by Mercedes Madrid-Lowery, LCSW, Clinical Behavioral Health Specialist

Young children experience big feelings every day — excitement, frustration, worry, disappointment, joy and everything in between. As they grow, they are still learning how to understand and manage these emotions in healthy, developmentally appropriate ways. To support this growth and promote a calmer, more connected classroom environment, GRHIC is providing Calm Down Kits to kindergarten through second grade classrooms across participating schools as part of the Kids Alliance for Better Care (KidsABC) pediatric mental and wellness project.

What Are Calm Down Kits?

Calm Down Kits are small, thoughtfully assembled collections of tools designed to help students self-regulate during moments of heightened emotion. These kits include a variety of sensory and comfort items such as plush toys, squishy or fidget items, Play-Doh, slime, mini puzzles and other hands-on materials. Each item serves a purpose — offering a safe and structured way for children to soothe their bodies, channel their energy and regain focus.

Rather than serving as “toys,” these tools function as regulation supports, giving students options to pause, breathe and re-center themselves before rejoining learning activities. The goal is not distraction, but intentional calming.

Children in early grades are just beginning to understand their emotions and how to manage them. While some may be able to name what they are feeling, many cannot yet express needs or frustrations verbally. Calm Down Kits help bridge that gap in a developmentally appropriate way.

The purpose of offering these kits includes:

Supporting emotional regulation — Young children often need physical tools to help their bodies settle. Sensory materials such as squeezable items or textures help activate the parts of the brain that promote calmness and organize overwhelming feelings.
Reducing disruptions and stress — Students who can take a brief moment to self-regulate are more likely to return to learning quickly — and with improved focus. Kits help prevent emotional moments from escalating into classroom disruptions.
Promoting independence — By choosing tools that help them feel better, students practice decision-making, self-awareness and emotional ownership. Over time, they learn what strategies work best for them.
Strengthening classroom relationships — When students feel supported in their emotional experiences, trust grows. A regulated classroom becomes a more positive, predictable place for learning.

Who Received Calm Down Kits?

This year, Calm Down Kits were distributed to kindergarten, first grade and second grade teachers across KidsABC participating schools. Each kit is tailored to the needs of younger students, ensuring items are safe, age-appropriate and easy for teachers to manage. The goal is to provide educators with practical tools that integrate smoothly into daily routines while addressing the emotional and behavioral needs of their students.

Tips for Helping Children Regulate Emotions

Whether in the classroom or at home, adults play a crucial role in helping children learn how to navigate feelings. Here are some simple strategies to support emotional regulation:

Name the feeling — Children often calm more quickly when an adult labels what they might be experiencing. Phrases such as “It looks like you are feeling frustrated” help them link sensations to words.
Stay calm yourself — A regulated adult helps a dysregulated child. Your calm voice, steady breathing and reassuring presence send the message, “You are safe.”
Offer choices — Choice promotes empowerment. Ask, “Would you like to squeeze this fidget or try Play-Doh?” This encourages kids to take ownership of their calming process.
Keep language simple — Use short, clear statements such as “Let’s take a break,” “Try this to help your body calm down” or “You can rejoin when you’re ready.”
Praise the process — Reinforce regulation efforts by saying things such as “You took a break and came back ready — great job calming your body.”

A Small Tool with Big Impact

Calm Down Kits are more than a box of sensory items — they are an investment in student wellness, emotional learning and positive school climate. By giving children accessible tools to manage big feelings, we foster resilience, independence and readiness to learn.