Rebecca Rainbow

“It’s too hot – I can’t sleep!”

It is a muggy summer night here in London. Miss Rainbows tips for blissful sleep can also be used on holiday or anywhere where it is just hot!
You hear your son or daughter call out. What can you do? The window is already wide open, glass of water by the bed. If they don’t fall to sleep soon then it could be a bad day ahead with a tired child.
Over the many years of working creatively with children I have developed and perfected really simple techniques for situations like this. Hot, bothered and tetchy children. For a remedy, all you need is – You! And a little creativity. So, here goes…And just before we start this simple technique I may as well say that it is just as much about you going in to the fantasy world as it is for your child.
I am going to set this out like a list. It will keep it clear and simple. Once you have the hang of it (which is so easy) you will probably not need to look at it again!
1. Enter your child’s room with ease of movement.
2. Speak in a soft slow voice.
3. Say very naturally; “We are going to go on a magic journey together….to a beautiful cool magical waterfall.”
4. Set the scene where the waterfall might be. Here is a suggestion to help you; “You’ve been walking in a green valley with tall trees and colourful birds. It is very hot and you really want to cool down. You stop and hear the gentle sound of water. You move a little closer. The sound becomes louder. You realise that it is the sound is of a waterfall! The water glistens in the golden sunlight. You walk towards it. You step under the water. It feels so lovely. The water trickles on your head, down your neck, your back…..Oh, it’s so cool! You slowly begin to feel cooler and cooler as the water keeps trickling all over you. Your breathing becomes slow and long, lovely and relaxed. Mine too (give a natural example of slow, long breathing, your child will naturally copy you.”
5. Stroking your child’s hair during the short story also aids relaxation.

That short example can be modified or extended in any way you choose. The more detailed you can make the visualisation the more the child yields to the magic.
The key to this being a successful way to help your child cool down and sleep is in the auto suggestion of the cool water trickling over their body, the slow breathing which naturally helps regulate body temperature. Your creative words which fire up the imagination of your child will create a calm soft place.
To support and enhance your little visualisation very soft, very simple music (without words) can be played but your voice alone is capable of setting and maintaining the scene.
Another time, after you have already offered it to your child, ask them to tell a short story like that for you. This type of visualisation really stimulates their creative processes and can actually enhance their powers of language and literacy. It is also a freer place as no pen in hand or marking is required. There are no limits to the magical places words can take us!
Adults and children have incredible powerful imaginations. The only difference is that children often seem more willing to suspend their version of reality for longer than an adult. And because of that they probably experience more magic and fun!

Enjoy being cool!

© Rebecca Rainbow Elliott 2009