Just a few minutes in the sensory swing can make a huge difference for my kiddos! It helps regulate their nervous system, boosts their mood, and resets the tone for the day. You’d never guess from this video, but just minutes earlier they were arguing! We quickly shifted gears to the swing and played a game we call “wrecking ball,” which gets them both engaged and laughing together in no time. Here’s why the sensory swing works so well: 🤗 Self-Regulation: The calming, rhythmic motion helps soothe the nervous system, making it easier for kids to navigate emotions and feel more in control. They can also do this independently and seek it out when they need it! 🤪 Sensory Integration: It provides proprioceptive input (deep pressure) and vestibular input (movement and balance), which support body awareness, coordination, and overall sensory processing. 🧠 Focus and Attention: Once their sensory needs are met, kids can tune out distractions and focus better on tasks and play. If you have a little sensory seeker, you won’t regret getting a sensory swing! 🫶🫶
thecalmcaterpillar.com
Aug 23, 2025Instagram
Meet Rory Junior 🦁 one of our newest calming companions! All kids have moments of excess energy, big angry outbursts, and even physical aggression—it’s totally normal and part of their development. But it’s so important to start teaching them healthy ways to release those emotions. That’s where Rory Jr. comes in. He teaches kids a simple but powerful breathing technique called Lion’s Breath: 🌸 Inhale to “smell the flower” 🦁 Exhale with a big, loud lion’s roar It helps release that intense energy out of their bodies, leaving them feeling calmer and more in control! If your child struggles with big emotions, this is a fun and effective way to help them learn emotional regulation. Comment “ROAR” for the link! 🦁
thecalmcaterpillar.com
Aug 21, 2025Instagram
These are a few of the changes we made with both of our kids around 2.5 years old! 😴 We didn’t plan them out—they just kind of unfolded as our kids grew and their needs shifted: • Removed the sound machine because it started bothering them, especially our more sensory sensitive child. • Ditched the blackout curtains since they no longer wanted to sleep in complete darkness. • Transitioned from crib to floor bed—they felt trapped and started seeking more independence in their space. • Began laying with them until they were fully asleep—no more sneaking out while they were drowsy. • Separation anxiety kicked in big time, and they just couldn’t let us leave the room. It’s easy to assume sleep should get more “independent” with age, but sometimes toddlers need more connection and comfort than ever. And that’s okay. 🫶🫶 Btw our floor bed is from @simplysori and we absolutely love it because it keeps them contained while also giving them a sense of independence! 🤗🤗
thecalmcaterpillar.com
Aug 20, 2025Instagram
Have you been on a similar journey with your child? ☺️ Looking back, the signs were always there—little clues in how our daughter interacted with the world around her. From the way she craved texture and movement to how she calmed after sensory-rich play, it became clear she was a sensory seeker. At first, we didn’t think much of it. She just liked swinging a lot. Or didn’t like wearing shoes. But over time, a pattern emerged. Understanding that she needed more sensory input than other kids her age helped us show up for her in more supportive ways. Every child processes the world differently. It’s not about labeling them—it’s about meeting their needs. And the more we understand what’s behind their behaviors, the better we can support them! 🫶🫶
thecalmcaterpillar.com
Aug 20, 2025Instagram
Comment “book” for the link! 🌸 I wrote this book from experience with my own deeply feeling child, who can have really intense reactions and aggressive behaviors (like hitting, pushing, and biting). This is what the story is all about! 👇 When a playtime scuffle with a friend leaves Bloomie enraged, she discovers a simple way to pause, regulate her emotions, and feel better. This book teaches children the Flower & Candle Breathing technique—inhale to smell the flower, exhale to blow out the candle. Through this engaging story, kids learn when and how to use this calming exercise during moments of stress or overwhelm, helping them navigate big feelings and develop coping skills for years to come. I hope you love it as much as we do! 🫶
thecalmcaterpillar.com
Aug 18, 2025Instagram
Deep Breathing Toy for Kids
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Aug 18, 2025Meta Ads
After-School Restraint Collapse is a fancy term for the way children melt down and crumble to pieces after coming home from school. 🤯 This is common for young children and it is due to their sense of being overwhelmed, overstimulated, tired, hungry, and finally being in a safe place where they feel like they can fully express their emotions. 😟 The more we understand about why they’re acting this way, and what we can do to assist them through this transition, the better the household mood will be for the rest the evening! 🤗 Here a few ideas on how you can set up an environment for your child to release these big emotions and give them space to unwind immediately after school: ⛺️ Create a Sensory Den such as a tent or fort! We use the Nugget from @nuggetcomfort to create a small space where my daughter can feel safe and cozy. 💜 Provide sensory toys or a weighted plush toy like Flutter the Dragonfly, to offer calming deep pressure input. 👉👉 Comment “Flutter” and I’ll DM you the link! 🔗🔗 🍎 Prepare a big snack for them, and ideally have it ready the moment they walk in the door. 📚 Provide some type of activity for them to enjoy independently. This could be drawing, reading, listening to a podcast, or watching a low stimulation show/ movie. Additional unwind activities may include playing on a playground, going for a hike, doing a water activity outside, making a craft, or taking a warm bath. Discovering the right calm down activity for your child, depends on their interests and sensory preferences! Give this a try and let me know it helps reduce your child’s after-school meltdowns! 💚
thecalmcaterpillar.com
Aug 17, 2025Instagram
Learn how to confidently support autistic kids without pressure, power struggles, or compliance-driven methods! Join us for The Child-Led Autism Summit: August 18–20, 2025. 👉👉 Comment “child led” for the registration link. This FREE 3-day event is packed with sessions from 30+ neuroaffirming experts who’ll help you move from pressure to partnership; from performance to connection; and from uncertainty to confidence. This virtual event is for SLPs and SLPAs, Occupational Therapists, Special Educators/ Paraprofessionals, and Parents/ Caregivers! Because when we follow our autistic students’ lead, everything changes! We hope you to see you there! 🫶🫶
thecalmcaterpillar.com
Aug 15, 2025Instagram
🚨 Attention all teachers, administrators, and parents: comment “back to school” to apply for our calm corner giveaway! One school district will receive up to 75 Calm Caterpillar Classroom Kits—enough to bring a calm, supportive space to every classroom from Preschool through 3rd grade. Each kit includes: 🐛 2 Calmee plush toys – deep breathing & sensory support 🌸 2 Bloomie breathing tools – flower & candle breathing exercise 📘 1 Curriculum guide – mindfulness activities for every day 🔵 2 Expandable breathing balls – visual tool for slowing down 🖐 1 Hand-breathing + emotions poster – identify feelings & calm down How to enter: Comment “Back to School” below and we’ll DM you the application link. Fill out the short form telling us about your school. 📅 Entries close TONIGHT, 8/14 at midnight ET! The winner will be contacted tomorrow, on 8/15. Let’s bring calm to every classroom. 🤗
thecalmcaterpillar.com
Aug 14, 2025Instagram
🥳 Mindful Play Back-to-School GIVEAWAY 🥳 Want to start the school year with more calm, focus, and connection? To thank you for being here, we’ve teamed up with four incredible brands to bring you easy, mindful, screen-free playthings your child will LOVE! What you’ll get: ⭐ Mini Yoga Club – Yoga Play Kit Africa ⭐ Calm Caterpillar – Calmee & Bloomie ⭐ Poppyseed Play – Wooden Balance Board ⭐ The Mindset Tapestry – Mindset Tapestry ⭐ The Little Potion Co – Moon Magic Mindful Potion kit & Heart of an adventurer Potion pouch Support your child’s emotional regulation, focus, and confidence. 💛 Ready to enter? All you have to do👇 1. Follow @miniyogaclub @thecalmcaterpillar @poppyseed.play @thelittlepotionco @themindsettapestry on Instagram 2. Like and Share this post to your stories (must be a public account or send us a screenshot if private) 3. Tag a friend in the comment below and get EXTRA entry for each friend you tag 💛 Giveaway ends on 08/18/25 at 9:00 AM. One winners will be randomly selected. Winner will be announced in the post comments and via DM on 08/18/2025. Must be a US resident, 18 years or older to enter.
thecalmcaterpillar.com
Aug 13, 2025Instagram
Of course I wanted to ask my daughter a million questions about her first day of pre-K when I picked her up! Like “Did you have fun? Did you make any new friends? How do you like your new teacher?” 🗣️🗣️ I was so eager to hear every little detail. But I had to bite my tongue, because I know that sometimes questions like these can feel overwhelming, especially after such a big, emotionally charged day! 🤐 Instead, I offered simple, open-ended statements that might invite conversation without pressure—things like, “I hope you had a great first day,” or “Your new teacher seems really nice.” Just gentle openings, so she could choose if and when to share. 🤗 I’m trying to be mindful of how much information, stimulation, and emotion kids process during back-to-school transitions, especially in those early days. ❤️ Sometimes they just need time to decompress, regulate, and feel safe before they’re ready to open up. And that’s okay. 🫶🫶
thecalmcaterpillar.com
Aug 13, 2025Instagram
Does your school need some tools to help teach children how to regulate their emotions?! 🍎🐛 ✨ Apply to Win $10K in Calm Corner Kits! ✨ Teachers, Administrators, Therapist or Parents can apply on behalf of their school! One school district will receive up to 75 Calm Caterpillar Classroom Kits—enough to bring a calm, supportive space to every classroom from Preschool through 3rd grade. Each kit includes: 🐛 2 Calmee plush toys – deep breathing & sensory support 🌸 2 Bloomie breathing tools – flower & candle breathing exercise 📘 1 Curriculum guide – mindfulness activities for every day 🔵 2 Expandable breathing balls – visual tool for slowing down 🖐 1 Hand-breathing + emotions poster – identify feelings & calm down How to enter: Comment “Back to School” below and we’ll DM you the application link. Fill out the short form telling us about your school. 📅 Entries close 8/14. One winner will be contacted on 8/15. Let’s bring calm to every classroom. 🤗
thecalmcaterpillar.com
Aug 11, 2025Instagram
Back to school with a deeply feeling child can be challenging.. 🥹 Remember to be patient, stay calm, and show up with love. You’ve got this. 🫶🫶
thecalmcaterpillar.com
Aug 10, 2025Instagram
Deep Breathing Toy for Kids
thecalmcaterpillar.com
Aug 10, 2025Meta Ads
Back-to-school transitions can be tough—especially for kids who struggle with separation anxiety. 💜 I’m so excited about this matching bracelet for my daughter! It gives her something to hold, fidget with, and feel connected when we’re apart. 🤗 Just a small, comforting tool that will hopefully made our mornings a little easier when she starts Pre-K next week. 🥹 I found it on Amazon by searching “back to school bracelet”. I’ll link it in my stories too! 🔗 You could also totally diy this or make a bracelet with ribbon or yarn! 🎀 💌 The paper that goes with it says: Here are two bracelets, For your first day of school I’ll wear the big one and I’ll think of you. The small one is yours, so you will think of me too. Wear it to school while you learn and play, my heart will be with you throughout the day. Save this post if you like the idea! 🫶🫶 #backtoschool #separationanxiety #backtoschoolprep
thecalmcaterpillar.com
Aug 9, 2025Instagram
Comment “Flutter” for the link to our 3 lb weighted Dragonfly! 💜💜 My daughter craves deep pressure sensory input more than anything! She loves curling up in a small space and getting squished or squeezed. Flutter the Dragonfly gives her that comforting weight she needs, like a firm hug that helps her settle. The evenly distributed pressure is just right, and it’s quickly becoming one of her go-to coping tools. The Chunk from @nuggetcomfort provides the perfect cozy space for her to curl up and calm down! The foam sides gently compress her body when she sits inside it. Deep pressure input promotes emotional regulation—and helps prevent unwanted behaviors such as seeking it out in unsafe ways. 🫶🫶
thecalmcaterpillar.com
Aug 8, 2025Instagram
Homepage change from The Calm Caterpillar
thecalmcaterpillar.com
Aug 7, 2025Homepage
Wondering if your child is craving more deep pressure sensory input?! 🙂 Here are some common signs: 👉 Seeks out small, enclosed spaces 👉 Enjoys being squeezed or squished 👉 Crashes onto cushions or into furniture 👉 Leans heavily into people or objects 👉 Pushes feet into people or furniture 👉 Loves being tossed in the air These behaviors are ways kids self-regulate through deep pressure input—a calming sensory experience that helps their nervous system feel more organized and secure. Tips to support your sensory seeker: 👉 Create a cozy corner with the Chunk from @nuggetcomfort to provide compression in a small space 👉 Use a weighted plush toy like Flutter for comforting input 👉 Offer “pillow sandwiches” by gently pressing them between couch cushions 👉 Roll a therapy ball over their back, arms, or legs for calming input 👉 Let them push or pull heavy objects like laundry baskets or toy bins Try some of these and see what works best for your kiddo! 🫶🫶
thecalmcaterpillar.com
Aug 7, 2025Instagram
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