The Calm Caterpillar

Feeling the energy in your classroom ramp up? 🤪You’re not alone. And it doesn’t have to stay that way.

Join us LIVE for: 5 Neuro-Affirming Strategies for a Calm Classroom

This session is designed for educators who want real, doable ways to support regulation, without adding more to their plate.

We’ll cover:
- How to recognize what dysregulation is really communicating
- Simple shifts that help prevent overwhelm before it starts
- Easy, classroom-friendly strategies that support all learners
- Ways to build a calmer environment without relying on control or compliance

🗓 April 20th
⏰ 6 pm CT / 7 pm ET
🎤 With Tara Phillips () & Sarah Habib (The Calm Caterpillar)

Plus… join us live for a chance to win our new Mindfulness Guide!

👉 Comment “Join Live” and we’ll send it your way!

Save this for later and tag a teacher who would love this

There’s a lot of confusion around autism and sensory seeking, and I think part of what makes it so hard is that they can look really similar on the surface.

Sensory seekers are kids who crave input to help their bodies feel regulated. Movement, pressure, touch, sound. It’s their nervous system’s way of finding balance.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference that can include sensory needs, but also impacts communication, social interaction, behavior, and often includes stimming as a way to regulate or communicate internal experience.

Because of that overlap, it can be hard to tell what you’re seeing in the moment.

What I always come back to is that autistic kids have helped shape so much of what we now understand about regulation.

Things like movement breaks, deep pressure, predictable routines, and sensory supports aren’t just “autism strategies.” They’re nervous system supports. And they can be incredibly helpful for sensory seekers too.

At the same time, diagnosis matters. If a child is autistic, getting clarity can open the door to early intervention and support that can be truly life changing.

The goal is to stay curious about what your child’s nervous system is asking for, and respond in a way that helps them feel more regulated. 🫶🫶

Never underestimate the power of reading to your child to improve their behavior! 📘

If you’re dealing with meltdowns, hitting, separation anxiety, or big emotions - these books can be powerful tools to help your child and give you language and strategies to support them through it.

Here are a few of my go-to favorites:

🪄 The Magical Yet: helps build frustration tolerance + resilience. We are actually reading this in the photo!

🌸 A Story About Bloomie: teaches deep breathing, regulation, and conflict resolution. P.S. I wrote this one 💛 you can find it at the link in my bio!

🚒 That’s My Truck: supports hitting, sibling dynamics, and connection before correction

🧵The Invisible String: strengthens connection and eases separation anxiety

🫶 Leave Me Alone: amazing for deeply feeling kids! supports meltdowns, de-escalation, and co-regulation by

These stories meet kids right where they are AND help us caregivers show up with more calm, clarity, and confidence.

Save this post 📌 or screenshot the covers and upload them to Google Image Lens to find where to buy near you (all are also available on Amazon in the US)!

Hope this helps 🤍

Toy Fair was such a good reminder of why we do this!! 🐛

We had hundreds of conversations with parents, retailers, therapists, and educators - and the themes were consistent:

“I wish we had this sooner.”
“My niece needs this.”
“These should be in every preschool.”
“Wow… I feel calmer already.”

It’s incredibly encouraging to see these tools connecting with so many people who care deeply about kids and emotional regulation.

If you stopped by and shared your story with us - thank you!! 🫶🫶

Guiding kids through sensory-seeking behaviors with patience and positive alternatives helps them satisfy their needs and regulate their emotions!

Here are some examples of how to redirect while validating their needs!

Follow for more 🫶🫶

As I reflect back on this year, I wanted to highlight some of the moments that really stood out with my daughter’s growth!

I know this account often focuses on the behaviors we’re navigating or working on—but I really wanted to take a moment to celebrate how far she’s come.

These aren’t necessarily major milestones. We are still working on learning how to read, swim and ride a bike,
but I’m so proud to see the progress she’s made mentally, socially, and emotionally. She’s worked so hard!! 👏👏

As you think back on this year with your own child, what were some of the behaviors that you’ve seen progress, or the areas where you’ve seen real growth since last year? 🫶🫶

Ps. I’m also really proud of my son and all the ways he’s grown and things he’s learned this year! He has increased his vocabulary, emotional intelligence and ability to play independently! ❤️❤️