Relaxation Techniques to Calm Anxiety and Reduce Stress in Early Learning

Supporting children’s emotional well-being is essential in early childhood education. Teaching relaxation techniques helps children manage stress hormones, build self-regulation skills, and create a sense of calm in the learning environment. Incorporating sensory play, mindful breathing, and calming art activities can be an effective way to promote relaxation. At ABC School Supplies, we offer a range of resources to support these practices in your early learning setting.

When children need a quiet moment to relax and reset, sensory play with dough rollers can provide a soothing and engaging experience. Creating repetitive patterns in play dough is not only satisfying but also helps develop fine motor skills. It encourages mindfulness and gives children the opportunity to express their emotions through creative play.

A designated calming space can be a powerful way to help children manage stress and promote overall wellbeing. A well-thought-out relaxation area allows children to engage in stress management techniques that help you relax the mind and body, lower heart rate, and reduce stress levels. Incorporating elements such as soft textures, soothing visuals, and sensory experiences can support progressive muscle relaxation and other relaxation exercises. Fresh air, visualisation techniques, and engaging in activities like yoga for physical health or massage-inspired sensory play can help children keep a level head and feel more at ease in stressful situations.

Set up a quiet corner with:

• Patterned Dough Rollers – Encourage children to create patterns that evoke a sense of peace, such as waves, stars, or feathers. The rhythmic rolling motion can aid in progressive muscle relaxation, helping to calm both the mind and body while fostering creativity.
• Soft Play Dough – When it comes to colour, choose calming colours such as pastel blues and greens to enhance relaxation. If you roll and squish or massage the dough can help reduce muscle tension and lower cortisol levels, making it a simple yet effective way to help children relax.
• Sensory Cushions & Cuddly Toys – Offer additional comfort for children who need extra support. The soft, comforting textures can contribute to stress management, while holding a cuddly toy or pet-like plush can provide a sense of security, similar to the way spending time with a pet can naturally help to calm emotions.
• Candle and Aromatherapy Exploration – Introduce children to gentle, child-safe aromatherapy scents such as lavender and chamomile. Watching a flameless LED candle flicker or smelling essential oils can be a great way to lower stress and anxiety, helping children feel peaceful in a stressful situation. This feel-good activity supports mental health by slowing down tense emotions and creating a relaxing atmosphere.

Encourage independent exploration with the rollers, allowing children to experience the smooth motion and tactile stimulation. The rhythmic rolling and pattern formation can be particularly beneficial for children who feel overwhelmed or anxious.

• Admire the patterns – Ask children what shapes or images they see in their creations.
• Use directional language – Encourage children to roll in different directions, such as up, down, or around.
• Discuss textures – Talk about how the dough feels as they roll it: Is it smooth or rough? Soft or firm?
• Encourage imaginative play – Mix patterns to create a story, such as fish swimming through waves or feathers floating in the wind.
• Incorporate multisensory elements – Add calming scents like lavender, rosemary, or vanilla to enhance the sensory experience.
• Explore different materials – Try rolling patterns in kinetic sand, cloud dough, or clay for varied sensory input.

Deep breathing exercises help children calm their bodies and minds. The feather breathing technique is a simple way to introduce mindful breathing in a fun and engaging way.

1. Hold a feather in front of your face. Take a deep breath in, then exhale slowly, watching the feather move with your breath.
2. Place the feather on your hand and blow it gently into the air. How long can you keep it floating?
3. If a real feather isn’t available, use a tissue or encourage children to imagine a feather drifting down as they exhale slowly.

This activity can be incorporated into daily routines, such as after bath or lunch or before nap time, to help children develop calming strategies they can use whenever they feel overwhelmed. You can do simple things if you’re feeling stressed, relieve stress, unwind or relax the muscles. Any mental health professional suggest journaling, count backwards or even to jog as a stress-relief that will change your life.

Art is a wonderful way for children to express emotions and find relaxation through creativity. Using dough rollers to create patterns can inspire other calming artistic activities, such as:

• Collage Creations – Stick feathers, stars, or hearts onto paper to replicate their dough patterns.
• Hanging Mobiles – Cut out stars, fish, or clouds and suspend them from the ceiling to create a relaxing visual display.
• Clay Imprints – Press rollers into air-drying clay, seal with a glue-water mix, and paint the designs once dry.

Pairing these activities with calming music can deepen relaxation and response to stress. Consider playing:

• Sheep May Safely Graze by J.S. Bach
• Clair de Lune by Debussy
• Gabriel’s Oboe by Ennio Morricone

Soft instrumental music creates a soothing atmosphere and helps children focus on their sensory and creative experiences.

Using open-ended questions can help children reflect on their feelings and experiences.

• Clouds: Have you ever looked for pictures in the clouds? How do fluffy clouds make you feel?
• Stars: How do stars make you feel? Do you know any songs about stars?
• Hearts: Can you think of someone you love? How can we show we care for each other?
• Waves: How do you feel when watching water flow in a river or at the seaside?

Reading stories about emotions can help children develop self-awareness and coping strategies. Some great options include:

• Little Boat by Taro Gomi
• Calm-Down Time by Elizabeth Verdick
• The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
• I Am Calm by Roger Priddy

By incorporating relaxation techniques into daily routines, educators can help children develop lifelong strategies for managing stress and emotions. Meditation offers quality of life and may help to release endorphins. ABC School Supplies provides a variety of sensory and calming resources to support these activities, ensuring children have a nurturing space to relax, reflect, and grow.