Hey {{first_name}}
Have you ever tried to help your child calm down or regulate… and they immediately say no?
It can feel frustrating especially when you know the strategy could help.
But here’s the thing:
Sometimes it’s not the strategy they’re rejecting… it’s the general demand.
When kids are overwhelmed, direct approaches can feel like pressure.
So instead of going head-on, we can try a different way in.
✨ Enter through the “side door”
Instead of saying:
“Let’s do a calming strategy” or “do you want to take a deep breath?”
We shift to something more indirect, playful, and low-pressure.
✨ What this looks like in real life
Turn the strategy into play
Most kids won’t say yes to a “strategy”… but they’ll say yes to a game.
Instead of:
“Take deep breaths”
Try:
“Let’s blow out birthday candles 🎂”
“Can you make the biggest dragon breath?”
Instead of:
“Do some movement”
Try:
“Let’s stomp like dinosaurs to the couch”
“Can you crash into this pillow like a superhero?”
End results? They’re trying the strategy without even knowing it!
Remove the pressure to participate
Ironically, kids are more likely to join in when they feel like they don’t have to.
Try:
“I’m going to do this, you can watch if you want.”
“You don’t have to join, I’ll just be over here.”
When pressure drops, curiosity increases. Especially if more family members get involved. Be totally chill about it, and you’ll be surprised!
🍽️ Picky Eating Support: 3 sensory games to try
Just like with regulation strategies, picky eaters participate more when things feel playful and low-pressure.
Here are 3 simple sensory games you can try:
✨ 1. Dry Sensory Bin
If your child avoids messy textures, start with something easier like: rice, pasta, cereal, oats. Hide small toys or safe foods inside and let them explore with their hands or tools.
💡 Dry textures feel more predictable and are often better tolerated than wet or sticky ones. Once your child is comfortable with dry sensory bins, you can introduce wet sensory bins like shaving cream and applesauce.
✨ 2. “Food Detective” Game
Pick a food and explore it together:
What color is it? What are some other foods that have the same color?
Is it crunchy or soft?
Does it smell sweet or salty?
How many bites does it take to swallow? (You can try this bit first, and see if they’re willing to try it after).
No pressure to eat! Just observe and describe.
✨ 3. Build & Play with food
Use food to create something:
stack crackers or cucumbers
make faces with fruit and veg
build towers or shapes with toothpicks
This helps kids interact with food in a fun, safe way. Play builds familiarity. Familiarity builds comfort. And comfort is what leads to trying new foods.
Pinterest has loads of ideas that I use for my sessions, so make sure to check them out!
P.S. quick heads-up…
The waitlist for my new 1:1 Parent Coaching opens at the beginning of next week.
This is for parents who are tired of generic advice and want a clear, personalized plan for things like: sensory needs, big feelings/meltdowns, transitions, routines, picky eating, and everyday participation challenges.
If you want first access before I share it publicly, just hit reply with WAITLIST and I’ll make sure you get the link as soon as it’s live.
(And if you already replied to last week’s email with what you’re struggling with, thank you. I’ve been reading every response and it’s shaping this in the best way.)
See you next week,
Effie
