Children can choose a calming strategy more easily when the options are simple, visual and easy to remember. The A-Z of Calm Choices poster gives kids a friendly alphabet of coping skills, from breathing and counting to talking, movement, drawing and quiet time, making it useful for home, classrooms, counselling rooms and calm corners.
Calm choices, self-regulation and coping skills are organised here as an A to Z poster for children. Each letter gives one short prompt, such as ask for a hug, blow bubbles, count to ten slowly, draw how you feel and stretch like a star.
The poster mixes emotional expression, sensory grounding and physical movement, so children are not limited to one type of calming activity. Options include focusing on breathing, going outside for fresh air, holding something soft, imagining a happy place, jumping up and down, kicking a ball, listening to calm music, making a calm jar, naming five things you see and opening up to talk.
Practical self-soothing ideas continue through the alphabet, including pressing hands together, taking quiet time, reading a favourite book, squeezing a stress ball or toy, taking a break, using kind words, visualising something happy, writing worries down and letting them go, crossing out negative thoughts and trying yoga.
Parents and carers, primary teachers, SENCOs, ELSAs, play therapists and family support workers could use it as a printable calm down chart, wellbeing display or quick prompt during individual work. It may help children choose one manageable action before escalation, after conflict, during transitions, at bedtime or when they need support naming what would help them feel calmer.
