Self Regulation Tips For Tamariki

Breathe Like a Balloon Puku
Place your hands on your puku (tummy).
Breathe in slowly through your nose and feel your puku rise like a balloon.
Breathe out through your mouth and feel it flatten.
Repeat slowly 3–5 times.

🧸 Create a Calm-Down Space
Choose a quiet spot in the house or classroom.
Add some cushions, soft toys, books, or calming items.
Use it when you need a break or feel overwhelmed.
It’s not a punishment—it’s a safe space.

💬 Name the Feeling
“It sounds like you’re feeling angry.”
“That made you really excited!”
Naming emotions helps tamariki understand and manage them.
It also helps them feel seen and supported.

👀 Try the ‘5-4-3-2-1’ Grounding Game

‍Great for calming anxiety or big emotions:

– 5 things you can see
‍– 4 things you can touch
‍– 3 things you can hear
‍– 2 things you can smell
‍– 1 thing you can taste