9 Calm Down Ideas Poster Update

The original 9 Calm Down Ideas poster for managing big emotions has been in circulation for some time now and I have received feedback from a small number of readers to say that they are uncomfortable with one of the original poster suggestions – punch a pillow. I completely understand. Directing a child to what is commonly considered an aggressive action can definitely feel like it is more fueling the anger rather than helping a child to calm down.

I have been directed to research that suggests that non-violent venting is preferable for calming, which clearly makes sense. On the flip side, I have also received feedback from parents who find that this is indeed a strategy that works for their child. One mother recently shared; “Just for the record, #2 is really helpful for my boys. Sometimes they need to use their muscles first, before they can find their words. [It] usually only takes one hit, and we always work on words after they calm down.”

So where does that leave us? I guess with a compromise! There are now two versions of the poster for you to choose from. Both include physical, active, big muscle suggestions alongside quieter responses.

Both also work as a companion to the first poster in this series – 5 Steps to Managing Big Emotions – providing a natural continuation to the final step of that initial calm down process – providing children with ideas for taking the extra time they need to calm down. I suggest you pick and print the one that suits your child and family best.

Managing Big Emotions: 9 Calm Down Ideas for Kids

Suggestions for Introducing the Calm Down Ideas Poster

  • Print out the poster and read through it together. Take time to talk with your child about their own, preferred calm down methods. Not all of the ideas will suit everyone, and that is okay – nominating one or two of the ideas from the list to try next time big emotions arise (or agreeing on another, different method of your own creation) is a good idea.
  • Share your own preferences for calming down with your child too. It’s good for children to see adults dealing with conflict and big emotions constructively too.
  • Display the poster together with poster #1 in your child’s bedroom, playroom or your family living area as a helpful, visual prompt for working through these big emotions together.

Download Instructions: 9 Calm Down Ideas Poster

Click here to download: 9 Calm Down Ideas for Kids Poster . Save the PDF to your computer. Open the PDF to print the pages you require. Please carefully read any printing instructions included within the document.
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Please note: All Childhood 101 printables are for personal use only, you may not use any part of this content for commercial purposes-that includes selling the document, giving it away to promote your business or website, or printing the file to sell. You may not share, loan or redistribute these documents. Teachers may use multiple copies for students in their own classroom.

Managing Big Emotions: 9 Calm Down Ideas for Kids

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2 Comments

  1. I use a variety of your products and actually told my son’s psychologist about your site. He loves it. These are being used at my children’s elementary school and teachers love them. Thanks again.

  2. Hello Christie,

    I am Teacher Yessi from El Proyecto Child Development Center and we were wondering if you had these amazing posters in Spanish. We really like them and would like to share them with our families but most of our parents are Spanish speakers. If not, would you mind if we translated them?

    Thank you for your hard work and dedication.

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