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Have you seen calming bottles before? Also known as a calm-down bottle or a sensory bottle. This is such fun craft for kids AND it's a great tool for them to have in their toolbox when trying to calm down or cope.
There are a number of different versions out there, so if you want to explore your options a bit, you can google "calming bottles" and a bunch of versions come up. The one I am sharing is a very simple version. I have done this with my little one (with a lot of assistance), and he loved it!
Supplies:
water bottle or jar with a lid that will close tightly
I recommend plastic so you do not need to worry about kids dropping it. The first time I made these, I went to Trader Joe's and got a couple of juice bottles, emptied them, and took their labels off. Then I ordered some on Amazon because I wanted to make a bunch as a party favor. These are similar to the ones I ordered.
Hot water
Clear glue
Glitter (your child can choose the color they want)
Super glue or hot glue
Food coloring
Optional: mix-ins that your child will like (they can help you choose if you want) - it can be anything that can sit in water. Some ideas: LEGO bricks, beads, glow-in-the-dark pieces, googly eyes, etc.
Instructions:
Clean out the bottles if needed
Fill the bottle about 3/4 full with hot water (leave a little more space if your mix-ins are bigger)
Add clear glue (to within about an inch of the top of the bottle; more if your mix-in take up some space)
Add glitter
Shake well
If you want the glitter to fall more slowly, add more glue. If you want the glitter to fall more quickly, add more water.
Add food coloring
Add mix-ins
Super glue or hot glue the top (Be sure your child will NOT be able to get it open, especially if they are young).
Want to check out some fancier or more complex versions of the calming bottle, check out these sites:
How to Use a Calming Bottle
Okay, so now you have this cute calm-down bottle, but now what? It is important that you teach your child how to use the calming bottle, so it is a useful tool in their toolbox.
Calm-down bottles can be a tool to help children learn how to control their emotions and learn to self-regulate. Now children under 7 absolutely cannot self-regulate on their own (see my previous post on Emotional Regulation), but we can start to teach them and show them the skills so that when their brains are developmentally ready they will have the skills.
So when your child starts to get upset, they can shake up this bottle (which can help them direct their physical energy into something safe) and watch the glitter settle giving them time to calm down (this visual can help children start calm breathing and re-regulate). They can do this as many times as they need.
Step 1: You will need to teach them how to do this and model it for them, likely more than once. Calming skills take practice. I recommend practicing it when they are calm as it will make it easier for them to transfer the skill when they are not calm. Show them how to use the bottle, regulate their breathing, and regulate their emotions.
Step 2: Try to catch your child when they are beginning to leave the green pathway/calm (see my previous post on Emotional Regulation), but before they are in the red (meltdown) stage. Then you can offer this as a tool to help them. For example, " I see that you are frustrated and feeling anger, let's take a break to shake up this bottle. Let's try breathing while you watch the glitter fall."
Step 3: Have the bottle where it can be easily accessed. Continue to teach them and guide them in using it as a tool as needed.
Note: You can have multiple calming bottles in various places. For example, in a spot your child may go to calm down, in an area where they often play, and in an area they often do homework or are challenged.
I love this idea to help our kids and it is a fun activity for them to make.
Remember Mama, you are doing a great job! You got this!
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