Keeping Kids Calm: The Best Calming Movement Ideas

These easy activities all use repetitive, rhythmic movement to provide gentle stimulation to the vestibular system, which can help keep kids calm.

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A few weeks ago, I shared one of my all-time favorite simple calming sensory tricks that I use with kids in my therapy practice on a daily basis.

That trick was so easy and effective that it made me think of another one of my tried and true favorite calming strategies for kids: repetitive, rhythmic movement.

Think of all of the ways we use to soothe a crying infant.  We swaddle them, we sing to them, we shush them and, last but not least…we rock them (or, in other words, we provide them with repetitive, rhythmic movement).  Why?  Read on to find out!

How to Use Movement as a Calming Strategy

There are many strategies we can use to help kids with calming and self-regulation – from calming breathing techniques to guided meditation for kids to calming sensory strategies for school.  One of the most effective calming strategies for many kids is movement.

Rapid or less predictable movement experiences, as well as activities that include rotary movement (spinning), tend to have more of an alerting effect on kids.

On the other hand, slow, linear, and repetitive movements are often used by therapists to provide calming vestibular input for kids who tend to demonstrate a heightened level of arousal and alertness.

Check out some of our best calming movement ideas in this video:

Keeping Kids Calm: The Best Calming Movement Ideas

Try the following ideas, toys, and activities while focusing on keeping a slow pace and providing linear, repetitive, predictable rhythmic movement.

1 || Swinging on an indoor or outdoor swing like the Hugglepod from HearthSong.

2 || Row Your Boat Activity

3 || Rolling forward and back over an exercise ball

4 || Rocking chair

5 || Rolling forward and back over a bolster

6 || Rocking horse

7 || Gentle bouncing on an exercise ball

8 || Three-seat Rocker Toy

9 || Swurfer Swing

10 || Gentle bouncing on a Slackline

11 || Scoop Rocker

12 || Rocking on a Balance Board

13 || Rolling forward and backward on a scooter

14 || Rocking on a hammock

What are your favorite calming movement experiences for kids?  Share them in the comments below!  Be sure to check out our DIY Calm Down Kit and these ideas for Calm Kids on the Go!

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Claire Heffron

Claire Heffron is co-author at The Inspired Treehouse and a pediatric occupational therapist in a preschool/primary school setting. She began her career with a bachelor's degree in magazine journalism but quickly changed course to pursue graduate studies in occupational therapy. She has been practicing therapy for 10 years in public and specialized preschool/primary school settings. She is a mom to three funny, noisy boys and relies on yoga, good food, and time outside to bring her back to center.

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