Calming Cozy Cocoon

This calming cozy cocoon activity is as relaxing as it sounds, and is so incredibly easy to do that you may be kicking yourself for not having thought of it sooner. The concept of being in a cozy cocoon is simple: the tightness and deep pressure of the blanket provides a sense of calmness and security for your child. If you’re wanting your child to feel even safer in their cocoon, you could purchase a custom photo blanket and they can wrap up cozy IN you.

Many children who are sensory seekers or who are feeling anxious need deep tactile pressure for bodily reassurance so that they feel less “out of control” and calmer. This technique works great with children who are constantly searching for sensory experiences such as fidgeting, making noises, rocking, or spinning because the blanket provides sensory feedback in a calm, controlled manner. It also works great for any child feeling anxious as the deep pressure has a calming effect on the body, whether sensory issues are present or not.

Try out the calming, cozy cocoon before :

Bedtime

School

Homework

Doctor’s appointments

Traveling to unfamiliar places/events

Any other situation that causes your child additional anxiety or stress

How to use it:

1. Lay a large blanket out flat on the floor and make sure its away from walls and other furniture (and there’s no little toys underneath the blanket)

2.Have your child lay across the short edge of the blanket with their head OUT from underneath the blanket. Keep their arms to the side, making sure to leave a few inches of blanket out on the edge.

3. Take the extra inches on the side of the blanket to start SLOWLY rolling your child tightly in the blanket

(LEAVE THEIR HEAD OUT OF THE BLANKET WHEN ROLLING)

4. Stop rolling up the child when you run out of blanket when the child is on his back (don’t leave him face down) and tuck in any extra blanket edge

5. Give some slow, deep squeezes down your child’s shoulders, arms, hips, and legs while they are in the cocoon.

6. Continue to give the deep squeezes for 5-10 minutes or as tolerated, making sure not to leave them in the blanket too long to prevent overheating.

7. Finally, slowly unroll the child from the blanket when finished

Safety Reminders:

Keep their heads out of the blanket the entire time

Make sure your child does not get overheated in the blanket and only have your child in the cocoon for 5-10 minutes or as tolerated

Make sure your as asking your child if they are comfortable while in the cocoon and readjust if needed

What are some more calming ideas?

If you liked how easy and effective this activity was, take a look at the calming cookie dough activity and calming joint compressions. Both of these activities are just as simple and require minimal to no equipment.