Lavenderbuddy

This is not a Toy

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I ask that you introduce this as a Tool  from your perspective and let children see it as a playful, comforting companion

Here are some Tips, but the choice is yours how you introduce this

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Bear

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Pop his head out of the backpack in surprise and prompt your child to explore all of his beautiful textures, colours and scent of lavender.

​​Taking time is a given as this lessens demand that some children may feel.

You know your child and their pace.

 

1. Fabric- let them stroke the fabric back and forward to receive tactile feedback.

2. Embroidered Breath Focus points- Let them find them with their fingers and eyes closed so they feel the change in the tactile input.

3. Name the colours together

4. Count the points together

5. Open and close the Velcro across his tummy for Auditory feedback, let them remove the inside bag and ask what else do they think they could put in there. Snacks are always a favourite!

6. Tracing the Logo with fingers is especially helpful for Visual impairment to find the front and back of the Bear.

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Now the features have become familiar you can now prompt them to take it with them on Transitions from Home when needing a Nap, and Bedtime

This consistency and familiar comfort signals confidence that their new friend is always around

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Mirror

Lead with a Hug from Lavenderbuddy with you and have conversations with him, thanking him for making you feel better and calm, then leave next to your child to let them mirror what you just showed.

Whisper your feelings in his ear

Dance with him to Music

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Breath

 

1. Start slowly practicing a breath in and a breath out when their fingers move down these points.

Let them see you do it first and wait on them to mirror your actions

2. Start at the Crown or the Base and work up.

3. Continue making this a daily experience and then move onto taking the usual breath in and a longer one out.

This type of breathing downshifts the nervous system into rest and digest and out of Fight or Flight

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Affirmation cards

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 Self Validating statements to oppose the opinions of those with less knowlegde and sparkle

Pop these under a pillow and in a lunchbox as a surprise to say together or by themself.

Non readers to use colour match against the Bear and you speak.

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The Scene has been set and this is where the magic happens over time.

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Overwhelm

 

When overwhelm is about to land in their little bodies, this is when Lavenderbuddy comes into his best work.

The child will feel, Smell, Feel and Hear the 3 features.

Receive feedback which all remind the Brain and Body felt like in the past few weeks.

The Lavender scent along with all the sensory input sends a signal

To The Brain from the Body-  Bottom up

"I AM SAFE"

The Brain responds back to the body- Top Down

" I AM SAFE"

Continuing in this loop until it 

Downshifts the Nervous system responses which have caused the overwhelm.

Hugs give proprioceptive feedback and connection / co-regulations which raises Oxytocin levels 

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In times of high distress , co-regulation with a Tool, gives space for both the parent and the child to release emotional responses we feel

Verbal instructions can also feel like demand.

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Prompt some finger movement up the breath points and start at opposite ends

Add the breath-in and out

This part is fun when fingers collide

 

This finalises the internal and external experience so the Hormones in the background ,we don't see either will

balance out quicker than without this

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Sleep Support using Lavenderbuddy

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Bringing the body into rest and digest, before bedtime or a nap is Key.

When the brain is busy and their body has excess energy, we support it all

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Sensory Movement that is Calming and Organising

(Occupational  Therapists are Invaluable)

Wall Pushing

Low Lights

 You know what works best

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Using daily for naps, just as a comforter, helps transition forward to Bedtime sleep support

This is beneficial for building new neuropathways in the Brain that then signal-

Sleep is Safe