Featured Technique

Add to your repertoire of creative therapeutic interventions with this original technique.

Please be sure to print this page as the technique below will be replaced by a new technique each month.

Printable form of current Featured Technique can be attained here.

CAUTION: THIS TECHNIQUE IS FOR USE BY MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WITH SPECIALIZED TRAINING IN CLINICAL WORK WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

Roll to Relax

Source: Liana Lowenstein, MSW, www.lianalowenstein.com

Introduction
This game helps children learn and practice calming strategies in an engaging way. Children learn calming techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing, heavy work activities, rhythmic movement, and bottom-up body-based regulation strategies that help calm the nervous system. These approaches are especially helpful because young children often regulate emotions more effectively through physical experiences before they are able to use more cognitive coping skills.

Ages: 5+

Goals

• Learn, practice, and implement helpful coping strategies
• Improve body awareness and relaxation skills
• Increase flexible thinking and problem-solving skills

Materials

• One die
• Post-it note
• Coloring supplies or stickers

Instructions
Review and practice each coping strategy prior to beginning the game so the child understands how to do each activity.

Take turns rolling the die and completing the matching coping strategy below. Continue playing until all strategies have been completed.

• 1= Cookie Breathing
  Pretend you are smelling a delicious cookie fresh out of the oven, then slowly blow out through your mouth as if cooling the hot cookie down. Repeat three times.
• 2 = Spaghetti Body
  Pretend your body is stiff, like uncooked spaghetti, by tightening the muscles in your body. Then pretend to turn into soft, cooked spaghetti by relaxing your whole body and wiggling your body. Repeat three times.
• 3 = Birthday Candle Breathing
  Hold up your finger in front of you and pretend it is a birthday candle. Take a deep breath in and slowly blow out as if gently blowing out the candle without making wax splatter everywhere. Repeat three times.
• 4 = Butterfly Hug
  Cross your arms over your chest like butterfly wings. Slowly tap your shoulders one at a time while taking slow calming breaths. Repeat three times.
• 5 = Palm Press
  Press your palms together as hard as you can while taking a deep breath in. Hold for three seconds, then relax your hands and breathe out slowly for four seconds. Repeat three times.
• 6 = You Choose
  The player chooses any of the five strategies to practice.

At the end of the game, discuss which coping tools felt most calming or helpful. Ask process questions such as:

• Which coping strategy did you like the most?
• Which coping strategy helped your body feel the calmest?
• When would it help you to use one of these coping strategies at home or at school?

At the end of the activity, ask the child to choose the coping strategy they liked best or found most helpful. Have the child write the name of the strategy on a Post-it note and decorate it using markers, stickers, or drawings. Encourage the child to take the Post-it note home and place it somewhere visible in their bedroom as a reminder to use the coping strategy when feeling upset, worried, angry, or overwhelmed.

If the caregiver has not been a part of the session, invite them into the room at the end of the activity. Encourage the child to show and explain the coping strategy written on the Post-it note. Discuss with the caregiver how they can gently remind and coach the child to use the coping strategy at home when the child is feeling distressed or overwhelmed.

Variation for Teens
Use an electronic dice app instead of a children’s die. Replace the strategies such as:

• 1 = Box Breathing
  Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4.
• 2 = Muscle Reset
  Tighten muscles throughout the body for 4 seconds, then slowly release tension.
• 3 = Controlled Breathing
  Take a slow deep breath in and exhale even more slowly to lower physical stress.
• 4 = Bilateral Tapping
  Cross arms and tap shoulders alternately while breathing slowly.
• 5 = Palm Press
  Press palms together firmly for 5 seconds, then release slowly.
• 6 = You Choose
  Choose any strategy that feels most effective.

Discuss real-life applications (exams, social anxiety, conflict, sleep, presentations, flashbacks)

Have the client create a "Top 3 Reset Strategies" note on their phone instead of a Post-it note. Encourage them to set calming reminders on their phone.

Possible Process Questions:

• Which strategy lowered stress the fastest?
• What signs tell you your body is becoming overwhelmed?
• Which coping strategy are you most likely to actually use when feeling stressed, anxious, angry, or overwhelmed?

About The Author
Liana Lowenstein, MSW, RSW, CPT-S, is a therapist, lecturer, and author who has been working with children and families since 1988. She is internationally recognized for her innovative work including numerous books on child and family therapy. She is winner of the Monica Herbert award for outstanding contribution to play therapy in Canada.