Helping Children Soothe Themselves
Two simple, hands-on ways to help children overwhelmed by big feelings.
Print these step-by-step directions for making two items (from everyday materials) that can help soothe a child overwhelmed by big feelings: a comfort container and an ocean bottle.
It’s helpful to keep in mind that mental health isn’t necessarily about feeling “good” at all times—it can be about how we deal with challenges, and there are so many coping strategies like these that you can teach and practice with your children. They’ll use these tools over their lifetimes… long after the big and small challenges of their childhood have come and gone.
Body Break
A quick, playful body break helps children reset by moving, stretching, and breathing to feel calmer, more focused, and ready for what’s next.
Rosita’s Family Quilt
By adding the shirt to their family quilt, Rosita learns how memories, change, and love can turn something broken into something beautiful.
How to Help
When we have big feelings, a hint, high-five, or hands-on help can make the work easier to do — together!
Feeling Your Best
Grover learns that moving his body helps him feel happy and strong.
Grover Explains Cooperation
Grover and the Letter C explore the word of the day.
Bert and Ernie Compromise
Bert and Ernie explore how to compromise.
Kindness Comes in Many Forms
Big Bird and Felix discuss Big Bird’s gift for Oscar.
