For the grownup

How to help a child when feelings get big

This free pack is a story for storms of anger, sadness, worry, or overwhelm (ages 3–9). Read it after a hard moment, or practice before one happens. The feeling is weather, not who the child is, and they do not have to handle it alone.

What the pack actually walks through

  1. 1.Notice that a feeling can start small and grow fast. The bigger cloud is still weather.
  2. 2.Read body clues: a hot face, squeezing hands, a loud voice. These are clues the body is having a big feeling — not badness.
  3. 3.Sit close. Even when feelings are huge, the child is still themselves. A grownup can help them stay safe while the feeling moves through.
  4. 4.Help the body first: breathe slowly, press feet into the floor, squeeze a pillow, or take space in a quiet spot. Body first, then words.
  5. 5.When the body is a little calmer, try words such as “I felt mad because…” Ready means calmer, not perfect.
  6. 6.After the weather passes: fix what needs fixing, have water, and rest. Big feelings do not last forever. The child is still themselves.

Co-regulate before you problem-solve. Kids can't use insight while flooded. A line from the parent script: I'm here. You're safe. We can handle this together. Feeling mad is okay; hurting people or things is not the plan. You can make a calm-kit box together: pillow, water bottle, paper, and one quiet toy.

Wonder Together

Wonder Situations · Parent-led pack

When Feelings Get Big

A story for storms of anger, sadness, or overwhelm.

Ages 3–9 · After a hard moment, or to practice before one happens.

Field-guide scene: When Feelings Get Big

A read-aloud story. Words to try. Room for your child.

Read it first. Keep what feels right.

The first parent page

Start before the busy moment.

Choose a quiet time to look at the story together. Let your child point, ask, or simply listen.

After a hard moment, or to practice before one happens.

Page 1 of 6

Field-guide scene: Feelings can grow fast

Feelings can grow fast

Sometimes a feeling starts small and then gets very big. Anger, sadness, worry, and frustration can all do this. The feeling is weather, not who you are.

Point together

  • A small cloud can grow.
  • The bigger cloud is still weather.
  • The feeling is weather, not who you are.

Page 2 of 6

Field-guide scene: Your body gives clues

Your body gives clues

Your face may get hot. Your hands may squeeze. Your voice may get loud. These are clues your body is having a big feeling — not badness.

Point together

  • Warm cheeks.
  • Hands that squeeze.
  • Clues, not badness.

Page 3 of 6

Field-guide scene: You are still you

You are still you

Even when feelings are big, you are still you. A grownup can sit close and help you stay safe while the feeling moves through. You do not have to handle this alone.

Point together

  • The quiet circle around both of you.
  • Sitting close is the help.
  • You do not have to handle this alone.

Page 4 of 6

Field-guide scene: Ways to help your body

Ways to help your body

First we help your body. We can breathe slowly, press our feet into the floor, squeeze a pillow, or take space in a quiet spot. Body first, then words.

Point together

  • Feet on the floor.
  • A pillow to squeeze.
  • Body first, then words.

Page 5 of 6

Field-guide scene: Words when you are ready

Words when you are ready

When your body feels a little calmer, we can use words: 'I felt mad because…' Words help grownups understand. You can start when you are ready, not while the weather is still huge.

Point together

  • First the body, then the words.
  • You can start with 'I felt…'
  • Ready means calmer, not perfect.

Page 6 of 6

Field-guide scene: Repair and rest

Repair and rest

After a big feeling, we can fix what needs fixing, have water, and rest. Big feelings do not last forever. The weather passes, and you are still you.

Point together

  • Water.
  • Rest after the weather passes.
  • You are still you.

Keep these pages for you

Grownup pages

Parent script

  • I'm here. You're safe. We can handle this together.
  • First we help your body, then we talk.
  • Feeling mad is okay. Hurting people or things is not the plan.

Try it together

Make a 'calm kit' box together: pillow, water bottle, paper, and one quiet toy.

Parent note

Co-regulate before you problem-solve. Kids can't use insight while flooded.