.
2. Stretch the balloon around the opening of the water bottle.
3. Turn the water bottle upside down and gently squeeze the flour into the balloon. (Make sure to use a bit of pressure, as the air helps the balloon open up so the flour can go in.)
4. After the flour is in the balloon, pinch the neck of the balloon and release it from the bottle.

5. Squeeze any air out of the balloon. (The balloon should fit snugly around the flour inside it.) Just make sure there isn’t any extra air the balloon.
6. Tie the balloon and wipe away any excess flour from the outside.
7. Squeeze away stress and have fun!

Note: If you find your child has poked a hole in your DIY stress ball or a little bit of flour is seeping out through the hole, cover it with another balloon and you are good to go!

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Below, find a list of upcoming Parenting Center classes for new parents and new siblings. For a full schedule of events, visit STPH.org/ParentingCenter.

• On Saturday, July 18, from 9 a.m. to noon, the Parenting Center will host a Boot Camp for New Dads. The class is open to the public and costs $15. It will be facilitated by veteran fathers and will teach rookie dads the realities of fatherhood. Topics include caring for Mom and baby. For details visit STPH.org/ParentingCenter, email adill@stph.org or call 985-898-4435.
• On Saturday July 18, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., the Parenting Center will host Baby Chat for Siblings. Cost is $10 per family. Open to the public, it will be facilitated by Juli Chastaine CCLS MS and will teach big brother and/or big sister everything they need to know about becoming a big sibling. Topics include proper handling of newborns and coping skills. For details visit STPH.org/ParentingCenter, email adill@stph.org or call 985-898-4435.