Teaching children to relax their bodies and release stress.

1- Counting

Let your child choose a specific number, for example, the number 17, and encourage them to count to 17 at school during a situation that causes them extreme stress and tension, or even during a situation with a classmate that might lead to an argument or quarrel.

2- The Senses Technique

This technique targets the child’s senses to remind them of being in the present moment, helping them relax and overcome any stressful or pressuring situation.

Ask the child to take a deep breath, then look around and name five things they can see out loud, such as: “I see a cup,” “I see a picture”…

Next, ask the child to notice their body and say four sentences about it out loud, such as: “I feel the chair I am sitting on,” “I feel my feet are cold”…

Now, ask the child to listen carefully to everything around them and name three things they can hear, such as: “I hear the sound of cars,” “I hear birds chirping”…

It’s time to focus on the things the child can smell and name two of them out loud, such as: “I smell a nice perfume.”

Finally, to focus on the sense of taste, ask the child to name one thing they can currently taste in their mouth, such as: “I taste the cheese I ate during the break.”

After completing the exercise, ask the child to take a deep breath.

3- Visualization

This is one of the methods for teaching children how to relax their bodies. It’s worth noting that children have vivid imaginations, which helps them achieve this easily.

The next time your child feels stressed or pressured, encourage them to imagine a beautiful picture or scene, and help them draw this image in the early attempts until they can do it on their own later.

For example, tell them: “Imagine we are on the beach playing with sand,” and encourage them to add more details to this picture.

4- Practicing Meditation

Although the previous techniques are considered types of meditation, this one specifically means sitting with a straight back, then asking the child to close their eyes and breathe deeply for two minutes.

After finishing this exercise, the child will feel more relaxed and calm.

Encourage your child to practice these techniques regularly, and over time, you will notice that your child has become more capable and aware of controlling their emotions and quick reactions.