Children experience emotions just like adults do, but often have a harder time managing them. One common emotion that children struggle with is anger, and it can be difficult for parents and caregivers to know how to help them calm down.

Thankfully, there is a simple and effective technique that parents can use to help manage the anger of their children: calm balloons.

What are Calm Balloons?

Calm balloons are a way to help children manage their anger by encouraging them to focus on their breathing. By inflating and deflating a balloon, children are able to slow down their breathing and calm themselves down.

This technique can be used by children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers.

How to Use Calm Balloons

To use calm balloons, you will need a few supplies:.

A pack of balloons
A marker

Once you have your supplies, follow these steps:.

Take a balloon and write the word “calm” on it with a marker.
Show the balloon to your child and explain that it is a “calm balloon.”
Instruct your child to hold the balloon and slowly inhale through their nose.
As they inhale, the child should imagine that they are filling the balloon with air.
Once they have taken a deep breath, instruct your child to slowly exhale through their mouth.
As they exhale, the child should imagine that they are deflating the balloon.
Repeat this process as many times as necessary until your child is feeling calmer and more relaxed.

Why Calm Balloons Work

Calm balloons work by encouraging children to focus on their breathing. When a child is feeling angry or upset, their breathing becomes shallow and fast. By slowing down their breathing, children are able to calm themselves down and think more clearly.

The act of inflating and deflating a balloon also provides a physical distraction that can help children shift their focus away from their anger.

Additional Tips for Using Calm Balloons

While calm balloons can be a helpful way to manage childhood anger, there are some additional tips that parents and caregivers should keep in mind to make the technique more effective:.

Introduce calm balloons to your child when they are in a calm and relaxed state. This will allow them to associate the balloons with positive feelings, making the technique more effective when they are feeling angry.
Practice using calm balloons with your child when they are feeling calm so that they are comfortable using the technique when they are feeling angry.
Encourage your child to use calm balloons as soon as they start feeling angry. The earlier they start using the technique, the easier it will be for them to calm down.
With younger children, you may need to demonstrate how to inhale and exhale slowly before they are able to do it on their own.
Keep a pack of balloons and a marker in a visible, accessible place so that your child can easily access them when they need to use the technique.

Conclusion

Calm balloons are a simple and effective technique for managing childhood anger. By encouraging children to focus on their breathing, the technique can help children calm themselves down and think more clearly.

While it may take some practice for children to get comfortable with the technique, it can be a valuable tool for parents and caregivers to use to help their children manage their emotions.