
Comfort Strategies
Comfort a child in a stressful situation with these three methods.
During tough times and stressful situations, children may feel as if their worlds have been turned upside down. But you can create a calm, familiar environment and build children’s sense of security.
Provide Reassurance
Assure children they are safe and cared for: “I know this is hard, but you are very brave, and people can be brave and scared at the same time. We’ll get through this together.” Hold hands and hug often!
Model Healthy Ways of Coping
In tough times, children look to adults to see how they should feel and react, so staying calm as much as possible helps. Let them know that it’s okay to have all different types of feelings, and that they can always talk to a parent or another grown-up about what they’re thinking and feeling. Saying something like, “I get scared/worried sometimes, too, and I know it can feel icky inside,” can help justify their feelings and reassure them that they’re not alone.
Stick to Routines
There’s comfort in the familiar! Choose one simple daily routine that children can look forward to, such as singing the same lullaby at night. If children are struggling to carry out daily routines, it might help to hear something like, “Let’s put your worry on the shelf while we [take our afternoon walk, read a bedtime story, etc.]. Then we’ll pick it up again and talk about it.” Setting aside a worry or fear and then talking about it later can help put it into perspective and give children time to relax and enjoy something they like.

Listen, Feel, and See with Elmo
When children are in the hospital, this mindfulness game can help them soothe themselves.

Using Your Words
A coloring page helping children explore words for big feelings.

Safe & Together
When families have to leave home in order to stay safe, it helps to remember that home is where the love is.

Bubble Time
A quiet activity such as blowing bubbles can help both children and adults breathe deeply, slow down… and calm down.

Cookie Monster’s Beach Day
When children are in the hospital, their imagination can become a valuable tool in soothing themselves.

Monster Meltdown
Meltdowns happen… but they are somewhat predictable! As you try to handle them, curiosity and patience go a long way.

Toddler Tips: Meltdowns
Strategies for during and after a meltdown…and even some ways meltdowns might be avoided.