The Calm Caterpillar | Particl Company Profile

a little reminder: you are a good mom. 🫶🫶

The secret to stopping your toddler’s meltdown? There isn’t one. 🙃 I know—I wish there was a quick fix. And I know I post a lot of different tips and tricks. But the truth is, meltdowns are a completely normal part of development. 😩 And while there are things you can do to help deescalate—like validating their feelings or modeling deep breaths—most of the time, they just need time and space to process their big emotions. 😤 When we’re frantically trying to “fix it” or make it stop, it can actually make things worse. 🤪 Just stay calm. Stay close. Let it pass. 🧘🏻‍♀️ You got this 🫶🫶

May is Mental Health Month - so let’s talk about my anxious habit of picking my scalp! ✨ I’m actually really self-conscious about it and thought about just uploading this as trial reel.. 🫣 But in honor of Mental Health Month - I’m putting it out there. I’m sharing this hoping that: - Someone else might realize they’re not alone. - Or maybe someone who’s been through this can share what helped them stop. I started picking at my scalp about 15 years ago — I still remember sitting in a high school class when it first became a habit. I don’t intentionally pull out my hair, but over time the picking has led to damage, and now there’s a bald spot that’s become more noticeable, especially this past year. I usually try to cover it by pushing hair over it, but I really want to stop. Scalp picking can be tied to anxiety, stress, or even boredom. For me, it’s a way my body reacts when I’m overwhelmed, even when I don’t realize it. I do it while driving, watching tv, or when I’m deep in thought. If you’ve experienced this or have any recommendations, please let me know! 🫶🫶

Comment “shop all” to take advantage of our current pricing. 🫶 The U.S. government is now charging U.S.-based businesses like ours 145% tariff on products imported from China. That means for every $1 of product, companies are being charged $1.45 just to bring it into the country. Unfortunately, these steep costs are beginning to trickle down to consumers. As a small business, we’re doing everything we can to maintain our current prices for as long as possible, because we deeply believe that emotional regulation tools for children should remain accessible to all families. If you’ve been thinking about purchasing any of our products that help children regulate their emotions, now is the time to do so. Our hearts go out to the families impacted by these policies—both here in the U.S. and across the globe. 🫶

5 Bedtime-Friendly Physical Activities 👇 Wind UP before bed? Yes! 🤪🤪 It might sound backwards—but playful movement and sensory input before bedtime can actually help your child calm down and sleep better. ❤️ Here’s why: these activities regulate the nervous system, release built-up energy, and help your child feel more grounded and emotionally settled. Try these 5 simple, connection-filled activities: 👉 Jumping on cushions or the bed – Offers deep pressure (proprioceptive input) that helps the body feel safe and calm. 👉 Blanket swings – Provides gentle vestibular input that soothes and supports balance and regulation. 👉 Wall pushes or bear crawls – Heavy work helps organize the body and mind before sleep. 👉 Tossing them onto the bed – A burst of movement plus deep pressure = physical and emotional grounding. 👉 Chase or animal-style races – Fun, bonding play that helps release excess energy and transitions into wind-down time. Sometimes, a little chaos helps calm them before the sleep! 😴😴 Save + send to your co-parent! 🫶

I get this question a lot: “Are sensory seeking behaviors always a sign of autism?” 🤷🏻‍♀️ This is a difficult one to unpack because every child and situation is different! But first I wanted to highlight that children with autism have their own unique strengths, such as incredible focus, attention to detail, and often deep knowledge in their areas of interest. Understanding these differences helps us support and celebrate every child’s unique journey! 🌈 If you’re wondering if your child’s sensory seeking behaviors might be a sign of autism, here are 3 things to consider👇 💚 Social Engagement: Sensory-seeking children who are not autistic often show interest in socializing, may seek out group play, and typically engage in reciprocal communication. Their sensory seeking tends to be playful rather than socially avoidant. 💚 Ease with Transitions: Sensory seekers without autism usually adjust more easily to changes in routines and transitions. Their sensory needs don’t typically interfere with daily functioning or cause significant distress in unfamiliar situations. 💚 Sensory Seeking Without Sensory Avoidance: While they actively crave movement, touch, or other sensory input, they usually don’t show extreme sensitivity or withdrawal from certain sensations (e.g., loud sounds or textures), which can be more common in some children on the autism spectrum. Be sure to consult with your child’s pediatrician or seek an evaluation with an occupational therapist if you have questions or concerns. 🫶🫶

Cincinnati friends! 👋 We’d love to get your feedback on some of our new kids products before they hit the market! We’re hosting an in-person focus group on Thursday, May 8th at 5:30 p.m. at @dancefactoryfitness! We’re looking for parents and children (ages 2-8)! In addition to snacks and drinks at the event, adults will receive a $20 gift card for participating. Comment “cincy” if you’re interested in attending and I will DM you the signup form! 🫶🫶

It can be hard to fight the urge to tell your child to “take a deep breath” when they are upset—because you know it would help but sometimes this command ends up making their meltdown worse! Instead of just saying it… show them! 🧘🏻‍♀️ Here are three simple ways to help your child learn or engage in deep breathing: 😮‍💨 Model it! Breathe slowly and audibly in front of them. Let them feel your calm and they will mirror your behavior. 🐛 Use visual tools! Try pinwheels, bubbles, or products like ours: Calmee the Caterpillar and Bloomie. Visual feedback helps make breathing more engaging and rewarding. 🤪 Make it playful! Pretend to blow out birthday candles, smell a flower, or roar like a lion! When breathing is fun, kids are more likely to try it—which helps them practice for tough moments. Remember: regulation starts with co-regulation. Your calm is contagious ❤️❤️ Share this post with your co-parent. 🫶🫶

Comment “giveaway” below for a chance to win The Ultimate Sensory Seeker’s Playroom Package! 🎉🎉 I’ve teamed up with some of my favorite brands to create a fun, sensory-friendly space for your kiddo — one lucky winner will receive it ALL! Here’s what’s included: ✨ 1 Play Couch from @figgyplay ✨ 1 Bean Bag from @tokimats ✨ 1 Sensory Swing from @savoiz_designs ✨ 1 Set of Stepping Stones from @pebblestones.us ✨ 1 Memory Foam Play Rug from @muscle_mat ✨ 1 Wooden Balance Board from @poppyseed.play ✨ 1 Calmee, 1 Bloomie, and 1 Tree Stump Cushion from @thecalmcaterpillar 🐛🐛 🙌 Over $850 in products! 🙌 How to Enter: ✔️ Comment “giveaway” on this post. ✔️ Complete the quick entry form sent to your DMs. ✔️ Share this post to your stories! Bonus: Follow all participating brands to show them some love ❤️ 📅 Winner will be announced on May 1st — good luck and thank you for following 🫶🫶

If you’re trying to raise resilient kids, these 3 behaviors can make a big difference! 👇👇 I’ve been reading Good Inside by @drbeckyatgoodinside, and it has really helped me rethink how I show up for my kids emotionally. Not a sponsored post—just a resource I truly found helpful. Here are 3 key behaviors I’m working on: 1. Empathy – Instead of jumping in to fix or correct, it’s about seeing things from your child’s perspective. Saying things like “That makes sense you feel that way” helps kids feel safe and understood. 2. Listening – Not just nodding along, but really tuning in. Listening without interrupting or offering quick solutions builds trust—and helps kids process their emotions out loud. 3. Letting kids feel big feelings – It’s hard to watch our kids be upset, but trying to cheer them up too quickly can send the message that their feelings are “too much.” Letting them cry, be mad, or scared (while staying close and supportive) teaches them that feelings aren’t dangerous—and they can get through them. These aren’t always easy in the moment, but they go a long way in helping kids grow into emotionally resilient adults. 🤗🤗

Comment “faces” for the link to this poster! 🤪 This poster uses real faces to help kids recognize feelings, build empathy, and express emotions. 😲 Posters with illustrated faces can sometimes be confusing—real expressions are easier for kids to relate to and understand. 😊 It also includes a calming hand breathing exercise to support self-regulation! 😮‍💨✋

Comment “giveaway” below for a chance to win The Ultimate Sensory Seeker’s Playroom Package! 🎉🎉 I’ve teamed up with some of my favorite brands to create a fun, sensory-friendly space for your kiddo — one lucky winner will receive it ALL! Here’s what’s included: ✨ 1 Play Couch from @figgyplay ✨ 1 Bean Bag from @tokimats ✨ 1 Sensory Swing from @savoiz_designs ✨ 1 Set of Stepping Stones from @pebblestones.us ✨ 1 Memory Foam Play Rug from @muscle_mat ✨ 1 Wooden Balance Board from @poppyseed.play ✨ 1 Calmee, 1 Bloomie, and 1 Tree Stump Cushion from @thecalmcaterpillar 🐛🐛 🙌 Over $850 in products! 🙌 How to Enter: ✔️ Comment “giveaway” on this post. ✔️ Complete the quick entry form sent to your DMs. ✔️ Share this post to your stories! Bonus: Follow all participating brands to show them some love ❤️ 📅 Winner will be announced on May 1st — good luck and thank you for following 🫶🫶

I get this question all the time: “What’s the difference between Autism, ADHD, and Sensory Seeking?” It’s a great question—because they can look quite similar and often share overlapping behaviors or traits. But understanding the differences is key to better supporting and celebrating every child’s unique journey! If you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s pediatrician or consider an evaluation with an occupational therapist. 🫶🫶

Try this breathing exercise next time you notice your child’s emotions start to rise. This simple and fun technique can help your child cope with big emotions and build skills for self-regulation. 🌼 Dandelion Breathing 🌼 1. Guide your child to take a deep breath (you can even have them smell a yellow dandelion). 2. Have your child exhale as they try to blow the seeds off the fluffy dandelion. Repeat these steps a few times and watch your child’s mood improve! Save this post or share with your partner to try in the future! 💛

4 reasons hopping helps kids calm down 👇 Happy Easter! 🐰🐰 Hopping like a hunny can help kids regulate their emotions! Here’s why: - Releases extra energy: Movement helps kids get out physical tension and restlessness. - Provides vestibular input: The up-and-down motion supports balance and body control, helping the brain feel more organized. - Offers proprioceptive input: Pressure through the muscles and joints improves body awareness and naturally calms the nervous system. - Improves focus and emotional regulation: Sensory input from hopping helps kids feel more grounded, making it easier to manage big feelings. Turning regulation into play makes kids more likely to join in—and benefit from it! 🫶🫶

Comment “class” for an 18-minute video course including 5 fun breathing exercises! 🫶🫶 I started teaching my son deep breathing techniques when he was around 1 years old. Now, at 2.5 years old he independently takes deep breaths when he’s upset. Of course he still has big feelings but deep breathing has helped him work through his frustrations and meltdowns. Sometimes we are able to stop a meltdown in its tracks or reduce the length of his crying. ❤️ In this video, I’m using a play-silk to provide visual feedback of his deep breaths! This encourages him to take deeper breaths and rewards him with seeing the result of his action. 🌈 Teaching toddlers deep breathing can have a huge impact on their emotional development. Here’s how it helps 👇 😮‍💨 Emotional Regulation: Deep breathing helps toddlers manage their feelings, especially when they’re overwhelmed or frustrated. 😌 Stress Reduction: It calms the nervous system, helping them relax during stressful situations. 👍 Improved Focus: Learning to pause and breathe can enhance their attention span and ability to focus. 😴 Better Sleep: Deep breathing promotes relaxation, making it easier for little ones to unwind and get restful sleep. 💪 Self-Regulation Skills: It gives toddlers a simple tool to calm themselves down when they’re upset. The earlier you introduce these techniques, the more natural they become! Follow @thecalmcaterpillar for more fun and engaging breathing exercises to help your child develop these important skills!

How to help your child manage ANGER or ENERGY👇 Lion’s Breath is a simple and fun technique to teach children how to take deep breaths, which improves their mood! 🦁 👉👉 If you want to learn 5 fun and engaging breathing techniques, click the button in this reel or link in bio for our 18-minute parent class! 👈👈 Not only does taking deep breaths regulate their nervous system, but loudly roaring as they exhale makes them feel confident, empowered, and at ease. 😌 Here’s how: 1: Take a deep breath in 😯 2: Exhale and let out a loud RAWWWR 🦁 3: Repeat a few times 🫶 4: Laugh, smile, and feel calm ☺️ Exercises like this will help teach children mindfulness and coping skills to regulate their emotions for years to come! 🫶 #bigfeelings #toddler #meltdowns #childanxiety #sensoryseeking

5 accounts to follow for Autism Awareness 👇👇 Whether your child is neurodivergent or neurotypical these accounts are educational, relatable and inspiring! Here are a few of my favorites 🤗🤗 🌈 @autismlittlelearners 🫶 @deniseandlj ☺️ @_kae_hope_ 💕 @mrsspeechiep 🌴 @autismspectrumadventures Please tag your favorite creators in the comments so we can follow them as well! 🫶🫶🫶