I created this worry machine a while ago for World Book Day, setting children the task of creating one for themselves. The idea is to draw a worry machine with several places where coping strategies can be put into the machine so that the worry gets ‘processed’ and the metaphorical, ‘calm juice’ comes out of the other end from where the worry was put in.
The coping strategies I offered children for them to select from included the following:
Are there any questions you can ask about the situation that’s bothering you as often having more information helps? | Talk to someone who listens well, about your worry. | Picture the worry getting tiny and disappearing into the distance. |
Sit quietly and focus on breathing and imagine a calming green mist swirling around you. | Listen to some music you like. | Think of a friend who probably would not have this worry and imagine being them. |
Think of another time you worried and it all turned out just fine! | Allow ten minutes of worrying and then tell yourself STOP. | Write down your worries and then screw them up. |
Go for a fast walk or do lots of star jumps if you can’t get outside. | Take three deep breaths every time the worry pops into your head. | Search inside your body and notice where you are feeling the worry. |
Ask yourself if there’s anything you can actually do to help sort out what you are worrying about. | Remember you can’t always know what will happen in the future but that is fine. | Think of a time in the future when you won’t be worrying about this worry. |
…just in case any of you want to have a go.
Of course we should never assume children have not worked out their own self-soothing strategies, so they should be given the opportunity to include any of their own ideas too,