Songs/music
Below is a list of suggested songs/music to enhance children's emotional self-regulation.
Songs
Adapt familiar songs, by replacing the regular words with words related to calming down. See the example below. All words in italics are actions.
Revised version of 'If you're happy and you know it'
If you’re angry and you know it,
Take a deep breath,
Take a big breath in and out.
If you’re angry and you know it,
Take a deep breath,
Take a big breath in and out.
If you’re angry and you know it and you really want to get over it,
If you’re angry and you know it,
Take a deep breath,
Take a big breath in and out.
If you’re angry and you know it,
Count to five,
Hold up your fist and slowly lift your fingers up one by one as you mime counting to 5
If you’re angry and you know it,
Count to five,
Hold up your fist and slowly lift your fingers up one by one as you mime counting to 5
If you’re angry and you know it and you really want to get over it,
If you’re angry and you know it,
Count to five,
Hold up your fist and slowly lift your fingers up one by one as you mime counting to 5
Etc.
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You can adapt this well-known song to assist with overcoming other uncomfortable emotions, such as sadness:
If you’re sad and you know it and you really want to get over it,
If you’re sad and you know it...get a hug, talk to someone, play a game you like, etc.
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As a group, brainstorm ways to overcome uncomfortable emotions, such as anger, sadness, worry, fear, loneliness, shame, etc., and revise the lyrics of the song to include these ideas.
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Songs are also available online to assist with the development of self-regulation and resilience. Simply search online using search terms such as, 'calm down song' and 'resilience song'. These are a great starting point to develop your own personalised songs.
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Other ideas
Listen to different styles of music and talk about how the music makes you feel and which music might help you to calm down when upset.
Use instruments to demonstrate different emotions. Reach a climax of intense emotion and then calm the music to demonstrate green zone feelings.
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Create a dance with actions to remember calm-down strategies.