The Relaxation Rainbow: A Gentle Story for Restful Nights

The Relaxation Rainbow is more than just a bedtime story-it's a gentle guide to help children relax their body and mind, one color at a time. As children follow a peaceful journey through a flower garden, each color-red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet-invites them to slow down, steady their breath, and find calm. Each color is paired with a simple simile that helps cue the color while providing a soothing image to comfort and calm.

This simple Relaxation Rainbow technique draws awareness to different parts of the brain and nervous system, creating a sense of calm and gentle organization-like walking down a quiet forest path. Written by a breathing educator and orofacial myofunctional therapist with years of experience working with people of all ages, The Relaxation Rainbow is designed for children ages 3 to 8, but gentle enough to be shared with the whole family. This story helps build lifelong skills in relaxation, breathing modulation, and mindfulness for children, and how to unwind.

Parents and caregivers can use The Relaxation Rainbow as a read-aloud to foster healthy sleep habits, provide a comforting nighttime routine, or help calm an overstimulated child. Nature-based themes and common backyard and forest animals-like deer, bunnies, crickets, and fireflies-bring the story to life. Breathing cues are woven in to guide children in softening the breath and releasing tension in the shoulders, jaw, and face, while also encouraging correct oral posture of the lips and tongue.

This story can grow with you-personalize it as you learn the premise and create your own relaxing journey. Let The Relaxation Rainbow be a calming companion, making bedtime a soothing and restful experience.