For Children (Ages 6-11)
Resources for young children and their parents
For Kids: You're Not Alone
Do you ever feel like your feelings are really, really BIG? Like when someone says something that makes you feel bad, and it hurts SO much more than it seems to hurt other people?
That's okay. Lots of kids feel this way. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you - your brain just feels things really strongly. And there are things you can learn to help those big feelings feel a bit smaller.
Quick Tips for Parents
Name the feeling
Help them say "I feel hurt" or "I feel left out" instead of acting on the feeling.
Validate first
Say "I can see that really hurt" before trying to fix or minimise.
Create a calm-down toolkit
A box with stress balls, colouring pages, or headphones for music.
Practice at calm times
Discuss feelings and strategies when they're not upset.
Resources
Why Do I Have Such Big Feelings?
For childrenA child-friendly explanation of why some feelings feel so big.
Understanding Your Child with RSD
For parentsA comprehensive guide for parents of children ages 6-11.
Feelings Activity Workbook
For childrenFun activities to help children understand and express emotions.
Helping Your Child at School
For parentsStrategies for supporting your child in educational settings.
Assess your child's patterns
Our child screener uses age-appropriate questions designed for parents to answer about their child.
Take the Child Screener (Free)