A child needs to do one thing over and over to calm himself down when the adults get angry. What does he do? How does he learn it?

A foot's tap Is his music, A bird's chirp: That's his music. And at six, Vibrating his lips, Slapping his knees, And a clock's tick Puts Max to sleep.   Mother's expletives Sound best With eyes shut. And a bottle's clink When thrown at the sink Is Max's music.   Shutting one ear Then opening it again Changes …