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A comprehensive website that covers legal resources and questions parents may have about the IEP process and placement for students receiving special education services.

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Developing good organizational skills is a key ingredient for success in school and in life. Although some people by nature are more organized than others, anyone can put routines and systems in place to help a child become more organized. The Coordinated Campaign for Learning Disabilities has compiled a list of strategies that parents can use to help their child develop good organizational skills.

In the first chapter of her book, Homeschooling Your Struggling Learner, Kathy Kuhl explains how she came to the realization that school wasn't working for her son and decided to do what she never thought she could: stay home and teach him.

tudents' emotional responses to challenging situations can influence their concentration, perseverance, application of learned skills, and interactions with others. Even with safe and supportive classroom environments, students often have difficulty because they lack the communication skills to address challenging situations.

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LD OnLine: The world's leading website on learning disabilities and ADHD

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LD OnLine is the leading website on learning disabilities, learning disorders and differences. Parents and teachers of learning disabled children will find authoritative guidance on attention deficit disorder, ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dysnomia, reading difficulties, speech and related disorders.

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A basic primer on Special Education. Excellent place to begin.

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Special education is tailored to meet the needs of students with disabilities. The services and supports one child receives may be very different from what another child receives. It's all about individualization. What's important is giving kids the resources they need to make progress in school.

What do you imagine when you think about special education? You might picture children with disabilities spending the day tucked away in a different kind of classroom, separated from most of the kids their age. This may have been the norm in the past. But as the field of special education has moved forward, much has changed.

Special education today is still focused on helping children with disabilities learn. But this no longer has to mean placing kids in a special classroom all day long. In fact, federal law requires that students who receive special education services be taught alongside their non-disabled peers as much as possible.

For example, some students with dyslexia may spend most of the day in a general education classroom. They may spend just an hour or two in a resource room working with a specialist on reading and other skills. Other students with dyslexia might need more support than that. And others might need to attend a different school that specializes in teaching kids with learning disabilities.

"Special education refers to a range of services that can be provided in different ways and in different settings."

There is no "one size fits all" approach to special education. It's tailored to meet each student's needs. Special education refers to a range of services that can be provided in different ways and in different settings.

To qualify for special education services, a student must:

"Access" is an important term in education. Making the curriculum accessible to students with disabilities is a lot like making buildings accessible to people in wheelchairs. If there's a barrier to your child's learning, such as difficulty reading, the school needs to come up with the equivalent of a wheelchair ramp to help your child access the reading material.

School districts have a process in place to determine which students are eligible for special education. This process involves a comprehensive evaluation that looks at the way your child thinks. It also looks at other aspects of his development. You or your child's school can request an evaluation. If the district agrees to evaluate your child, the testing will be conducted at no cost to you.

IDEA covers 13 types of disabilities. These categories include autism, hearing impairment and intellectual disability (which used to be referred to as "mental retardation"). Another category, called " specific learning disability ," applies to many kids who have learning and thinking differences.

A specific learning disability most often affects skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking, reasoning and doing math. Common learning differences in this category include:

Specific learning disabilities are very common. Some 2.4 million students in U.S. schools have been identified as having a learning disability.[1] This is the largest disability category of students receiving special education.

There's a separate category called "other health impairment." It's defined as having limited strength or alertness, which affects educational performance. Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) are often covered by this category.

Schools have a special term for deciding to place a child in one type of classroom rather than another. Schools refer to this as " placement ." General education classrooms are the most common placement for kids with learning disabilities.

Schools use many strategies to help students receiving special education services succeed in general education settings. These strategies include:

Other types of classrooms or placements should be considered only if you and the school think your child will not be able to experience success in the general education classroom. There are some important things to consider before changing your child's placement. For example, it's important to know that schools can't use budget issues as a reason to refuse to provide accommodations and services.

Even with various supports and services, some students might not be able to keep up with the pace of a general education classroom. Here are some other possible placements:

Self-contained classroom: Some students may make more progress in a classroom that is only for students receiving special education services. A self-contained classroom is taught by a special education teacher and typically has far fewer students than a general education classroom. With a lower ratio of students to teachers, a self-contained classroom can offer more one-on-one teaching that is tailored to each student's goals and objectives.

Self-contained classrooms are sometimes referred to as special classrooms. Some students may spend all day in self-contained classrooms. Other students may spend part of the day "mainstreamed" in general education classrooms such as for art and P.E.

Inclusion classroom: A third option that is popular at many schools is called an inclusion classroom. This type of classroom includes a mix of students who do and do not receive special education services. A special education teacher and a general education teacher share equal responsibility for teaching the class. They weave in lots of learning supports to help students with different learning styles and skill levels.

Out-of-district placement: Some students may need more specialized teaching or support than their local school district can provide. If a child isn't making adequate progress, the district may agree to what's called out-of-district placement. This is when the district covers the cost of educating a child somewhere else, such as:

There are also accommodations for taking tests. Students are expected to learn the same material. But they can show what they know in a different way. For example, if a child has a reading disability , the teacher might ask the test questions aloud.

When people talk about accommodations, they often talk about modifications as well. It's important to understand the difference between accommodations and modifications. Accommodations refer to how a student learns. Modifications refer to how much a student is expected to do or learn.

For example, some students may be given shorter writing assignments or fewer math problems. Other students may be provided books with a lower reading level than the ones that are assigned to their non-disabled peers.

Federal law allows schools to provide certain kinds of services that aren't strictly educational but are needed so that students can benefit from special education. These are called related services .

For example, a child who has dysgraphia or dyspraxia may need one-on-one sessions with an occupational therapist to improve handwriting skills. Other examples of related services include:

Social work to provide support to children and families and assist in developing positive behavioral interventions

Transportation to and from school and, in some cases, to and from extracurricular activities

Another term you may hear is "supplementary aids and services." These can include adapted equipment, such as a special cushion that can help kids with attention or sensory processing issues stay seated and focused for longer periods of time. Other examples of supplementary support include assistive technology and training for staff, students and parents.

The IEP is often described as the cornerstone of special education. That's because this legally binding document details a student's annual learning goals as well as the special services and supports the school will provide to help him meet those goals.

Before your child can receive special education services, you and the school must complete several steps. Here's how the process generally works:

1. Referral for evaluation: When your child is struggling and a learning or thinking difference is suspected, you or the school can ask for an evaluation. Your request may be accepted or denied. Either way, the school must explain its decision to you. The school can't evaluate your child unless you give written permission.

2. Evaluation: If the school agrees to evaluate your child, the school psychologist and other specialists will give your child various tests. They also may observe him in the classroom. The evaluation will identify whether your child has one of the 13 disabilities covered by the IDEA. The evaluation will also provide information about his educational needs.

Medical conditions such as ADHD are diagnosed by a physician or another medical professional. However, federal law doesn't necessarily require a medical evaluation to identify a child as having ADHD.[2] Some school districts have policies that allow school psychologists to diagnose ADHD as part of the special education evaluation. School psychologists need to have appropriate training to do this.

3. Determination of eligibility: After the evaluation, a special team from the school meets with you to discuss whether your child has a disability and if it affects his ability to learn. (If your child doesn't meet the requirements for an IEP, he may qualify for a 504 plan, which can provide many of the same accommodations and services.)

4. Developing the IEP: If your child is eligible for special education, his IEP team creates a plan to meet his needs. You are an equal member of this team and play a very important role. You know and understand your child better than anyone else on the team. Your insights can help ensure that your child receives the services and supports he needs to succeed in school.

There's a common saying in public schools: "Special education is not a place. It's a service." Take advantage of the resources that are available to your child. And remember that many of these resources are available to your child in a general education classroom.

If your child qualifies for special education, he'll receive individualized teaching and other key resources at no cost to you.

Related services may include one-on-one sessions with speech therapists and other kinds of specialists.

Two-thirds of students with learning disabilities spend 80 percent or more of their school day in general education classrooms.

About the Author

About the Author

The Understood Team is made up of passionate writers and editors. Many of them have kids who learn and think differently.

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Virginia Gryta, MS teaches and mentors students working toward master's degrees and certification in special education at Hunter College.

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Special education is tailored to meet the needs of students with disabilities. The services and supports one child receives may be very different from what another child receives. It's all about individualization. What's important is giving kids the resources they need to make progress in school.

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A very comprehensive site covering legal issues regarding parent and student rights under the IDEA.

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If your child struggles with attention, observe the environment carefully. It may be a sensory issue.

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Sensory processing disorder, or SPD, is often missed - particularly when ADHD is involved. Here's how you can recognize and treat a sensory sensitivity in your child.

An overwhelmed mom relaxes for a minute to give her daughter a hug.

What Is a Sensory Sensitivity?

Sensory sensitivities are a common but misunderstood problem that affects children's behavior, influencing the way they learn, move, relate to others, and feel about themselves.

Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is the inability to process information received through the senses. Sensory dysfunction happens in the central nervous system, at the "head" of which is the brain. When a glitch occurs, the brain cannot analyze, organize, and connect - or integrate - sensory messages.

The result of SPD is that the child cannot respond to sensory information and behave in a meaningful, consistent way. He may also have difficulty using sensory information to plan and organize what he needs to do. Thus, he may not learn easily.

Most parents, educators, and doctors have a hard time recognizing SPD. They mistake a child's behavior, low self-esteem, or reluctance to participate in childhood experiences for hyperactivity, learning disabilities, or emotional problems. Few people understand that those behaviors may stem from a poorly functioning nervous system.

Symptoms of a Sensory Sensitivity

Many SPD symptoms look like symptoms of other common disabilities. Indeed, Patricia S. Lemer, M.Ed., N.C.C., says that so many symptoms overlap that it is difficult to tell one condition from another. If a child is inattentive and can't sustain attention in tasks or play activities, he may have SPD. If a child is hyperactive and impulsive, he, too, may have SPD.
[Take This Test: Sensory Processing Disorder in Children]
But might something else be going on? Yes, indeed. Alternative diagnoses might be:

ADHD

learning-related visual problems

allergies

nutritional or vitamin deficiencies

behaving like a normal child

How can one tell the difference between SPD, ADHD, and learning disabilities? The red flags of SPD are a child's unusual responses to touching and being touched, and to moving or being moved. Some children have only SPD; some have ADHD; some have SPD and learning disabilities. Some have a combination of all three.

Unfortunately, SPD symptoms are often misinterpreted as psychological problems. These may develop if the underlying cause of SPD is not recognized or addressed early. The inability to cope with emotional, physical, and social challenges is often present by the age of three or four if intervention has not yet begun.

SPD and ADHD may both affect an out-of-sync child. Neurological problems are on a continuum: The more difficulty a child has in one area, the more difficulty he is likely to have in others. Careful analysis of a child's behavior is necessary to determine that he has SPD and not ADHD, and treatment for the two problems differs.

Treating a Sensory Sensitivity

Treatment for ADHD involves behavior management and stimulant medication. Medication can help the child with ADHD, but does not make SPD go away. Occupational therapy that focuses on sensory integration and recreational activities that strengthen basic sensory and motor skills help a child with SPD.
[How to Treat Sensory Processing Disorder in Children]
If you are pretty certain that your child has a sensory sensitivity and you want to locate an occupational therapist to evaluate or to screen your child, there are several options: the occupational therapy department of your local children's hospital; private practitioners in your area listed online; the American Occupational Therapy Association ( aota.org); or the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation ( spdfoundation.net).

Managing a Sensory Sensitivity

You may be asking: Is my child's development out of my hands? Will my child become an out-of-sync adult? Not necessarily. Your child has a good chance of becoming a competent, self-regulating, smoothly functioning grownup, if he or she receives understanding, support, and early intervention.

Occupational therapy is the first-line treatment for SPD. An occupational therapist improves the functioning of a person's nervous system, which may be damaged, as in an accident victim, or may be inefficient, as in a child whose behavior is ineffective and inappropriate.

Young children respond well to early intervention because their central nervous systems are still flexible, or "plastic." As children grow, it is harder to improve their neurological functioning because their brains are less malleable and their reactions to sensations are more established.

For a child with severe dysfunction, treatment is crucial. For the child with moderate or even mild dysfunction, treatment can make a wonderful difference.

It helps the child process all his senses, so they work together.

When the child actively engages in activities that provide the intensity, duration, and quality of sensation that his central nervous system craves, his behavior improves. Adaptive
behavior leads to better sensory integration. As a result, perceptions, learning, competence, and self-confidence improve.

It helps the child now, when he needs the assistance to function smoothly.

Treatment helps him build a strong foundation for the future when life will be more demanding and complex. A child does not grow out of SPD, but grows into it.

It helps the child develop social skills.

The out-of-sync child lacks the skills to play - and play is every child's primary occupation. Without treatment, SPD interferes with a child's friendships.

It gives the child the tools to become a more efficient learner.

It improves the child's emotional well-being.

A child who believes she is incompetent will become an adult with low self-esteem.

It improves family relationships.

As a child responds to sensory challenges with more self-control, home life becomes more pleasant.

Most children with SPD improve when their parents take action. The journey may be long. It may be expensive. It will be frustrating at times. But the journey will also be wonderful and exciting, as you begin to free your child from the prison of SPD.
[Download This Overview of Sensory Processing Disorder]
From The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder, by CAROL STOCK KRANOWITZ, M.A. Published by arrangement with Perigee Books, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Copyright © 2005 by Skylight Press and Carol Stock Kranowitz.

Updated on June 11, 2020

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When a Sensory Sensitivity Throws Your Child Out of Sync

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Sensory processing disorder, or SPD, is often missed - particularly when ADHD is involved. Here's how you can recognize and treat a sensory sensitivity in your child. Sensory sensitivities are a common but misunderstood problem that affects children's behavior, influencing the way they learn, move, relate to others, and feel about themselves.

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How to help your child with organization skills and strategies for home and school.

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How can you help your child with executive functioning challenges at home? Try these parenting strategies and tips to improve executive function.

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There are activities for EVERY subject and plenty for fun on this website. All offer practice in key areas.

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Free Educational Resources & Fun Activities | Families Together,

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updated 5/18/2020 Navigating COVID-19 When Your Child has a DisabilitySocial Stories and Visuals to Help Explain COVID-19 Helping Your Child Understand COVID-19 Teaching Transition Skills During COVID-19COVID-19 Share your ideas. Resources on this page KansasOnline Learning Supports for Kids with Disabilities

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Put your mask on first! In order to take care of our children, we need to be in good shape ourselves.

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Choose the Group That Meets Your Needs

If you're a parent of a child with special needs, you may feel isolated and alone. But believe it or not, there are about 6.6 million special needs children in American public schools, making up approximately 13% of the school population.﻿﻿ Assuming there's an average of two parents per child, that's around 13 million parents (give or take) of children with special needs in the United States.

With so many special needs families out there, fortunately there are many types of support and advocacy groups to join. Some groups are intended for emotional support while others are more pragmatic. Some are purely local, while others are national or even international in scope. Some are all about political advocacy while others provide buddy programs and outings.

You may or may not decide to join a support group. If you do, however, you have plenty of choices. Here are the different types of groups available; to find more options that might better suit your needs, just ask around or try a Google search.

Emotional Support Groups

There are many reasons why families with special needs might want emotional support. Discovering a child has special needs can be devastating and difficult.﻿﻿ Coping with special needs can be exhausting and overwhelming. Dealing with fallout from extended family can be trying. Handling financial worries can be paralyzing. When facing serious emotional difficulties, it's always helpful to meet others who have been there and done that. Sometimes another person's experiences or solutions can be more helpful than any therapist.

If time is short, or if you feel uncomfortable about sharing personal feelings with a local group, you can also consider online support groups.﻿﻿ These offer the support you may need with the added bonus of relative anonymity. Organizations like ​ Parent to Parent will actually match you with a parent mentor who has lived through similar experiences.​

School-Based Groups

Many school districts have parent groups dedicated specifically to families with special needs students. These groups are, obviously, not anonymous. Rather, their purpose is to discuss and advocate for the needs of special needs children within the local district. They may also invite speakers on relevant topics, including members of the district staff who may be able to answer parent concerns and questions.

School-based groups, while they are not necessarily therapeutic, can be extraordinarily helpful. Local parents will know how to address issues in the school, where to find the best therapists, what kinds of programs are available, and which are worth your time. Local parents are also natural friends, and their kids may become friends with your child.

On the downside, parents may not agree with one another about what the district should be offering or paying for. Parent A may feel strongly about inclusive classrooms while Parent B is advocating for specialized support programs. Parent C may have a child with mild issues who needs a learning specialist while Parent D is frustrated at the lack of appropriate educational tools for their physically disabled child.

Regional Groups

Some regions support organizations that provide resources, services, and support to parents in a particular geographic region. These are usually formal non-profits with at least some paid staff and volunteers.

An example of such a regional group is the Asperger/Autism Network (AANE) which serves families with autistic members in the Northeast. In addition to providing webinars, speakers, resources, and events, the organization also runs support group programs for a wide range of people.

There are support groups ranging from parents of teenage boys to parents of teenage girls, parents of children, parents of tweens, adults married to people with autism, single adults with autism-in short, if you have a family member with autism you'll find a face-to-face support group that is experiencing similar challenges and issues that you're facing.

The downside of a regional organization is that it may be a long distance from where you live. That means you may have to either commute to your support group or connect online. Fortunately virtual communication can make connection with some of these groups possible.

National Groups

National organizations are full-fledged, large-scale non-profits, but that doesn't mean they can't provide local support to parents as well. Some, like Easter Seals, Variety Club, and The Arc have local chapters offering a wide range of services to both parents and kids.

In some ways, getting connected with a national organization can be enormously helpful. Staff members are connected with and knowledgeable about everything from social security to adult services to housing, and they can help with finding services, funding, schools, housing, programs, and even employment for your child.

Of course, national organizations won't be able to give you the localized parent-to-parent insights or support you might get from a school or local group. So it may be in your best interest to mix and match.

Advocacy and Public Policy Groups

Advocacy and public policy groups aren't support groups in the typical sense of the word. While they help support the funding and programs that make daily life possible for many families, they're not as available to provide one-on-one advice, groups, or even programs. Some, however, do a lot more than just lobby and advocate. For example, The American Diabetes Foundation offers programs such as summer camps, as well as awareness events, local calendars, and help with local fundraising.﻿﻿﻿

Whatever your child's disability or disorder, you'll find a national organization dedicated to helping. You won't find local friends, per se, but you will find information, opportunities to vote for issues that concern you, fundraisers, and other ways to support the cause.

Online Groups for Specific Needs and Interests

You're starting a new course of therapy for your child, and you're looking for others walking the same road. Or you're going through a divorce and trying to figure out how to tell your special needs child. Or you want to talk in-depth about the ins and out of which educational methods are most effective for children with specific learning disabilities.

Chances are your local support group won't be of much help in that regard. Nor will your school group, or even your disorder-specific national organization. You need to find people who know exactly what you're talking about and who speak your language.

When you're looking for a very small, intense, focused group, your best option is to go online. That's where you'll find people from all over the country (and even around the world) who just happen to share your particular concern or direction. No matter what you need to talk about, chances are there's a group for you.

Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Health Care Services; Committee on Improving Health Outcomes for Children with Disabilities; Byers E, Valliere FR, Houtrow AJ, editors. Opportunities for Improving Programs and Services for Children with Disabilities. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2018.

2. Krahn GL, Walker DK, Correa-De-Araujo R. Persons With Disabilities as an Unrecognized Health Disparity Population. Am J Public Health. 2015;105 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S198-S206. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2014.302182

3. DeHoff BA, Staten LK, Rodgers RC, Denne SC. The Role of Online Social Support in Supporting and Educating Parents of Young Children With Special Health Care Needs in the United States: A Scoping Review. J Med Internet Res. 2016;18(12):e333. doi:10.2196/jmir.6722

4. American Diabetes Association. Discover the power of diabetes support.

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6 Ways to Find Support for Special Needs Parents

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Choose the Group That Meets Your Needs If you're a parent of a child with special needs, you may feel isolated and alone. But believe it or not, there are about 6.6 million special needs children in American public schools, making up approximately 13% of the school population.﻿﻿ Assuming there's an average of two parents per child, that's around 13 million parents (give or take) of children with special needs in the United States.

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Taking time alone to recharge is a tool.

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As a parent raising a child with a disability, you might find that "me time" is more fantasy than reality. Sure, you'd love some time to yourself, or one-on-one time with a spouse, partner, friend, or another child. But how can you find that perfect person to care for your child? And even then, can you trust someone else to provide just what your child needs?

Luckily, finding respite care - a well-deserved break from caregiving - with a skilled and caring person that you trust might be easier than you think. Read on for resources available to help you find quality, low-cost care.

Why You Need a Break

When your child has special needs, handing over responsibility can be a real challenge. You might feel as if you are the only person who can do the job, and doubt that anyone else could meet all of your child's needs. But remember, you're not superhuman. There's only so much you can give before you will feel mentally, emotionally, and physically drained. That's why it's a necessity - not a luxury - to take breaks from time to time.

When you take time off to recharge, you'll be able to give more and enjoy doing it. And your child will benefit as well. Kids learn that they can count on others for help. They can form new friendships, experience new environments or people, and have fun.

So, once you're ready to get help, how do you do it?

What's Available

The many types of respite care include:

a caregiver who comes to your home for a few hours daily, weekly, or as needed

drop-off day programs (at a school, health care facility, or faith-based or volunteer agency) that provide activities

daily or weekly respite programs offered by a community-based agency, host family, residential facility, or sleepaway camp

Another option that families enjoy is respite care offered through parent "co-ops." This is when families of kids with special needs take turns watching each other's kids. For example, you can take someone else's child for one day or evening a month, and that person can do the same for you. Support groups for families with your child's condition are a good place to meet other families.

You also might consider asking for help from extended family, friends, or neighbors, and giving them the training they need to care for your child.

Finding Local Care

Kids with special needs usually need care beyond what the average babysitter can provide. Referral services are available to help you find those skilled caregivers:

The Lifespan RespiteCare Program, a federally funded grant program, assists states with improving access to respite care and may provide financial assistance. The program is offered in many states and the District of Columbia. Contact the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center to see if there's a program in your state. If not, there might be aState Respite Coalition that can help.

Find private respite programs in your area through the ARCH National Respite Network. Tell them what kind of care you need and get a list of providers that may include visiting nurses, childcare centers, and sleepaway camps.

Other groups in your area that may offer respite care include United Cerebral Palsy, Easter Seals, and local chapters of The Arc.

Interview Caregivers

Once you've narrowed your search and decided on a person or program, do a telephone interview. Ask if caregivers have had background and reference checks. When interviewing possible caregivers, ask to meet them in person. Make a list of all your child's needs, from toileting to communicating, and make sure that the caregiver has the skills to handle each task. Watch how he or she interacts with your child.

Call the applicant's references and ask about the caregiver. Was he or she helpful? Were there things the caregiver did that they didn't like? Keep interviewing and asking questions until you find someone you feel truly comfortable with.

How to Pay for It

Respite care can be costly, but luckily there are programs out there to help. If your state has a Lifespan program, call and ask for information on financial aid. Most children with special needs qualify for home and community-based Medicaid waivers that can cover the cost of respite care. Many programs have waiting lists for the waivers, so it's important to apply early.

A few states get funds through Title 5 block grants, which is money from a federal program that's designed to help children and families with special needs. The ARCH National Respite Network or your state's Family to Family Health Information Center or state Family Voices chapter might be able to put you in touch with this program.

Some members of the military qualify for respite care as part of the childcare benefit. For example, the Navy's Exceptional Family Member Program grants 40 hours of respite care per month to families caring for children with special needs. For details, visit Child Care Aware of America or TRICARE, which provides health benefits for active-duty service members.

Finding quality respite care at a cost you can afford might take a little time. But once you do, you'll wonder how you ever managed without it. Having an extra set of hands so that you can run errands, go to an appointment, or just take a break to do something nice for yourself will work wonders for your mental health.

And when you're happier, you'll have more energy to do the things you need to do for your child and family - and that makes everyone happy./p>

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finding respite care for your child with special needs

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Finding Respite Care for Your Child With Special Needs

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As a parent raising a child with a disability, you might find that "me time" is more fantasy than reality. Sure, you'd love some time to yourself, or one-on-one time with a spouse, partner, friend, or another child. But how can you find that perfect person to care for your child?

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Simple, short breathing activities can keep everyone in the house grounded and calm.

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Teaching kids to use these visual breathing exercises can help them learn to use breath effectively.

Everyone now knows how important it is to teach children to identify their emotions and learn how to express them appropriately. Children who are able to regulate their emotions are happier and more successful in life.

It is widely accepted that breathing exercises are one of the most effective ways to help both kids and adults calm down. Breathing is frequently used in health settings to reduce stress and anxiety. But telling your child to "take a deep breath" in the midst of a meltdown is unlikely to calm him down because most children don't know "how to take a deep breath." Teaching kids to use visual breathing exercises can help them learn to use breath effectively.

Three breathing exercises that work with kids

Belly breathing

Belly breathing (also known as deep breathing, abdominal breathing, or diaphragmatic breathing) has been proven to be highly effective both as a calm-down strategy and for health reasons.

According to the Counseling Center of the University of Texas, belly breathing "is a way of interrupting the 'fight or flight' response and triggering the body's normal relaxation response."

How to make belly breathing work with your child:

Ask your child to lie on his back.

Ask him to close his eyes and breathe normally while paying attention to all the parts of his body that move when he breathes.

Ask him to place one hand on his upper chest and the other on his stomach.

Tell your child to inhale through the nose and into his abdomen. The hand on his stomach should move upwards and the one on his chest should remain still.

Tell him to inhale for a count of four, then hold it in for a count of four.

Ask your child to exhale. Tell him to push out the air from his stomach. The hand placed on his stomach will move downwards.

Repeat the exercise for five to 10 minutes or until your child feels relaxed.

Use feathers

Using feathers is an awesome way to teach your child to breathe.

Collect different feathers. Feathers come in many colors and sizes so this can also be a fun activity for your child.

Ask your child to choose one feather and hold it in her hand.

Ask her to take in a deep breath. To help her learn about deep breathing, ask her to put her hand on her abdomen and tell her that when she breathes in, her breath will push her hand upwards. Tell her to inhale for a count of four, then hold her breath for a count of four.

Ask her to exhale slowly through the nose. Tell her that the feather should flutter as she breathes out.

Repeat the exercise for five to 10 minutes or until your child feels relaxed.

An alternative way to use feathers is to have your child pick a feather and place in on a flat surface (for example, a table). When she breathes out, the feather should move across the table.

Use flowers

Flowers are a great way to teach kids about breathing and are an easy way to help your child practice regularly because they're easily available.

Ask your child to choose a flower.

Tell him to breathe in through his nose for a count of four and smell the flower, then hold his breath for a count of four.

Ask him to breathe out through the mouth.

Repeat the exercise for five to 10 minutes or until your child feels relaxed.

You can also tell your child to visualize an imaginary flower ("Imagine smelling your favorite flower").

A few things should be kept in mind when teaching your child to use breathing as a calm-down strategy

Practice during calm moments rather than when she's upset.

Learn to identify your child's triggers so that you can propose breathing exercises before things get out of hand. It's always easier to deal with strong emotions before they get too overwhelming.

Practice by making use of nature. For example, make a habit of asking your children to stop and smell the flowers or to appreciate other things they like.

What breathing exercise works for your kids? Please let us know in the comments section.

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3 Breathing Exercises To Calm Kids of All Ages

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Teaching kids to use these visual breathing exercises can help them learn to use breath effectively. Everyone now knows how important it is to teach children to identify their emotions and learn how to express them appropriately. Children who are able to regulate their emotions are happier and more successful in life.

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Commonsense.org's curated list of reviewed apps to help kids of all ages recognize and manage feelings, large and small.

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Top Picks

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Daniel Tiger's Grr-ific Feelings

Songs and activities help kids express, recognize, understand emotions

Bottom line: Daniel Tiger and his friends present excellent examples for kids who are just learning healthy emotional expression.

Grades: Pre-K–K Price: $2.99

Bouncy the People Trainer

Thorough, thoughtful multimedia social-emotional learning experience

Bottom line: Important info for all kids is especially helpful for at-risk students.

Grades: Pre-K–1 Price: Free

Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame

Sesame Street winner teaches kids how to keep calm and carry on

Bottom line: Highly effective tool for whole-class instruction or one-on-one intervention.

Grades: Pre-K–1 Price: Free

Zoo Academy

Uncage compassion and learn social-emotional awareness with a cast of cute zoo animals

Bottom line: Interactive program with practice activities teaches SEL to young students.

Peekapak

Complete SEL units in a neat and tidy package

Bottom line: Detailed social and emotional learning lessons provide teachers with almost everything they'll need to spark positive character development and reflection in their students.

Grades: Pre-K–5 Price: Free, Paid

QuaverSEL

Shake up SEL lessons with music and movement

Bottom line: Fun for students, easy for teachers, QuaverSEL uses the power of music to boost social and emotional learning.

Grades: Pre-K–5 Price: Free to try, Paid

Calm

Relaxing and serene app helps incorporate peace into daily life

Bottom line: If you're looking for a captivating app to teach relaxation and calming skills to students, Calm is an essential tool to add to your toolbox.

Grades: Pre-K–12 Price: Free, Free to try, Paid

Touch and Learn - Emotions

Free app helps kids identify emotions, recognize body language

Bottom line: Bridges the gap between feeling or witnessing emotions and using words to describe them.

Wisdom: The World of Emotions

Quirky game helps kids recognize and regulate anger in self and others

Bottom line: If they can get through the confusing bits, students will be able to identify, label, and perhaps manage strong feelings of anger or frustration.

Grades: K–3 Price: Free to try

Emotional ABCs Classroom

Strong learning approach to mastering SEL competencies

Bottom line: Excellent program for teaching young kids emotion identification, regulation, and social relationships.

Grades: K–4 Price: Free, Paid

Hopster Saturday Club: Empathy

Explore range of emotions to help kids ID feelings and spark discussion

Bottom line: This could be a fun introduction to talking about a variety of emotions and how to recognize them in others.

AIM Buddy Project

Well-organized SEL program pairs older and younger students for discussion

Bottom line: The AIM Buddy Project is an enjoyable, effective program for teaching SEL concepts and making elementary students feel more connected with each other.

Mindful Powers

Care for a cute creature to practice mindfulness and self-control

Bottom line: Meditation lessons and visual timers act as decent supplemental activities for introducing SEL skills.

Grades: K–5 Price: Free to try, Paid

Zoo U

Research-based social game has terrific assessment potential

Bottom line: A powerful and focused social problem-solving game designed to reach kids who need direct instruction.

Grades: K–5 Price: Free to try

Mind Yeti

Calming program with cute characters helps center kids

Bottom line: If you're someone who needs mindfulness-based approaches, Mind Yeti's characters could be the right fit.

Grades: K–8 Price: $499/year per school

Insight Timer

Popular mindfulness app offers daily, guru-guided meditation practice

Bottom line: This expert-guided SEL tool can help students -- and teachers -- build lifelong habits for relaxation, reflection, and focus.

Grades: K–12 Price: Free, Paid

Empatico

Connect with classrooms around the world using built-in activities

Bottom line: Teachers will find almost everything they need to create the opportunity for meaningful exchanges with students from faraway places.

YouHue

Basic mood journal can help kids build self-awareness

Bottom line: Simple tool for a quick, daily check-in on students' emotions.

Me: A Kid's Diary

Unique take on self-exploration relies on prompts to guide reflection

Bottom line: With plenty of ways to express and document their thoughts and more, this app can help students learn something new about themselves.

Better World Ed

Wordless videos link core subjects, SEL; connect students to the world

Bottom line: If your school or home can afford it, Better World Ed is a well-done interdisciplinary curriculum that will expand students' global view.

Grades: 2–10 Price: Free to try

Hall of Heroes

Responsive game helps students prepare for transition to middle school

Bottom line: Wonderful and fun social-interaction game designed to teach cooperation and friendship skills needed for middle school and beyond.

Grades: 5–8 Price: Free to try, Paid

Character Playbook

Realistic comic book-style stories help build healthy relationships

Bottom line: A valuable series of modules to get kids thinking about how their choices help build strong character.

The Mood Meter

Well-designed tool encourages kids to reflect on and manage emotions

Bottom line: Appealing, thought-provoking tool builds emotional intelligence.

Calm Harm - Manages Self Harm

Immediate help for teens struggling with harmful urges

Bottom line: Powerful therapeutic tool teaches positive coping skills and mental wellness.

Smiling Mind

Quick and easy meditation practice for busy classroom lives

Bottom line: This easy-to-follow meditation program can help reduce stress and support social and emotional learning.

Mitra

Insightful, minimalist app gets students tracking emotions and values

Bottom line: A practical tool to use in combination with discussion about emotional intelligence and character development.

Please Knock on My Door

Effective and affecting game about dealing with depression

Bottom line: A slow-paced SEL game for helping students understand the nuances of managing mental health.

Florence

Incredibly relatable story about navigating adult love and life

Bottom line: This heartwarming game helps kids empathize with the highs and lows of romantic relationships.

Grades: 10–12 Price: Paid

Get tips for using these tools in the classroom

See related resources

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Emotional Intelligence Apps and Games | Common Sense Education

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Help students identify and manage their emotions. Explore this Emotional Intelligence Apps and Games Top Picks list of 29 tools curated by Common Sense Education editors to find relevant and engaging edtech solutions for your classroom.

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This doesn't have to be an expensive watch. You can program a smart phone to do the same thing.

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revibe connect: vibration reminder wristband - anti-distraction

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Revibe Connect: Vibration Reminder Wristband - Anti-Distraction, Educational Technology, Timer Tool

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Amazon.com : Revibe Connect: Vibration Reminder Wristband - Anti-Distraction, Educational Technology, Timer Tool : Office Products

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Stimtastic Chewable Jewelry, Stim Toys and Fidgets

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Stimtastic is affordable stim toys, chewable jewelry and fidgets for Autistic adults and teens (and kids too!). Owned by an Autistic person, Stimtastic celebrates stimming as a natural part of life on the spectrum.

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eBooks, audio books, videos, actual books, activities, technology...endless online opportunities for you and your child and they are all free.