Sometimes when a child is feeling stressed or anxious, they just want a big hug, but at the same time they don’t want to be touched. So how can you help them? Have you ever heard of or tried weighted blankets? It feels like a comforting hug and can help a child feel secure.
Weighted blankets have been shown to help children with Autism, ADHD, anxiety, and those who have difficulty sleeping. When a child is stressed or anxious the pressure added by weighted blankets can help reduce their heart rate helping them find their calm zone.
There are a couple different ways you can incorporate a weighted blanket, depending on the needs of the child. Children who have chronic anxiety or a sleep disorder may benefit from using one every night for bed.
Other children may find it useful to use it in small time frames during the day to help them work through their stress and anxiety.
Having a weighted blanket available in a classroom’s calming zone may help reduce the length of time a child spends there as the blanket helps lower their heart rate.
When picking a weighted blanket keep in mind the if should be 5 – 10% of the child’s body weight (not recommended for infants, toddlers or children with sleep apnea).
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