How to Use Drain in the Laundry Room

Active calming is an essential life skill, the key to the Power of Perception, and the prerequisite for self-regulation. The four core calming activities used in Conscious Discipline are S.T.A.R., Balloon, Pretzel and Drain.

The Drain is depicted as a faucet draining the stress out of the body. Stretch your arms out in front of you. Squinch up your face, shrug your shoulders up toward your ears and squeeze your fists tightly. Take a deep breath in through your nose. Now exhale through your mouth, relaxing your muscles, and letting all the stress and tightness drain out of your body along with the air.

Sophie’s mom and dad incorporate the Drain and other active calming techniques into their daily activities. They’ve also placed printouts of the free downloadable Safe Place Breathing Icons from the Free Resources Toolkit around the house to help everyone remember to breathe. The more we model, teach, post and practice these techniques with children, the more easily they will be able to access them during times of distress.