One of the clients I’ve been working with was having a really hard time calming her body, which made sitting still and following directions extremely difficult. As you can imagine, she often found herself in a “time-in” due to her behavior, but then had an incredibly hard time actually fulfilling this “time-in”. I knew it was time to try something new.
If you’re up to date on your social media, you likely have run into the tool of calming or sensory bottles. And perhaps, like me, you’ve been wondering about their effectiveness or if you have the crafty ability to make one. I have had some recent experience with this tool and can say that I’m impressed by how easy they are to make and how much kids seem to like them. If you’re not in the “social media know”, calming bottles are water bottles filled with glitter, sequins, and other decorations. When you shake them and flip them upside down, the contents swirl and eventually settle to the bottom.
So for my next session, I came armed with an empty water bottle, lots of glitter and sequins choices from the Dollar Store, and some glue. My client was very excited about this craft project and eagerly picked out the colors she wanted. When it was all completed, she sat transfixed watching the glitter and sequins swirl and settle. She even complied with taking deep breaths as she watched. I’m hopeful that this tool will help her complete her “time-ins” and help her practice calming down.
Ready to make your own? Here are some links below for instructions. There are several different types you can make, as well!
–http://www.preschoolinspirations.com/2014/11/13/6-ways-to-make-a-calm-down-jar/
–http://lemonlimeadventures.com/lego-calm-down-jar/
–http://heapsoflaundry.blogspot.com/2012/08/time-outcalm-down-bottles.html?m=1
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