Calming Strategies for Over-Sensitive Children

Calming strategies to help over-sensitive children to regulate their emotions.

Sensory processing issues are common among children, and some children have a heightened sensitivity to certain sensory experiences, including touch, sound, and visual stimuli. These sensitivities can be challenging for both the child and their parents, especially when it comes to managing their emotions and behaviours.

Here are some calming strategies that can help sensory over-sensitive children to regulate their emotions and manage their responses to sensory experiences.

Create a Calming Environment
Creating a calming environment can help sensory over-sensitive children feel more comfortable and reduce their anxiety levels.

Some effective strategies include:
- Reducing background noise: turning off the TV or radio and using sound-absorbing materials such as carpets and curtains to reduce noise levels.
- Using soothing colours: pastel colours such as blues, greens, and yellows can be calming, while bright colours can be overstimulating.
- Providing a safe space: creating a safe space where the child can retreat to when feeling overwhelmed or anxious can be beneficial. This can be a quiet room or a cosy corner with soft furnishings and comforting items such as stuffed animals.

Deep Breathing Exercises
Deep breathing exercises are a simple and effective way to help sensory over-sensitive children calm down. Encourage your child to take deep breaths, inhaling slowly through the nose and exhaling slowly through the mouth. You can use fun visuals such as blowing bubbles or imagining they are blowing up a balloon to make it more engaging.

Sensory Diet
A sensory diet is a daily routine of sensory activities that are designed to regulate a child's sensory processing. Sensory activities can include jumping on a trampoline, swinging, or playing with textured toys. It is important to work with an Occupational Therapist to support you in creating a bespoke sensory diet that meets your child's specific needs. Inside the Sensory Hub I teach you which strategies you can start using right away!

Use Weighted Blankets
Weighted blankets provide deep pressure stimulation, which can help to calm over-sensitive children. The pressure from the blanket can help to reduce anxiety levels and promote relaxation. You can use a weighted blanket during nap time, bedtime, or when the child is feeling anxious. You can find my favourite weighted blanket here: Weighted Blanket

Engage in Sensory Play
Sensory play can help sensory over-sensitive children to explore different textures, smells, and tastes in a safe and controlled environment. Sensory play can involve sand, water, playdough, or any other tactile materials. Sensory play can be an effective way to reduce anxiety levels and promote relaxation.

Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a technique that involves focusing on the present moment without judgment. Encourage your child to practice mindfulness by focusing on their breath, body, and emotions. You can also use guided meditation or visualisations to help your child relax.

Provide Deep Pressure Stimulation
Deep pressure stimulation involves applying pressure to different parts of the body. This can be done by giving a hug, using a weighted blanket, or using a pressure vest. Deep pressure stimulation can help to reduce anxiety levels and promote relaxation.

In conclusion, sensory over-sensitive children can benefit from a variety of calming strategies. It is important to involve your child in choosing activities that they find enjoyable and engaging. Creating a calming environment, practicing deep breathing exercises, engaging in sensory play, and providing deep pressure stimulation are all effective strategies that can help sensory over-sensitive children to regulate their emotions and manage their responses to sensory experiences.

It is important to work with an experienced OT to help guide you in creating a bespoke sensory plan for your child - one size does not fit all!

Join the Sensory Hub for the most affordable way to access OT support in the whole of the UK!

Dive deeper with these relevant resources:
Read: What is Sensory Processing Disorder?
Join: The Sensory Hub
Want more: Book a 1-2-1 session with me