emotional contagion

Tense, Release, Repeat: A Playful Guide to Kids’ Relaxation

Tense, Release, Repeat: A Playful Guide to Kids’ Relaxation

Progressive muscle relaxation isn’t just for adults—it can be a playful and powerful way to help kids manage stress, too. By turning relaxation into games—like blowing bubbles with slow breaths, dancing like stiff robots and floppy noodles, or squeezing toes in the mud—we can teach children how to notice the difference between tension and calm. The best part? When parents join in, kids don’t just learn the skill—they feel the calm spread through the whole family.