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
Emotional regulation and awareness.
Empowering, self care.
Focussing the mind on the breath while the fingers sense the beads.
Creativity, small motor skills.
Materials Needed
Beads-assorted colours. I use wooden beads that are 10mm (3/8") in diameter.
The string is 10 lb. hemp cord purchased from Michael’s. (Not an affiliate).
Key ring with plastic clip-I got mine from my local hardware store. Also check your favourite Dollar Store.
Scissors.
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.
How to use your Calm Down Keychain
Use it as a Reminder Tool to check in and notice what you’re feeling, and see if a calming breath is needed.
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.