- Sudden crying or screaming in class
- Loud arguments after conflicts with peers
- Emotional outbursts when parents say “no”
- Frustration when unable to express due to limited language skills
These reactions indicate a lack of self-regulation. For young children, simply learning to ‘wait a moment’ is a valuable skill. The settling process of the jar acts as a visual ‘calm-down timer’—a gentle psychological guide.
- Clear plastic or glass bottle with lid
- Warm water
- Shampoo or clear glue (for thickness)
- Glitter/sequins (recommended calming colors: blue, purple, silver)
- Optional: Food coloring for visual effect
Steps:
- Fill the bottle with warm water up to 3/4 full;
- Add a suitable amount of shampoo or glue, stir well;
- Add a small amount of glitter and sequins (too much can slow settling);
- Add food coloring if desired;
- Tighten the lid and seal it (tape or hot glue recommended to prevent leaks).
- Classroom Calm-Down Corner: When a student becomes emotionally agitated, the teacher can guide them to the calm-down corner to quietly observe the jar until the glitter settles.
- Emotional Outbursts at Home: When a child cries or throws a tantrum at home, parents can gently say, “Let’s watch how the glitter in the jar calms down.”
- Daily Emotional Practice: Use the jar as a mindfulness tool during morning meetings or bedtime routines to guide deep breathing exercises.
我们一起看一看里面发生了什么。
Let’s watch what’s happening inside the bottle.
你现在准备好说说刚才发生什么了吗？
Are you ready to talk about what happened?
就像这些亮片一样，我们的心也会慢慢安静下来。
Just like this glitter, our hearts can settle down too.
- Externalizing emotions – Helps children turn abstract emotions into observable objects
- Waiting to calm down – Cultivates delayed gratification and impulse control
- Breath-linked focus – Establishes a “breathe–observe–calm” neural pathway
- Self-regulation training – Lays the foundation for SEL (Social Emotional Learning) programs
Research Support:
Child psychology studies show that Visual Meditation Toolscan effectively reduce emotional fluctuations, enhance attention, and promote the development of the prefrontal cortex (responsible for self-control and decision-making).
The “Calm Down Jar” is not just a fun little toy—it’s a gentle psychological intervention. It tells children: “It’s okay to feel emotions. We can choose a way to gently let them go.”
If we help children understand and regulate their emotions from an early age, they will develop stronger inner resilience in relationships, learning, and everyday life.
Resource Links:
Explore our Calm Down Jar visual guide, a colorful, step-by-step poster to help bring moments of stress back to calm.
Learn more about the purpose, research, and how-tos behind the calm down jar.
