SLOW DOWN and LISTEN!! tips for tricky behaviors

If your kid is too “wound up” and is having a hard time redirecting their energy:

• have them do animal walks in the hallway/across the room (crab walk, bear walk, frog hops, snake crawl, duck walk, penguin waddle etc)
• wheelbarrow walk from point A to point B
• ask them to do something that requires precision like stacking blocks, walking along a line, balance something on their head, pouring a drink of water (the element of precision will force them to slow down)
• if they break a rule you can ask them if they want to have a time out or do animal walks - they will choose animal walks almost every time, and they will be much more effective 
• let them build with play doh or any type of squishy modeling compound - it’s a great activity with tactile, smell, and deep pressure elements (and it’s portable, you can keep a little tupperware with playdoh in it anywhere you go)

If they get stuck or says “no” to a task:

• offer to race them, add an element of competition
• time how fast they can complete the task
• ask them to do the task in a funny way (like backwards, or on his tiptoes, or as slowly as they can)

If they are having a “defiant” day or are stuck in a defiant mood, remember that’s their way of controlling their environment:

• make sure to give them an element of control, so let them choose one of two choices of food/activities/clothing etc.

• make a 3 step list - like a visual schedule - on a piece of paper or a small whiteboard,  this will decrease any anxiety they are experiencing about what comes next  (limit the list to three items,  let them cross them off as they complete them, they can even write or illustrate the list) (example: 1. eat breakfast 2. get dressed 3. go to a friend's house)