August 2009

Tips from Camp 5

Ways to involve your child with others using the skills they have learned.

 The main goal of this camp was to teach the children ways of relaxation during high anxiety situations.  Relaxation is a life skill that is just as important as all other skills children learn.  We taught these skills concretely using art, games, and different activities.  Along with learning how to react in a stressful or over stimulated situation we also practiced sharing with friends, waiting on friends, and being kind to those around us. The room along with our activities was focused around relaxing sounds, soft light, and reputation.  The children practiced different Tai Chi movements as well as reflected on situations that helped them to feel calm.   This summer’s camp was a huge success, and I hope to see your child back next year!

If you are interested in learning specific Tai Chi techniques and other relaxation activities and games, we recommend the book The Power of Relaxation, written by Patrice Thomas.  We have also put together a few ideas to help you practice different ways to help your child find a calm and relaxing state in a high anxiety situation.  We hope you find these ideas helpful.  Please let us know if we can assist you with anything else.

• Tai Chi Relaxation Techniques

• Tai Chi promotes strength, flexibility, and coordination.  Relaxation and visualization techniques teach children the value of stillness and how to not only accept, but enjoy being calm and quiet.

 

• In a stressful or over stimulating situation, children’s reactions can change in many ways, resulting in what seems like inappropriate behavior such as aggression, withdrawal, irritability, and sadness.  Often this is a child attempting regulate emotions via any outlet possible.  As a parent teaching your child appropriate behaviors to communicate their needs in these situations will not only facilitate a lifestyle of relaxation for them, but for you as well. 

• When it is clear that your child is in a situation where their anxiety may rise, try to encourage them take some deep breaths.  Counting to 10 very slowly in a nice calm voice is a great way to talk them through this.  Follow this up by reminding them to take one deep breath, then tighten all of their muscles (we used the phrase “squeezing” or “freezing”) and then relax (“wiggle” or “melt”) right where they are. 

• It often helps to give them a visual or use a scenario for them to better understand these steps such as filling up like a balloon, then blowing out and shivering like cold ice cream then melting.  Going through these steps with your child is an excellent way to communicate that you care about their stress and are considering their feelings.  As you take the time to walk through these steps you will notice the anxiety, of both you and your child, begin to decrease. 

• Another example is to have your child lie on the floor and slowly inhale and exhale while giving them a relaxation scenario to help them visualize a peaceful experience such as:

• The water crashing against the rocks at the beach.
• An imaginary journey through the forest, listening to all the animal noises and wind blowing.
• Sitting under the stars and looking at how big they are while feeling the wind blow across their face.
• Use examples of something that melts down into the ground helping them to visualize their body loosening up from being tense.
• It is a good idea to use very descriptive words such as: sounds, smells, and tastes to help them to visualize the experience.  Encourage your child to close their eyes during this time, but recognize it may be difficult for your child to close their eyes until they are in a routine of relaxing with you. 

 

• When you are practicing relaxation techniques such as these, try your best to keep things consistent in order to make it as predictable as possible.  Using the same stretches, the same calm voice, helping your child visualize the same calm scenario and using the same words or visuals will allow your child to know what is coming next and allow them to truly relax with you guiding them through the process.  It also allows a routine to form; as our end desire is for your child -- after plenty of practice -- to be so comfortable walking through the steps of relaxation that they will eventually begin to recognize the feelings of anxiety and learn how to implement these routines independently.

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