Week 2: Calming Glitter Jar
Everyone can benefit from a calming glitter jar. Shaking, turning and watching the glitter settle actually allows your body to receive important sensory input (visual and tactile) needed to organize thoughts, refocus attention and “rewire” your nervous system. Aside from all of the scientific reasons why it works to calm the brain, it is tons of fun, beautiful, inexpensive and easily accessible.
This jar can be taken out when a child is upset, frustrated or angry. This technique of redirection avoids all punishments. Instead it distracts and redirects the brain in a calming manner. Once the glitter has settled you can have a brief conversation about the emotions that were present. Many times a child gets frustrated and angry when they are not able to communicate effectively. It is our job to teach them effective and appropriate ways to do so.
Ingredients: (items can easily be purchased at a Dollar Store)
1) Plastic Bottle
2) 2 Tablespoons of glitter glue (your child’s favorite color)
3) an inch of extra glitter
4) 1 cup hot water
5) small figurine or toy (lego figure, doll)
Instructions:
Add items to clean plastic bottle in order. Leave an inch of space at the top for shaking room. Glue lid on bottle. Shake!
*The glitter can take anywhere from 1-5 minutes to settle. As it settles you will notice that your child can become “entranced” in the magic like qualities of the bottle – that is the brain relaxing 🙂
Enjoy!
Patient Parenting 101 