Using The BOUNCE Approach®
What’s happening
- A calm box is a collection of tools and activities a child can use when they feel dysregulated, anxious, or overwhelmed.
- It offers choice, predictability, and sensory support — helping children return to their Window of Tolerance.
- Calm boxes work best when personalised and built with the child, so they feel ownership and safety.
- Energy battery impact: a calm box reduces energy drain by providing ready-to-use strategies for self-regulation.
The BOUNCE Approach®
🖤 B — Body and Nervous System (Inside Tool)
- Include items for calming the body: breathing cards, stress ball, weighted lap pad, or a smooth stone.
- Add movement prompts (e.g., wall push-ups, yoga cards) for releasing tension.
❤️ O — Openness to Connection and Attachment (In-Between Tool)
- Build the box together — co-creating strengthens trust.
- Add a photo, affirmation, or note from a safe adult for connection.
🧡 U — Understanding Sensory Differences (Outside Tool)
- Balance calming and energising sensory items — e.g., fidgets, scented stickers, textured fabrics, or headphones.
- Tailor items to sensory preferences (soft vs firm, quiet vs rhythmic).
💚 N — Navigating Emotions (Inside Tool)
- Add visuals: emotion cards, colour system charts, or “parts language” prompts (“A part of me feels…”).
- Include drawing pads or Play-Doh for non-verbal expression.
💙 C — Connection to Self and Others (In-Between Tool)
- Use the box as a bridge: children can invite a trusted adult to join them in an activity.
- Encourage reflection after use: “Which item helped your battery recharge?”
💜 E — Esteem and Identity (Inside Tool)
- Personalise with the child’s favourite colours, characters, or affirmations.
- Celebrate when they use the box to regulate: “You knew what your body needed — that shows strength.”
Adult Focus:
- A calm box is not a “punishment corner” — it’s a tool for safety and regulation.
- Keep items low-cost, replaceable, and accessible.
- Model using your own “adult calm kit” to normalise regulation strategies.
Next Steps
- Explore further learning:
- Multi-Sensory Toolkits — creating personalised sensory resources for regulation.
- Sensory Circuits — daily movement breaks that complement calm box tools.
- Play-Doh Feelings — tactile activities for safe emotional expression.
- Family Coaching: Work with us to design home calm boxes and routines for daily regulation. Click here
- Join the Learning Portal: Access 80+ trainings and printable tools, including calm box item lists, visual cards, and regulation guides. Click here
👉 A calm box isn’t about fixing behaviour — it’s about giving children safe, shame-free tools to feel grounded and recharge their energy batteries.
