The “Colouring My Way to Calm” activity book by IWK Health Centre is an engaging tool for children to explore and express their emotions. Through a combination of colouring pages, mindfulness exercises, and guided activities, the book encourages children to understand how emotions affect their bodies and minds and learn techniques for self-calming and relaxation.
Key Features:
Meet Dorado the Therapy Dog:
- The book introduces Dorado, a therapy dog who guides children through the activities, helping them feel safe as they explore emotions. Dorado symbolises comfort and calm, creating a friendly and relatable experience for young readers.
Understanding Emotions:
- The activity book explains emotions as natural responses that help us react to situations around us. Children learn that emotions like scared, angry, happy, and sad come with specific needs, like the need for safety or comfort. This section encourages children to identify these needs and connect them with their feelings.
Mindful Breathing and Body Awareness:
- Exercises like Belly Breathing, Five Finger Star Breathing, and Happy Place Visualisation guide children through calming techniques. These activities encourage children to focus on their breath, relax their bodies, and imagine peaceful scenarios to reduce stress.
Emergency Mode Awareness:
- The book discusses “Emergency Mode,” explaining how the brain and body react to fear or anger by preparing to “fight, flee, or freeze.” Children learn to identify these physical responses and practise switching back to “Safe Mode” through calming strategies, helping them regain control in overwhelming moments.
Self-Expression Through Colouring:
- Colouring pages accompany each exercise, allowing children to express feelings creatively. Colouring serves as a calming activity itself, helping children focus and process emotions through art.
Physical Activities for Relaxation:
- Activities like Shake, SHAKE, SHAKE! and Horse Lips are included to help children release energy physically, which can be especially beneficial after strong emotional experiences.
Emotions Word Search:
- A word search puzzle with emotional vocabulary (e.g., joyful, frustrated, peaceful) reinforces learning about different emotions, making the experience fun and educational.
The “Colouring My Way to Calm” activity book is a helpful resource for parents, teachers, and counsellors to support children in developing emotional awareness, self-regulation, and resilience. Through simple, hands-on activities and soothing visuals, children learn practical strategies for managing their emotions and finding calm in challenging situations.
