Healthy Distractions: Simple Tools for Settled Children
Learn practical strategies to help children regulate emotions, refocus attention, and return to calm during challenging moments.
Ideal for early years practitioners, childminders, and anyone supporting young children's emotional wellbeing.
Course Details
✓ Understand what healthy distractions are and when they should be used.
✓ Recognise how distraction can support emotional regulation and self-control.
✓ Build a toolkit of practical calming and redirection strategies.
✓ Respond positively to challenging behaviour while supporting children's emotional development.
✓ Embed healthy distraction techniques into everyday early years practice.
Module 1: What It Is and Why It Matters
- Understanding healthy distractions
- Why emotional regulation is important
- Supporting children through co-regulation
- When healthy distractions are appropriate
Module 2: Understanding Distraction and Regulation
- Understanding children's emotions
- Triggers and overwhelming situations
- Co-regulation and self-regulation
- Positive behaviour support
Module 3: The Healthy Distractions Toolkit
- Practical calming techniques
- Sensory strategies
- Redirection through play
- Language that supports regulation
- Building confidence and resilience
Module 4: Embedding Healthy Distractions in Practice
- Using strategies consistently
- Working with families
- Creating supportive environments
- Reflecting on your practice
Module 5: Knowledge Check
- End-of-course quiz
- Reflecting on key learning
- Planning next steps
👶 Early Years Practitioners
🏡 Childminders
🏫 Nursery and Preschool Staff
👩🏫 Room Leaders
🎓 Early Years Students and Apprentices
❤️ Anyone supporting children's emotional wellbeing and behaviour
No previous behaviour management training is required.