The word “peanuts” has become something of a “dirty word” for people who work with kids. In this article, we’re going to talk about how a simple peanut based exercise can help kids to calm down. Whether they’re anxious, stressed out or angry, the Peanut Brittle to Peanut Butter relaxation technique is a fun way for kids to remember how to calm down.
Here’s how it works:
- Have the child inhale and stiffen their body like PEANUT BRITTLE. Encourage them to squeeze their muscles, clench their fists, curl their toes, push their chest out and contract the muscles in their face.
- Have them hold their breath and that position for five seconds.
- Now, tell them to exhale their breath and let everything go soft like PEANUT BUTTER.
- Repeat as neccessary.
Like deep breathing, the process of going from tense to relaxed helps kids to let go of the intense emotions they are feeling.
Several years ago, I had a child in our 
