non-food comforters for littles

i often feel very helpless when dealing with littles. they seems so alien to me.
but there are some things that need to be changed.
there is a major struggle in our system about food and weight.
the teens agreed that they would like to lose some body fat.
Maya, who is a major player in the core team, relies on food for comfort a lot.
i was wondering if some of you had any ideas what we could try for comfort that is not food.
if i just try to cut the comfort food that will start a civil war. comforters need to be replaced, possibly by something better than food. i just cant come up with anything.
thanks for sharing ideas

Stuffies! Toys! Coloring books!

MD Kids

Stuffed animals, coloring books, stickers, puzzles, activities, small toys (but not too small, child safe ones), maybe gum if they are old enough to not try and swallow it, small candies that take a long time to finish (like jaw breakers and stuff), stim toys (just look up "stim toy" or "fidget toy". they are meant mostly for autistic people but they are great for kids too. They even have chewey jewelry that also looks pretty cute and discreet.) - Buffy

We use stuffed animals, soft blankets and music. I went to a kids store and let the ones that needed it to pick them out. I wake up often with them around me.

Kali

Hi Asti,

We have lots of things to help Evan. Here's my list.

Evan likes toy knights. They remind him to be brave. He also likes small cars that are easy to carry in your pocket. He loves picture books - not even kid ones, just lots of pictures. We also have a recording of our T's voice telling us that she likes working with us and will see us soon. We also have photos of his stuffie and his safe place he can look at if we're not at home.

For the angry littles we have old catalogs they can rip up (as long as they pick up after) and other things to break. They also like balls to kick - hits the fence, bounces back, kicked again. We also have balls they can squeeze really hard.

Hope this helps.

Iain

Teddies or blankets, colouring books, toys or puzzles and music (especially being sung to) comfort the little ones in our system.
Also stim toys (usually used by autistic kids) are good.
- Jorge and Lola

We never got the chance to color, because our body is blind. For us, holding something, soft blankets, and deep pressure, like the kind you'd get from a hug, all work wonders. We are vary touch and sound oriented, so Maria made sevral files for everyone to settle things. We also use breathing and body awareness, although this might be triggering for some. If it's not triggering mabey you could make it into a game. There are a lot of those in a quick google search. Hope things get settled soon.
Adeline.

Hey, Adeline, check your PM.

MDs

Hugs, if touch is not triggering. Quality time with them, or them fronting. Story telling and reading. Listening to their stories. Games, like going to the park, hide and seek, slides, swings.

Heavy blankets as Adeline suggests can be really comforting like some sort of containment. And the ideas for kids with anger like Iain suggests it's really creative and wow! Great.

Sea

Thanks. We have now.
An idea for littles. I've noticed no one's mentioned children's songs. That might be something you could try.
Marlene.
Michele: sometimes we read books to each other inside so mabey if there's a grown up in your place you could have them do it? mabey? I don't know, I'm only aight...