As a pediatric occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how overwhelming big feelings can be for children. Whether it’s a meltdown in the grocery store, refusal to transition at school, or bedtime battles, emotional dysregulation is something all kids experience at some point. But what if we could give them tools to navigate those moments confidently instead of being frustrated?

That’s why I created the 40 Calming Cards for Kids—a simple, evidence-based resource that helps children build emotional regulation skills in a playful, empowering way.

Why Emotional Regulation Matters

Emotional regulation is the ability to manage and respond to emotional experiences in a socially appropriate and flexible way. It develops gradually and is heavily influenced by a child’s environment, sensory processing abilities, and caregivers’ co-regulation.

Without strong self-regulation skills, children may struggle to focus in school, build healthy relationships, fall asleep at night, or recover from stress. Over time, chronic dysregulation can lead to anxiety, oppositional behavior, and low self-esteem.

The good news? Emotional regulation can be taught, and it’s never too early to start.

The Science Behind Calming Strategies: A Polyvagal Perspective

When we talk about regulation, we can’t ignore the nervous system. Dr. Stephen Porges’s polyvagal theory provides a powerful framework for understanding why some children respond to stress with fight, flight, or shut-down behaviors.

According to this theory, the vagus nerve acts as a superhighway of communication between the brain and body. It helps determine whether we feel safe and connected or need to protect ourselves.

Children who have trouble regulating their emotions are often stuck in survival mode, bouncing between high arousal (hyperactivity, meltdowns, aggression) and low arousal (shut-down, withdrawal, fatigue). By activating the ventral vagal system, which is associated with feelings of safety and calm, we can help them return to a regulated state.

This is where calming strategies come in.

Deep breathing, rhythmic movement, heavy work, visualization, and positive self-talk stimulate the vagus nerve and support regulation. When practiced consistently, these strategies strengthen the nervous system’s flexibility and resilience—key components of emotional well-being.

What Are Calming Cards for Kids?

Calming cards are visual and tactile tools that guide children through self-regulation techniques. Each card in the set includes:

• A clear, child-friendly calming strategy
• A visual cue or playful illustration
• Simple language that encourages independence

These cards serve as external organizers, meaning they help children access coping strategies even when their internal system feels chaotic. They’re ideal for use at home, in classrooms, therapy sessions, and even on the go.

How Calming Cards Support Development

1. Visual support: Many children (especially those with sensory processing challenges, ADHD, or autism) benefit from visual reminders. The calming cards offer an accessible, non-verbal prompt to help kids reorient and refocus.
2. Promotes independence. Instead of relying solely on adults for help, kids begin to recognize what they can do to calm themselves. That’s powerful.
3. Encourages Practice Regulation takes repetition. Having calming cards nearby increases the chances of practicing strategies regularly, before a meltdown hits.
4. Co-Regulation Tool Adults can use the cards with children, modeling each strategy and creating moments of connection. This is the heart of co-regulation.
5. Building a Routine Using calming cards as part of a daily check-in or quiet time can build consistent habits that children carry into adolescence and beyond.

Who Can Benefit From Calming Cards?

These calming cards are ideal for:

• Preschoolers and elementary-aged kids
• Children with sensory processing challenges
• Kids with ADHD or autism
• Anxious or highly sensitive children
• Any child learning how to name, express, and manage their feelings

They’re also a helpful tool for:

• Parents
• Teachers
• Occupational therapists
• School counselors
• Child psychologists

Real-Life Ways to Use Calming Cards

• Morning routine support – Choose a calming card before school to start the day grounded.
• Classroom calm corner – Let students pick a card when they need a break or brain reset.
• Bedtime wind-down – Use the cards as part of your nightly routine to soothe the nervous system.
• Therapy sessions – Use them to practice sensory strategies or introduce coping skills.
• Travel and transitions – Bring the cards in the car or backpack to ease change and unpredictability.

Sample Cards You’ll Find in the Set

Here’s a sneak peek at a few of the strategies you’ll find in the 40 Calming Cards for Kids:

• “Smell the flower, blow out the candle” – a simple deep breathing exercise
• “Stretch like a cat” – gentle movement to release tension
• “Wrap up like a burrito” – proprioceptive input for comfort
• “Squeeze and release” – muscle tension and relaxation
• “Say something kind to yourself” – building inner dialogue
• “Imagine floating on a cloud” – guided visualization

Each strategy is evidence-informed and rooted in sensory integration and self-regulation practices used in pediatric occupational therapy.

Empowering Kids to Calm with Confidence

Children face more stress and sensory overload in today’s fast-paced world than ever. Equipping them with tools to understand and manage their bodies and emotions is not just a therapeutic strategy—it’s a life skill.

Calming cards combine neuroscience, playfulness, and visual support to give children a way to connect to their inner calm, no matter what life throws at them.

Ready to Add Calming Cards to Your Toolkit?

Introducing the 40 Calming Cards for Kids—designed by a pediatric OT to help children thrive. These beautifully illustrated, research-informed cards offer simple, actionable strategies for emotional regulation. Whether you’re a parent, therapist, or educator, this set is your go-to resource for supporting kids through life’s big feelings.

✨ Easy to use ✨ Perfect for home, school, or therapy ✨ Kid-approved and therapist-designed

Empower your child to feel calm, confident, and in control.

Grab your calming cards today and help your child turn overwhelm into peace.