In my school a lot of time is spent teaching our students how to develop self-care and coping skills. We are constantly trying to come up with new ideas for the kids and figure out how to help them remember to take advantage of these ideas when we are not around.

One way we have found is by using a "self care" or "coping skills" jar. In the jar are a bunch of craft sticks with different self care or coping skill ideas. Suggestions the kids can use on their own, particularly when they're having trouble coming up with ideas.

Students may have their own set of self care craft sticks or there may be larger containers in classrooms and common areas filled with ideas and options.

Supplies

Jar or container (big enough to hold craft sticks)

20+ craft sticks

Washi tape, glue, glitter, etc.

Permanent Markers

Step 1: Gather Materials

We use a variety of containers, mostly from $1 store, but I like see through jars the best.

I have a bunch of decorative tapes from my mother, glue, glitter, markers, and all kinds of embellishments for the craft sticks.

When I have students making their own jars, I offer a wide variety of art/decorative materials so they will to refer back to the different options for self care/coping skills.

Step 2: Ideas

When I do this activity with students, we brain storm ideas as a group and I write them down on the board. The kids will also look on Pinterest or think about preferred activities and things that make them happy.

Keep things simple. One idea is listed on each craft stick.

I keep a large container filled with a variety of ideas, including some the kids might not have access to outside of my classroom like playing with the class gecko or using sensory integration tools.

Sample Movement Activities:

-Take a walk

-Yoga

-Pushups/situps

-Shoot 25 hoops

-Short hike

-Balance on a giant ball

-Gardening

-Chew gum

Sample Olfactory Ideas

-Use scented lotion

-Use a scented rice bag

-Essential Oils

Sample Taste Ideas

-Have some tea/coffee

-Eat a popsicle (the clinicians at my school frequently suggest snacks that are really cold, really sour/tart etc. to increase sensations.)

-Eat a piece of hard candy (bitter, sour, tart, minty).

-Eat a piece of lemon.

Sample Touch Ideas

-Pop bubble wrap

-Make a stress ball with flour/sand and a balloon

-Use lotion

-Pet an animal (as good for them as it is for you)

-Use a weighted blanket, pillow, toy, etc.

-Silly Putty or Magic Sand

Sample Auditory Ideas

-Listen to calming music

-White noise machine

-Sit outside and listen for birds

Sample Visual Ideas

-Read a short story

-Watch fish (I find aquarium/saltwater fish EXTREMELY relaxing to watch. If you can't get to your local aquarium, any shop with saltwater fish will work.)

-Bird watch

Step 3: Decorate

To make things fun, we decorate the sticks. Some like to color code and separate between self-care and coping skills. Others like to categorize by senses (see, touch taste, smell, hear) or by physical or non-physical options. Sometimes self-care means shooting a basketball for 5-10 minutes.