A day is full of stimuli. This applies to ourselves but also to our children. School, hobbies, boyfriends and girlfriends, screen time. So after a busy (school) day, it is wonderful for your child to relax and unstimulate at home. This way you give your child the opportunity to process the day and you prevent your child from becoming overstimulated. This results in crying fits and screams (this is also a form of de-stimulation). I give you 10 tips to help your child (calmly) unexcite after a busy day.
1. Drawing, painting, chalking, claying
Or another creative activity is an ideal way to help your child de-excite. Drawing, coloring, painting , chalking ( bath crayons are also very nice :), clays . Give your child the materials and let him/her do his/her thing. This way they can let their own creativity run wild.
2. Read
Just like for us, reading is also relaxing for children. Even just flipping through a book helps to de-excite after a busy day. Let your child read something himself or make it a moment together, where you read aloud or you read back and forth. Keep in mind that relaxation is the goal and not the speed or reading level. Do you want to help your child develop a positive mindset from an early age? Then the story of Tiger and Kiki in the jungle is highly recommended. This is about the Law of attraction for children, wrapped in a fun story with a beautiful message.
3. Yoga
Ideal for children (also for adults ;)) to get out of their head and into their body. By paying very conscious attention to breathing, the nervous system comes to rest. In combination with the yoga poses, this is a good way for children to relax. There are plenty of videos online for children’s yoga or let your child participate in your yoga session.
4. In the bath
Give your child a wonderful relaxing moment in a warm bath during a busy day. So not as fast, fast, because it still has to be today. But let your child play quietly and relax in the bath. Nice for the bath is, for example, the beautiful silicone toys from Nuuroo or let them get creative with bath chalk. If necessary, add a drop of lavender oil to the bath water, which ensures calming and relaxing.
5. Sensory toys
What kid doesn’t love it? Enjoy with your hands in the sand or splash with water. Sensory play is therefore a way to stimulate the child’s senses and creativity. But it also helps to calm your child down and regulate intense emotions. By stimulating the sense of touch, your child comes out of his head, which brings peace to restless children. Sensory toys are a form of open-ended toys: toys without an imposed play pattern. For example, fill a wooden play area (also called sensory play box) with magical play sand (kinetic sand) or play rice and experience the soothing effect on your child. Preferably choose durable toys made of natural materials, such as wooden toys.
6. Cuddling
Give your child(s) every day (a lot:) Hugs. Not only when they are small, but also older children benefit from daily cuddles. This releases the hormone oxytocin. This is also called the cuddle hormone. High oxytocin levels are associated with a sense of trust and belonging, and it reduces stress. So everyone benefits from cuddling!
7. Massage
A massage can also help your child process stimuli and relax. It does not have to be very extensive, but take for example a little natural shea butter or coconut oil and massage the hands or feet of the child. Do this before going to bed and your child will fall asleep.
8. Meditation
This is also very relaxing for children. There are plenty of mediations for children online. Make it a moment together. Sit or lie down together and listen to a nice children’s meditation. Also works wonderfully relaxing for mom or dad.
9. Music and dancing
Turn on the music and shake off the day together. Dancing together and acting crazy. By moving, your child can release all the accumulated energy and tension after a busy day with many stimuli.
10. Into nature
After a day at school, take your child to the forest or park and take a lovely walk together. Even though your child may not feel like it right away. I know from my own experience that once you are on the road, the positive effects of nature and movement will automatically work and your child will become nice and calm. After a while you will see that they still like it and like it.
