Calm Down Keychain

Age Range: 7 and up. 

For younger children choose age appropriate beads with larger holes and use thicker string. Not suitable for children 3 and under.

 

Click the button ABOVE and download the instructions to your device for LONGTERM ACCESS

 

Overview & Purpose

  • Beaded keychains are easy and fun for both adults and children to make. Just like beaded bracelets, they can be a great way to connect to your favourite calm colours and can be used as a calm down tool. You can attach it to a pencil case, backpack, purse or keys.

  • Use it as a gentle reminder to check in with your breath when strong emotions or situations arise.

  • Give your body and mind a little break so it can reset and recover. Touch or count each bead while paying attention to SLOWLY and DEEPLY breathing in and out.

Education Goals

  1. Emotional regulation and awareness.

  2. Empowering, self care.

  3. Focussing the mind on the breath while the fingers sense the beads.

  4. Creativity, small motor skills.

Materials Needed

  1. Beads-assorted colours. I use wooden beads that are 10mm (3/8") in diameter.

  2. The string is 10 lb. hemp cord purchased from Michael’s. (Not an affiliate).

  3. Key ring with plastic clip-I got mine from my local hardware store. Also check your favourite Dollar Store.

  4. Scissors.

  5. Small towel or fabric so your beads don’t roll away.

 

How to Make a Calm Keychain

1. Place your towel in front of you-this is your work area and keeps the beads from rolling everywhere. Choose your beads, making sure that two layers of your string can fit through the hole. I used 9 beads in my example. 

2. Measure and cut about a 20” piece of string, cord, thick elastic cord, shoelace or hemp. Fold it in half and tie it around your key ring, laynard etc.

3. Thread one of the strings through the first bead from one side (left to right) and then take the second string and thread back through the same bead (right to left) from the other side.

4. Thread the next beads in the same way.

5. Pull on both strings to slide each bead up to the top.

6. Use all one colour, a mix, or make a pattern-it’s up to you. Have fun.

7. Final Bead. Thread the final bead as above but do not slide it up to touch the previous bead. Leave a space that’s at least a finger width, or 1 to 2 times the size of the bead.

8. Final Tying. Take the two strings and tie a final double knot so the bead won’t come off. Be sure to keep the space above the final bead while you make the final knot. You can also add a tassel here if you would like. I didn’t do that.

9. Try sliding the beads down to the bottom so there’s a space at the top. Then, try the reverse and slide each bead back up to the top. You’ll notice that wherever you stop the beads will ‘lock’ and stay where you left them. Great for counting a calm breath (see below).

How to use your Calm Down Keychain

  1. Use it as a Reminder Tool to check in and notice what you’re feeling, and see if a calming breath is needed.

  2. Use it as a calm down tool with calm breathing. See below:

First-Practise the Slow Calm Belly Breath.

With your hands on your belly try to feel your tummy expand out as you breath in and flatten as you exhale. Another way to practise is to feel your lower ribs expand out. Let your mind follow the air moving from the tip of your nose and down deep into the body. Notice it turn around and flow back out. Remember to always inhale and exhale SLOWLY so you don’t feel dizzy or lightheaded and don’t force it. Go back to your own calm breathing any time.

Next-Breathe with your Calm Down Keychain.

While holding your keychain:  touch or slide each bead as you pay attention to your breath. Breathe in and breathe out a CALM feeling.

Follow your breath with your mind. Remember to go SLOWLY and gently. Continue until all the beads have been moved to the top end and repeat, if you need to, by moving all the beads down to the bottom end. Just try a few beads to start and go by your own breathing rhythm.

There you go. You’ve just tried a calm down technique that can help you get on with your day. Use it before a test or presentation or anytime you feel that you might need a calm down. You can use it anywhere you carry your keychain, or better yet make more than one!

Your body will feel calmer, you will be able to think more clearly and your brain will thank you.