A grounding exercise used widely in child therapy: five quick sensory steps that interrupt an emotional spiral by pulling a child's attention into the present moment. No talking about feelings required until it's over.
How to do it
- 1In a quiet, low voice: 'Find five things you can see right now.' Wait for all five.
- 2'Now four things you can touch. Touch each one.' Pause between each count.
- 3'Three things you can hear. Be very still.' Let the quiet happen.
- 4'Two things you can smell. One thing you can taste.' Done. No debrief needed.
Variations
- If they resist and won't sit still, just step back. Often children calm themselves once an adult stops trying to manage them.
- End with: 'We're done. You found everything. Well done.' The completed sensory cycle is the exit.
💡 Parent tip
Your voice does most of the work. Make it slower and quieter than theirs. The pause between each sense is where the calming actually happens. Don't rush through it.
What your child develops
- Emotional regulation through sensory anchoring
- Present-moment awareness — a skill that compounds with practice
- A portable self-calming tool children can use independently by around age 6
More for “Stuck inside”
See allThe World Record Attempts
Five at-home world record challenges. The child attempts each, records the result, and tries to beat it.
Ages 6–1060–90 min
Tower and Topple
Stack it up, knock it down, and do it again - the oldest game in the world still works.
Ages 1–35–15 minHousehold items
Bubble Wrap Stomp
A sheet of bubble wrap on the floor, and every step becomes a tiny satisfying explosion underfoot.
Ages 1–45–15 minHousehold items