Parent Resources
Gentle Emotional Support for Children Who Feel Things Deeply
Many children cannot learn emotional skills simply by being told what to do or having feelings explained to them.
They learn through experience, through stories, play, repetition, and feeling safe with the people around them.
A child may hear “calm down” many times and still not know how. But when calm is experienced again and again in gentle ways, the body begins to recognise it. Over time, understanding grows naturally.
Children with ADHD or other neurodivergent traits often need more time and more repetition for this kind of learning. What comes easily to some children may take longer to develop, especially when emotions are intense.
These resources are designed to support that journey, helping children build emotional understanding through familiar, playful experiences rather than pressure to explain themselves or “get it right".
There is nothing wrong with your child; they are still learning.
When the two dogs met
Meet Casper & Bentley
Casper and Bentley are two friendly golden retrievers who guide children through emotional experiences in a warm, non-judgmental way.
They are not teachers or authority figures, simply companions who help children feel safe while learning about themselves.
For many children, especially those who are neurodivergent or sensitive, learning alongside a friendly character feels far less overwhelming than direct instruction.
Casper has grown from a puppy into a calm, confident dog, supported by Bentley, his older companion who guides and reassures him.
Supporting children with emotional growth in a way the don't know they are learning
This is Casper and Bentley. Casper is always learning from his older friend.
Why This Approach Is Different
These resources follow a Feel-Safe, Learn-Later approach™, based on the understanding that young children build emotional skills through repeated safe experiences, not explanations alone.
When a child is overwhelmed, the thinking part of the brain is not in charge. Support needs to begin with helping the body feel calmer and safe. Once calm, understanding grows naturally through stories, play, and everyday moments.
It is similar to learning a new route. At first everything feels unfamiliar and effortful, but after enough journeys the path becomes automatic. The child no longer has to think about each step, the body simply knows the way, like auto pilot.
For many children, especially those with ADHD or other neurodivergent traits, using the “thinking” part of the brain can feel tiring and slow. If something is hard, confusing, or doesn’t seem to work straight away, children naturally avoid relying on it. Building skills through repeated safe experiences allows the brain to learn without pressure, so over time those skills become easier to access.
This approach is especially supportive for children who feel deeply, struggle to explain their emotions, or need more time and repetition for emotional skills to develop.
For Real Everyday Life
These resources are designed for use in ordinary family moments, not special “teaching sessions.”
They can help during:
-
Meltdowns or emotional overwhelm
-
Bedtime worries
-
Transitions and changes
-
After difficult experiences
-
Calm connection time
-
Daily check-ins
Some children will engage immediately. Others may watch or listen first. Both are part of learning.
Resources for Families
All resources are designed to be simple, gentle, and practical, with no need for specialist knowledge.
They may be particularly helpful for children who:
Experience intense emotions
Struggle to explain feelings
Become overwhelmed easily
Are anxious or sensitive
Have ADHD, autism, or related traits
Need visual or concrete support
Big Feelings Support Pack
A gentle collection of resources designed to support children through big feelings at home, helping them feel safe, understood, and gradually more confident.
This pack includes everything needed to support big feelings at home:
-
2 Storybooks of your choice in the series
Reading regularly with children helps to model feelings and coping through familiar situations children can relate to.
-
Feelings Cards
Visual prompts that help children recognise emotions and talk about feelings in a simple and fun way
-
Big Feelings Door
An interactive tool showing how strong emotions can block thinking, and how calm helps it open again.
-
Feelings journal
A 30 page monthly journal to help children notice and express feelings through drawing and colouring, without pressure to write or explain.
-
Simple parent guide
Simple guidance on using the resources together to support children calmly and consistently.
Story book
Resources
Journal
Resources for Home Educating Families
Resources can be used individually or together, depending on your child’s needs.
