I saw a really cute idea on pinterest for a meditation jar for kids and I wanted to make it. But then I realized... oh yeah! I live in absolute craziness...meditation? Yeah, never going to happen! And is giving my son a large mason jar a good idea? He is going to throw it. At me or at a wall? Depends on the mood and the day I guess.
Well I loved the idea, but we live in the real world here. We yell, we make messes and we take time outs.
There is no such thing as quiet meditation in my house!
I decided to take the idea and run with it, modifying it slightly to meet my needs.
First I cleaned out a Tree Hut Sugar Scrub container and peeled the labels off. This gave me a durable container to use for the TIME OUT JAR.
Next I heated 2 cups of water in the microwave. Don't aim for boiling water- but warm steamy water is ideal.
Next I squirted about a tablespoon of Glitter Glue in the container. You must use glitter glue! White glue and glitter will not work! Trust me on this one, I have a blog post in the works to prove it!
Pour the warm water in the container with the glitter glue.
Add a drop or two of food coloring to the glue and water.
I lined the lid of the container with glue and firmly sealed the jar.
And here you have a TIME OUT JAR.
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When my little boy is getting out of control or having a meltdown I hand him the Time Out Jar. He shakes it up and sits it down. When the glitter has fallen to the bottom he can get up from time out and resume playing. Sometimes I need a time out too and I shake the jar and watch the glitter swirl for a moment, it is relaxing and soothing. It helps me regain my composure to make it through the day when things are very hectic.
This was super easy to make and it has saved us from dramatic time outs. How do you make time out work for your kids?
You can find all of my sensory ideas here.
love this!!!!! Gonna have to steal it! Thanks for sharing. I think this would work well in my home too
ReplyDeleteThis is a great hands on way to redirect behavior. We've been doing a minute for each year old and setting a timer but my active son is constantly finding things to play with while sitting there. This just might do the trick, occupy his hands and mind while his body resets itself.
ReplyDeleteI love this such a neat idea and I like that is DIY
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea! Like Audra above, I usually do a minute of time out for each year old, but this is much better!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great idea. I like that you didn't use a mason jar. I'll be on the lookout for a clear plastic jar so I can make one too!
ReplyDeleteTry a peanut butter jar.
DeleteThanks for stopping by Tiffany!
Water bottles work great to. I used bottles from smart water. They can take a beating
ReplyDeleteLove your simple directions! And the need for glitter glue -- definitely! Tried it once with regular glue and glitter and it did not work.
ReplyDeleteWe made these in our preschool science area. One for each color.
ReplyDeleteThe kids are fascinated with the colors and glitter. Great idea for timing the time out!
i like this idea. will make for my students. thanks for sharing .
ReplyDeleteAs a grandma I'm wondering: wouldn' t some groovy kids cause themselves to require a timeout just to experience this fun timer?!? LOL.
ReplyDeleteMy husband teaches children with multiple disabilities and severe sensory impairment. I am going to show him this. The sparkly movement will be a very good visual for some of them.
ReplyDeleteI need to try this with my toddlers, hoptin it might calm them when they are angry! Thank you for linking up to the Thoughful Spot Weekly Blog Hop!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! What a neat idea!! Thanks for sharing at The Mommy Club Link Party.
ReplyDeleteSuch a clever idea! I love how pretty it looks. Thanks for sharing at My Favorite Things Party. Theresa @DearCreatives
ReplyDeleteLoving this idea Sara!! I really need to make some of these for my youngest two. Featuring this post on tomorrow's Serenity saturday link party
ReplyDeleteNatasha, You made my day! What an honor!
DeleteI'm going to try this with my now empty nutella jar. can't wait to try in my 4 &5 yr old classroom. does it matter how much glue used based on the size of bottle?
ReplyDeleteHi Megan!
DeleteI used about a tablespoon of glitter glue, so it wouldn't take too long to settle to the bottom. If you have an older child (mine is 3 so just a few moments is adequate for a time out for him) you can add more glue so that the glitter will take longer to settle to the bottom, allowing more time to reflect upon the behavior that lead to a time out.
I've seen these around, but I didn't think they would be effective but I think I will give it a shot for my little guy and maybe me too! :D
ReplyDeleteYes! Even if it isn't as effective as you like for the kids it will be perfect for Mom! Sometimes I need a time out and this is ideal. I can reflect on what events have led me to need a moment and then
DeleteI feel zen again. :)
Thanks for dropping by Heather!
That's a great idea. Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again this weekend!
ReplyDeleteI like this idea. A way to relax and gather our selves with visual stimulation.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop this week. We hope to see you drop by our neck of the woods next week!
I really like this idea! I'm always looking for positive ways to get my girls to sit in time out when necessary. I think I might even make one for myself :) Thank you for stopping by the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop to share with our readers! You were featured as one of my favorites this week :)
ReplyDeleteWe made these last summer! :) http://grtlyblesd.blogspot.com/2013/07/it-sparkles-my-pinned-it-and-did-it-for.html I still shake mine up every once in a while.
ReplyDeleteThat is very cool! Thanks for sharing at the Thoughtful Spot Blog Hop!
ReplyDeleteSuck a fun idea! Thanks for linking up at #MerryMonday!
ReplyDeleteFun and non toxic so kind of safe.
ReplyDelete