Balloons can help your preschooler overcome hurt feelings

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Is your preschooler feeling left out or verbally abused? Try this self-mentoring tip to help equip your child to handle these situations without resorting to tears. All you need is a small bag of balloons and a little acting skill.

When children are feeling left out, verbally abused, or bullied, they need to learn self-mentoring skills to equip them to handle those situations without resorting to tears. This is one of those ideal teachable moments. Keep a small package of balloons in your pocket or purse. For the sake of this exercise, let’s call this child Little Y for ‘why did this happen to me’. Little Y runs up to you crying because the other kids at the park won’t play with him or they called him a mean name. He is feeling like a victim. He is also feeling flat and deflated like a balloon with no air in it. Your mission is to get him feeling puffed-up and inflated once again. Here is one way this could happen. Use your imagination. You might think of other ways as well. If so, please share in the comment section. Other parents might find your tips to be helpful.

You will now play the part of you, the parent, using a mysterious-sounding voice infused with gentle humor. You will also play the part of the balloon. Pretend this balloon is a puppet. Use either a squeaky voice or a goofy voice or a squeaky, goofy-sounding voice to speak for the balloon. Little Y, of course, is your little boy or little girl. For the sake of this exercise, we’re going to pretend that Little Y is a pre-school boy.

Parent: Do you know what I have in my pocket (or purse)?

(Pull out a balloon. If possible, make certain this balloon is your child’s favorite color.)

Parent: I have this very special balloon. But he needs a name. Do you want to call this balloon Balloon-Head or Fred Or Annabelle?

Little Y: Fred.

Parent: Okay, Fred. It’s nice to meet you. Fred, this is Little Y. Little Y, this is Fred.

Little Y: Hi, Fred.

Fred: Hi, Little Y. It’s nice to meet you. Uh, excuse me for a moment.

(Hold the balloon to your ear like it’s telling you a secret.)

Parent: What’s that you say, Fred? Oh, you have a problem. Well, perhaps Little Y and I can help. What’s the problem?

Fred: I feel flat and deflated because no one will play with me. Is that how you feel, Little Y?

(Little Y will probably nod his head.)

Parent: Oh, no, Little Y and Fred, you both are feeling flat and deflated! Well, let’s see if we can work together so both of you can feel better. Hey, Little Y? How can we make Fred feel more puffed-up and loved?

Little Y: (If Little Y doesn’t come up with this answer, you supply it.) Blow him up.

Parent: Oh, that’s a great idea. Fred, I’m going to give you some love by blowing you up a little bit. (Then blow up the balloon so it is about 1/3 full.) Okay, Fred, are you feeling a little bit better?

Fred: Yeah, I feel a little bit better. Now, it’s Little Y’s turn.

Parent: Well, I can’t blow up Little Y like you do a balloon, but I could tickle him or give him a hug. Do you think that might work, Fred? Would that make Little Y feel more puffed-up and a little bit better?

Fred: I think you should tickle him and then hug him. Do both!

(Then engage in some gentle tickling and playful hugging.)

Parent: Hmmmm, Fred, what do you think? Do you think Little Y feels a little bit more puffed-up like you?

Fred: I’ll check and see. Hey, Little Y? Are you feeling a little-bit puffed up or a lot puffed-up?

Little Y: A little-bit.

Fred: Yeah, me too. We need more love.

Parent: Okay, Fred. Let’s blow you up some more. (Blow up the balloon so it is about 2/3 full.) Now, how do you feel?

Fred: Wow! I feel even better. Okay, it’s Little Y’s turn to feel better. Let’s sing our favorite song together.

(Then you can play “Ring Around The Rosy” or “Duck, Duck Goose” or the “I’m Gonna Get You” game where you playfully run after him and try to tickle him. Fred will help you play one of these games. If other kids want to join in, let them. Pretty soon, Little Y will be off playing and having a good time. You can put Fred away for a future time. If no children join in, then continue with the exercise.)

Fred: That was fun, Little Y! Did you have fun?

Little Y: Yeah. (He might still be in the mood to pout.)

Parent: Hey, Fred? Do you mind if I try something for a moment?

Fred: What?

Parent: May I let all the air out of you so I can show Little Y something?

Fred: Will you blow me back up after you’re done?

Parent: I most certainly will.

Fred: Okay, let my air out. Watch me shrink, Little Y. I’m shrinking. I’m shrinking. I’m flaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat! (Hopefully, this will make Little Y giggle.)

Parent: Okay, Little Y, do you know how much I love you?

Little Y: I guess.

Parent: I don’t just love you like flat Fred here. (Blow up the balloon about 1/3 full). I love you more than this. (Blow up the balloon about 2/3 full.) I love you even more than this. (Blow up the balloon all the way.) I love you even more than this. I love you to the moon and back.

Fred: Hey, Little Y, I’m back. And guess what?

Little Y: What?

Fred: I love you to the moon and back too.

(Now think about what one of your child’s special playground talents. Is he really good at swinging or climbing or sliding or balance-walking? Focusing on that special talent, continue with the final part of this exercise.)

Parent: Guess what, Fred?

Fred: What?

Parent: Little Y is a really good slider.

Fred: He is? Wow! I’d sure like to see that.

Parent: I’d like to see it too. When he slides, he makes me feel as puffed-up and proud as you.

Fred: Cool! Hey, Little Y, can you show me how good you slide?

Little Y: Sure! Let’s go.

(You may want to tie the balloon off so Fred stays fully inflated, then you can let Fred slide down the slide as well. Most likely, your child will be so distracted by the fun activity with the balloon, he or she will be ready to play once again.)

Two funs songs to sing with your child:

1. My Bully Buster Song on Examiner.com

2. Another Bully Buster Song on YouTube: (Song is embedded below.)