Truth Cards
Names what's true when a big feeling is telling a different story.
“This will not last forever! All storms run out of rain.”
At home
Read one out loud in the middle of the storm — no explaining required.
← Parent Corner
Mindfulness & Regulation
Mindfulness here isn't sitting still with your eyes closed. It's a set of body-first practices — breath, movement, grounding — that help a child feel safe enough to think, and that work just as well for the grown-up in the room.
What helps
In the moment
- Sea Star Breath: trace up an arm as you breathe in, down as you breathe out. Five arms, five breaths.
- Bubble Breaths: blow the biggest bubble you can without popping it — it lengthens the exhale.
- Octopus Arms: shake out eight imaginary arms to move the energy before trying to settle.
- Into Your Shell: a self-hug and slow breathing, so a child can ask for space without a meltdown.
Practising when things are calm
- Practise the breath when nobody is upset — that's how it becomes available later.
- Name body clues together: hot face, fast heart, tight tummy.
- Pick one anchor practice as your family's default and use the same words every time.
- Let your child lead the breath sometimes. Teaching it makes it stick.
Words you can borrow
You don't have to say the perfect thing. Your calm presence matters more than perfect words.
“Let's do a sea star breath together.”
“Where do you feel that in your body?”
“I need a shell minute too.”
“Your body is doing its job. We can help it settle.”
The cards that help here
Inside the Power Card Deck are four kinds of cards. These are the ones families reach for with this topic.
Truth cards
Steady sentences to read while the body comes back down.
“This will not last forever! All storms run out of rain.”
Remember cards
Reminders that hold once the breathing has done its work.
“You're still you. Even after what happened. Still worthy. Still magic.”
More on this from the blog
5 Signs Your Child Needs Better Emotional Regulation Tools
Discover 5 signs your child may need help building emotional regulation. Learn effective tools for building emotional resilience in children.
July 20, 2025
3 Common Meditation Myths Debunked: Understanding the Truth Behind the Practice
Uncover the truth about meditation with '3 Common Meditation Myths Debunked' - discover how to embrace the practice without the pressure.
February 18, 2024
Mindfulness made easy: the kids edition. Tips for how to practice in every day life.
May 7, 2023
If you'd like something to hold onto
When you've worked through a hard moment together, these cards help continue the conversation — one card, one step, whenever your child needs it.
Remember Cards
Gives a child something steady to hold on to about who they are.
“You're still you. Even after what happened. Still worthy. Still magic.”
At home
Leave one on a pillow, in a lunchbox, or read it at bedtime.
Voice Cards
Gives them the words when speaking up feels impossible.
“Words to try when something doesn't feel okay.”
At home
Practise the line together before the moment it's needed.
Power Plan Cards
Turns a hard moment into one small, doable next step.
“One step you can take today — small counts.”
At home
Use it after the feeling settles, when the body is ready to think.
Release Cards
Moves the feeling out of the body through the hands.
“Draw the anger. Scratch, scribble, cover the whole space. Then tear it.”
At home
Hands-on and physical — drawing, tearing, folding, letting go.
Want to go deeper with creative tools?
Children often can't say what's wrong — but they can draw it, scribble it, fold it, or tear it up. Creative journaling gives feelings a place to go that doesn't depend on finding the right words.
A prompt to try today
"Draw what today felt like. You don't have to explain it — just put it on the page."