Coping skills are strategies we use to manage feelings and handle stress. Coping is not something we are born knowing how to do; it’s something we learn with practice. It’s never too early or too late to start developing healthy coping skills, and teaching kids healthy coping strategies will help them become better able to handle life’s ups and downs. Coping skills can include deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, counting, resting, asking for help, guided imagery, movement, positive self-talk, etc. However, children of all ages benefit from coping tools that are tangible items they personally find soothing, comforting, enjoyable, distracting, etc. Check out our recommendations for coping tools organized by age group. It is your perfect gift guide this holiday season!
Coping/Soothing Items for Your Infant (0-12 months)
Blankets & swaddles
Pacifiers
Plushies or stuffed animals
Projection soothers
Sound machines (white noise, etc.)
Crib mobiles
Teether/soothers
Oball or other hand rattles
Mirrors
Vibration Mat
Coping Tools for Your Toddler (12-36 months)
Blankets
Plushies or stuffed animals
Bubbles
Pop fidgets
Sensory tubes
Glitter wands
Light wand
Liquid motion timer
Coping Tools for Your Preschooler (3-5 years old)
Maze boards
Pop Fidgets
Hoberman Sphere/Breathing Ball
Moods and emotions mirrors
Writing tablet
Model Magic
Scented putty
Monkey noodles
Finger puppets
Pin art board
Pop tubes
Coping Tools for Your School Aged Child (6-12 years old)
Mesh stress balls
Stretchy strings
Kinetic sand
Wreck This Journal
Educational learning ball (rainbow item pictured)
Marble fidgets
Hoberman Sphere/Breathing Ball
Coping Tools and Your Adolescent (13+ years old)
Rainbow puzzle ball
Rubik’s cube
Wireless headphones
Notebook
Gel pens & Mandala coloring
Drawing / art supplies
Stress balls
Handheld sensory massagers and/or scalp massager
Magazines/books
Breathing Necklace
Subscriptions or gift cards to apps or devices (music, health/wellness, gaming, reading, etc.)
Weighted Blanket
There are SO many ways these coping tools and toys can be utilized and paired with deep breathing or other calming techniques to increase their benefit. If you would like to learn how we find the right coping tools and techniques for your child's needs and how to BEST use these tools to ensure they are receiving the greatest benefit from them, schedule a FREE 15-minute consult with us today here!
Comments