ABSTRACT
Tools for Teaching Children to Calm Down 207 Tool 1. Self-Soothing 207 Tool 2. Activities for Problems of Touch 211 Tool 3. Guidelines for Helping Children Move with Ease and Comfort 215 Tool 4. Teaching Your Child to Be More Coordinated 217 Tool 5. Learning to Pay Attention 219 Tool 6. Distraction 222 Tool 7. Positive Self-Talk 224 Tool 8. Mindfulness: Stilling the Mind 226 Tool 9. Systematic Relaxation: Stilling the Body 228
Tools for Building Self-Esteem 230 Tool 10. Validation 230 Tool 11. Child-Centered Time 232 Tool 12. Having Fun 234
Tools for Managing Out-of-Control Behavior 236 Tool 13. Changing Behavior: Positive Reinforcement, Ignoring, Modeling, and Shaping Behavior 236 Tool 14. Teaching Consequences and Repair 238 Tool 15. Observing Limits 240 Tool 16. Time Out 242 Tool 17. A Token Economy: Rewarding Positive Behavior 245
Tools for Providing Structure 248 Tool 18. Food Rules 248 Tool 19. Being Content Alone 250 Tool 20. Strategies for Managing Your Child at Night 253 Tool 21. Helping Your Child Feel Less Fearful At Nighttime 257 Tool 22. Providing Structure to the Day 258
Tools for Improving Interpersonal Skills 261 Tool 23. The Ice-Cream Sandwich 261 Tool 24. Having GREAT FUN Communicating 262 Tool 25. Teaching Responsibility and Cooperation 263
Tool 1. Self-Soothing Activities that Are Mentally Soothing What does your child like to do that is calming? The activities might include playing with Legos or dolls, reading, video games, etc. Bear in mind that to be soothing, the task should not be too demanding or frustrating. Make a poster or chart with your child, listing his favorite activities. Pictures or line drawings may need to accompany the list. Refer to this with your child, updating it periodically. Indicate which activities are best at certain times of the day or for certain settings.
