The 5-4-3-2-1 technique is a grounding exercise that is practical to use in any situation when a child or young person is having feeling’s of anxiety. It helps them become more in touch with their immediate environment, when thoughts may be spiralling and causing an anxious response. In action: The 5 represents 5 things you can see, take time to look around you and observe 5 different things in your surroundings, The 4 represents 4 things you can feel or touch, like the chair