The October Wobble - Helping children find their calm as the new-school-year energy starts to settle

September can be such a busy month for children.

New classes, new teachers, new routines, new friendships… and lots of excitement.

But then October arrives. The novelty starts to wear off, the darker evenings creep in and children can begin to feel tired, overwhelmed or more emotional.

You might notice more meltdowns after school, increased frustration, difficulty with transitions or simply a child who seems to have less capacity than usual. And sometimes, that’s okay. It can simply be a sign that their little bodies and brains need some extra time to pause, regulate and reset.

Here are some simple things you can try at home or in school this October.

1. Breathe like a balloon- Breathing doesn’t have to be complicated or formal.

Ask your child to place their hands on their tummy.

Take a gentle breath in and imagine your tummy filling up like a balloon.

Then slowly breathe out and imagine the balloon getting smaller.

Try three slow breaths together.

Tip: Don’t worry about making the breaths perfect. The aim is simply to slow down and notice the breath.

2. Shake, squeeze and settle - Sometimes children need to move before they can become calm.

Try:

• Shake – shake out your hands, arms and legs.

• Squeeze – squeeze your hands together or give your shoulders a gentle squeeze.

• Release – let everything go.

• Then pause.

• Notice your feet on the floor and take one slow breath.

This can be a lovely little reset after a busy lesson, before homework or when emotions are starting to build.

3. Create a calm corner - This is something I use at home with my own daughter.

We have a little tepee tent that has become her calm space. Inside, we have cosy things like cushions and blankets, along with a few things she enjoys.

It gives her somewhere quiet and familiar to go when everything feels a bit too much.

And importantly, it’s not a punishment and it’s not somewhere she is sent when she’s “been naughty”.

It’s simply a safe space that she knows she can choose when she needs some time to reset.

You don’t need a tepee to create one. A cosy corner with a cushion, blanket, favourite book, soft toy or sensory item can be enough. Why not let your child help you create their own calm corner and choose what goes inside?

4. Check in without needing all the answers - Sometimes children don’t have the words to tell us exactly what’s going on.

Instead of asking, “What’s wrong?”

Try something simpler:

• “Was today a green, amber or red kind of day?”

• “Are you feeling tired, cross, worried or something else?”

• “Would you like to talk, have a cuddle or have some quiet time?”

And sometimes the answer might be “I don’t know.”

That’s okay too. We don’t always need to fix the feeling. Sometimes simply being alongside them is enough.

5. Get outside and notice - Autumn gives us a beautiful opportunity to slow down and reconnect with what’s around us.

Go for a short walk and try a simple grounding activity:

• 5 things you can see4 things you can feel3 things you can hear

• Or forget the numbers altogether and simply look at the leaves, feel the breeze and notice what’s happening around you.

• It doesn’t have to be a mindfulness “activity”. Sometimes a little fresh air and connection is all that’s needed.

6. Bring back the predictability - When children are tired or overwhelmed, knowing what is coming next can feel reassuring.

Try creating a simple after-school rhythm, for example:

Home → snack → quiet time → play → tea → bedtime

It doesn’t have to be rigid. It’s simply about giving children some familiar points in their day that they can rely on.

Hannah’s October Wobble Toolkit

If things are feeling a little wobbly this October, remember:

• BREATHE – three slow balloon breaths

• MOVE – shake, squeeze and settle

• RESET – find your calm corner

• CONNECT – check in with feelings

• GROUND – notice what’s around you

• ROUTINE – create predictable transitions

You could save this section and come back to it whenever you need a little reset.

A little reminder from me

As adults, we can sometimes feel that we need to do something when a child is struggling.

Another activity. Another strategy. Another conversation.

But sometimes children don’t need us to fix everything.

Sometimes they need less pressure, more connection and a little time to reset.

The small moments matter.

• A breath

• A cuddle

• A quiet corner

• A walk outside

Someone sitting beside them and saying, “I’ve got you.”

These little moments can help children feel safe, supported and ready to try again.

Small moments of calm can make a big difference. 

Supporting Children Beyond the Classroom

Yoga provides children with lifelong tools they can use whenever they face change, not just at school, but throughout life.

By helping children feel calmer, more confident, and emotionally resilient, we’re giving them more than a successful transition. We’re helping them build the foundations for positive mental wellbeing.

How has your child managed this term? I’d love to hear how you’re helping them, and if you’d like to learn how children’s yoga sessions can support your school or family, get in touch.