Calm-Down Glitter Bottle

What you need

• a clear plastic bottle with a lid
• water
• a spoonful of glitter and a drop of food colouring, for the glitter bottle
• sticky tape

How to do it

1. Help your child fill the bottle most of the way with water, staying beside them while the water is out, then spoon in the glitter and add a drop of colour.
2. Glue the lid on yourself and tape round it so it can never come undone.
3. Shake it hard, then put it down and watch the glitter swirl and fall together.
4. Breathe slowly while it settles, in through the nose and out through the mouth, until the last bit of glitter lands.

Why it matters

Glitter takes its time to settle, which gives them a reason to sit still and breathe slowly, and because they made the bottle, it's theirs to reach for.

What they're learning

Slow breathing

In and out while the glitter falls.

Watching and waiting

Staying still until the last bit lands.

Pouring carefully

Filling a bottle without it overflowing.

What to look for

Notice them shaking the bottle on their own when they want a quiet minute.

A tip

The lid stays glued on, and the bottle is for watching, not opening. A bottle with straight sides shows the glitter best.

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