Guide
Alerting and calming strategies
Activities for the mouth, movement, heavy work and the room around your child that help the body wake up or settle down. Free printable guide in English and Spanish.
Free from Oaklin Lane’s therapists. Nothing here is a diagnosis, and if something feels off, that’s enough to ask.
Everything your child sees, hears, tastes, touches and does with their body can either wake the body up or help it calm down. When your child's body is "just right," it is easier to play, learn, eat and get dressed.
Every child is different: Something that calms one child can wind another child up. Try one idea at a time for a few days and watch what helps. Keep the ones that work and let the rest go. Your therapist can help you choose.
Mouth
To wake the body up
- Sour tastes, like a lemon wedge or tart fruit
- Cold foods and drinks, like ice water or frozen fruit
- Crunchy snacks, like pretzels, popcorn or apple slices
- A little spice, if your child likes it
- A chew tube or chewy necklace
To calm the body down
- Thick drinks through a straw, like a smoothie, yogurt drink or applesauce
- Chewy foods, like dried fruit or a bagel
- Blowing bubbles
- Blowing a cotton ball across the table with a straw
Movement
To wake the body up
- Hopping and jumping jacks
- Fast spinning on a swing or spinning toy
- Somersaults
- Climbing on the playground
- Action songs like "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes"
To calm the body down
- Slow, steady swinging back and forth
- Rocking in a rocking chair or on your lap
- Child's pose or other slow stretches
- Slow walks outside
Fidgets and comfort items
To wake the body up
- Fidget toys to twist, pop or spin
- Textured toys with bumps or ridges
To calm the body down
- Squeeze balls and squishy toys
- A favorite stuffed animal or toy
- A weighted lap pad for awake, supervised rest
Heavy work for muscles and joints
To wake the body up
- Wheelbarrow walking
- Crawling races
- Monkey bars
- Bouncing on a therapy ball
To calm the body down
- Wall push-ups
- Carrying a laundry basket or books
- Pushing or pulling a wagon
- Bear walks
- A "sandwich" squish between couch cushions
- A firm hug or a snug blanket wrap
The space around your child
To wake the body up
- Bright lights
- Upbeat music
- Fresh smells, like citrus or mint
- A wiggle cushion or therapy ball to sit on
To calm the body down
- Dim or soft lights
- A quiet voice and less background noise
- Soft, slow music
- Less clutter in the room
- A small, cozy hideout
- Gentle smells, like lavender or vanilla
How to tell what your child needs
- Sleepy or slow: Slumping, yawning, staring, slow to start · Wake-up ideas
- Revved up: Running, crashing, loud, hard to settle · Calming ideas
- Just right: Ready to play, listen and learn · Keep going
Safety
- Stop spinning or swinging right away if your child looks pale, sweaty, dizzy or upset.
- Choose foods that are safe for your child's age and chewing skills, and stay close while they eat.
- Keep your child's head and face uncovered during squishes and blanket wraps.
- Do joint squeezes only if your therapist taught you how.
Questions families ask
How do I know if my child needs waking up or calming down?
Watch your child. Slumping, yawning and staring usually mean the body needs waking up. Running, crashing and trouble settling usually mean it needs calming. Ready to play and listen means keep going.
Will the same idea work for every child?
No, and that’s normal. Something that calms one child can wind another one up. Try one idea at a time for a few days and keep the ones that help.
