A gentle River Room Song toolkit to help Children Feel Calm, Safe, and in Control
Children today are facing bigger feelings than ever before, However, many don’t yet have the words — or the tools — to manage them safely.
That’s where the River Room Songbook comes in.
Through music, movement, and simple routines, children learn how to:
Pause and protect their boundaries
Calm their breathing
Understand and name their feelings
Soothe their bodies
Manage overwhelming moments
Why This Works So Well
Because children learn through songs and repetition, the skills stay with them.Instead of complex language or difficult concepts, children are given simple, memorable tools they can use every day.
So, whether they are:
- Feeling anxious at school
- Overwhelmed at home
- Or struggling to express their emotions
They have something familiar to return to. These songs become their emotional anchors.
What Children Gain
As children use the River Room tools, they begin to:
✔ Feel calmer and more in control
✔ Build confidence in expressing feelings
✔ Understand that big emotions are okay
✔ Learn safe, simple ways to manage them
✔ Develop resilience and emotional awareness
Most importantly, they begin to feel: “I can handle this.”
A Perfect Fit with MBIMB
The River Room Songbook works hand-in-hand with the My Body Is My Body Programme, supporting:
- Emotional awareness
- Body safety
- Confidence to speak up
- Knowing who to tell and how to ask for help
Together, they help children feel safe, heard, and empowered.
Start Using the River Room Songbook Today:
Download The River Room Songbook .pdf Here:
About the Authors
The River Room Songbook is a collaborative creation by Deborah J. Crozier of A Positive Start CIC and Chrissy Sykes, founder of the My Body Is My Body (MBIMB) Programme. Deborah is a Person-Centred Counsellor, Trauma-Informed Practitioner, and Global MBIMB Ambassador whose work is rooted in compassion, emotional regulation, and community wellbeing. Chrissy, an internationally recognised advocate for child safety through music, has spent over 35 years empowering children worldwide with the MBIMB Programme. Together, they bring their shared passion for healing, creativity, and child protection to The River Room Songbook — a gentle, imaginative resource designed to help children understand and express their feelings safely.


Song 1 — “I Am Special”
This song helps children build a positive inner voice. It reminds them that they are already enough — not because of what they achieve, but simply because they are themselves. Through affirmations and gentle reflection, children begin to replace unhelpful beliefs with kinder, stronger ones, helping them develop healthy self-worth.
Song 2 — “Breathe Like the Breeze”
Children learn how their breath can bring calm. When life feels tight or stressful, breathing slowly , like a soft breeze, helps the body release tension and return to balance. This lesson teaches simple breathing techniques that help children feel safe, steady, and clear-minded in moments of overwhelm.
Song 3 — “The Tapping Song”
Tapping gives children a hands-on way to calm big emotions. By tapping on specific points while thinking about how they feel, children learn to release tension, lower worry, and reconnect with their bodies. It’s a gentle “reset button” that helps emotions move instead of getting stuck.
Song 4 — “Heart and Tummy Hold”
This lesson teaches a soothing self-comfort technique, placing one hand on the heart and one on the tummy. It helps children feel grounded, cared for, and safe inside their bodies. This simple gesture becomes a bridge between emotions and comfort, especially when children feel sad, worried, or embarrassed.
Song 5 — “R.A.I.N”
RAIN (Recognise, Allow, Inquire, Nurture) gives children a mindful way to understand and work through emotions. Instead of pushing feelings away, children learn to recognise them, allow them to be there, explore them gently, and comfort themselves with kindness. This builds emotional intelligence and confidence.
Song 6 — “S.T.A.N.D”
STAND (Stop, Think, Act, Never Doubt) teaches children to pause before reacting, notice their feelings, and choose actions that protect their wellbeing. It’s especially helpful for children who “people-please” or stay quiet to keep the peace. STAND helps children trust their instincts and practise healthy boundaries.
The River Room Songbook Course offers more than songs —
It offers lifelong tools. Each lesson helps children understand their emotions, soothe their bodies, and build inner strength. These skills make classrooms calmer, home life easier, and children more confident in navigating their world.

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