Anna’s ANTs Resources
How to Tap with Children
Step One: Clearly identify the emotion
“Are you noticing any feelings right now?”
“Where do you feel this in your body?”
“If you had to pick one main feeling, what would it be: anxious, sad, nervous, worried, angry???”
“Did something happen or is it something in the future that’s causing you to feel this way ?”
“What thoughts pop into your mind?”
Step Two: Rate the intensity on a scale of 0-10
On a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 is ‘not upset at all,’ and 10 is ‘the most upset ever,’ how upset do you feel?
For young children, you can ask them to show with their hands: a little space for ‘a little upset’ and a big space for ‘really upset.’”
Step Three: Create the set-up statement.
The set-up statement consists of two parts:
Naming the feeling: “Even though I feel angry because John laughed when I fell…”.
Statement of acceptance: “I still like myself anyway.”
Repeat the set-up statement three times while you tap on the Karate Chop point (see chart).
Step Four: Do two rounds of tapping
Use a reminder phrase from their exact words, e.g., “All this anger…..” “So angry with John…” “He is so mean …..”, “I can feel it in my tummy…..” “I was so embarrassed…..”, “I was so hurt…..”, “He is so annoying…”
Repeat the combination of reminder phrases as you tap with 2 fingers, about 7-8 times on each of the points in the chart, including the five fingernails.
Step Five: Measure the intensity again
After you finish 2 rounds of tapping, check in to measure the intensity of the child’s feelings on a scale of 0-10. Hopefully, the intensity has dropped. If they are still at a higher level, ask what came up for them during the tapping. Tap on any new thoughts or feelings that came up.
Step Six: Finish off with a positive, calming round.
This time, as you tap on the points, gently repeat:
“What if it’s safe to let this go? What if I choose to believe I can be calm? What if I choose to believe I can be happy. What if I choose to let go of all this worry? What if I choose to let go of all this fear? Letting go of all this worry. Feeling calm. Feeling good. Feeling happy. Feeling safe
You can end with a slow breath, “And now I choose feel calm, safe, and loved.”