Calm and happy
Please also visit our wellbeing page for resources to support all learners.
Mindfulness means becoming more aware of our inner self through the act of paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, in a non-judgemental way. Mindfulness activities can have a big impact on crucial life skills for our child including decision making, self-control and emotional regulation.
This website from “Parents with Confidence” gives some information about mindfulness with some suggested activities.
This article explores the types of play that helps kids with emotions and coping and contribute to a child’s emotional health.
Try to provide opportunities for different types of play.
EYFS, Primary
These outer space themed sensory bottles are perfect for kids who love planets, galaxies, and all things space related.
These could be the perfect calming strategy to add to a calm down kit.
All
Sensory activities help encourage children to use all their senses while they, create, investigate and explore. They allow children to repeatedly process a range of sensory stimuli which in turn helps their brain to create stronger connections to process and respond to sensory information. This A-Z has lots of ideas to choose from.
Secondary, Post 16
Spend time looking at the night sky and getting to know the cosmos – bring the wonders of the universe right down to your hands.
Explore apps such as Skyview Free, NASA, Star Rover and Cosmic Watch.
Be Active Kids have provided a bubble recipe, instructions to make bubble wands and 25 fun activities to do.
HuffPost have published 37 technigues to calm an anxious child which has ideas for primary and secondary.
All
Choice board Do your children get bored easily? Do they need help to think of ideas in their play? If so create a visual choice board for them with different options to play. For example a certain board game, imaginary game, craft activity etc. Sometimes children become ‘ bored’ because they have reduced praxis (planning and sequencing) skills. Make sure you don’t provide too much choice at one time. This idea is from Blossum Children’s Occupational Therapy.
Primary
Elsa support display poster to help to talk to children about different coping strategies they can use to help themselves feel ok and cope with a situation. Visit the website to download the poster.
Primary
Sit quietly, draw, colour and decorate a stargazing or space picture. Pictures can be uploaded to the CBeebies website.
Also join in with ‘Mission Explore’ to see what others have discovered about the night sky.
Primary, Secondary
This guide lists activities and toys that parents of children with autism have found useful. It is intended as a starting point to give you some ideas for playing and interacting with your child. You know your child’s likes and dislikes best, but there may be some suggestions here for widening the scope and variety of activities you and your child might enjoy.
Make a time capsule
KS2, KS3
Find objects and things that represent a child’s interests and places and people that are special to them. Put them in a box or container to make a ‘time capsule’ that reflects them as a person. This can be revisited to discuss the objects and new ones can be added.
Primary, Secondary
A beautiful butterfly to colour in quietly and calmly. Time to rest busy brains and active bodies and be aware of the moment.
These two podcasts hosted by Dale Pickles and leading experts in the world of SEND provide information and support for parents of children with SEND about the implications of home learning. Links and more podcasts will be added
Primary, Secondary
Outstanding podcast from ACAMH about Coronavirus and helping children with autism to understand this through two accompanying Social Stories. Social stories are educational stories aiming to help children gain a better understanding of real-life events. Freddy, the coronavirus and school – written by Lucy Santuary, Specialist Speech & Language Therapist and Cognitive Behaviour Practitioner – primary age When anxiety feels overwelming – written by Professor Jackie Rogers from Newcastle University- any age
Secondary, post-16, adult
Reduce anxiety and stress by using a visualisation technique.
This starry sky relaxation is a guided imagery script that will describe relaxing at dusk and watching the stars appear in the night sky.
EYFS, KS1, KS2
There are also lovely reads and activities for children who need some extra support to feel relaxed, mindful, inspired and happy. These books are great if your child has particular worries or just wants to explore their identity and place in the world.
Early years primary
From the NAS website – some examples of toys, books and play equipment that many parents have found to be popular with young children on the autism spectrum.
This American resource is from the Illinois Autism Partnership. It has useful symbols for a range of daily activities, along with a choice board and activity planner.
All ages
Online resource from ‘Your Kids Table’ (USA) to help you find the right vestibular (balance) activities for your child as part of a sensory plan for home.
All ages
This guide provides an overview about anxiety in autism; how common it is, what causes it, and what strategies might help to manage and reduce it. Helps parents and professionals to make informed decisions about how to promote mental health and well-being for autistic children.
All ages
Online resource from ’Your Kids Table’ (USA) to help with regulating the proprioceptive system – our sense of body awareness to support your sensory plan for home.
Primary, Secondary
A booklet for parents and carers describing practical approaches at home to meeting sensory needs.
All ages
Guide from NHS Wales providing practical advice for parents to help children who are oversensitive to touch – tactile defensive.
All ages
This booklet produced by East Sussex LA gives ideas and examples of how autistic people might experience their environment to help the understanding of sensory needs.
EYFS, Primary, Secondary
This questionnaire can be filled in by parents and carers and/or children and young people (if appropriate) to help analyse sensory needs