Helping Kids manage big feelings…..and with the delay and a bit of uncertaintly around back to school for 2022 there’s definitely some BIG feelings happening in our house at the moment. #relate?
We thought this would be a great time to introduce you to Brave and Able ®. Not only are these two very cute and cuddly, they’re also a great tool to help kids take charge of their brains and encourage slow, strong breathing that will help them calm down and take control of an anxious or stressful situation.
The built in light in the tummies of Brave and Able ® slowly turns on and off to encourage those nice, slow, deep calming breaths that help kids get out of that fight, flight or freeze response and instead tell our body that it is safe and to rest and digest. Isn’t that a great phrase “rest and digest” – I love that. You can read more about the science behind Brave and Able here
I’ve got a 9 year old and a 3 year old and it’s been fascinating (and a big relief) to watch how these work. My 9 year old occasionally suffers from anxiety which flares up particularly when she’s over tired or nervous about something. Previously we’ve used the “Lazy 8” breathing technique to help her calm down and Brave and Able® work very much in the same way. It’s all about learning to recognise when you need to stop, take five and come up for air.
My youngest is well and truly a threenager who gets easily frustrated at the moment and does not mind chucking a good tanty! I’ve found it really hard to communicate with her at these times. Her breathing buddy Brave has been a very useful for helping her stop and breathe and to move past those big emotions, calm down, and be able to talk to me about what she needs. It’s also an excellent night light at bedtime. The soft glow from Brave’s tummy has helped her get to sleep. He’s a pretty handy friend to have around actually.
Brave and Able are fully portable and not reliant on wifi which means they can go anywhere and work at any time. In the car, on holidays, to Grandmas for a sleepover. You’ll just need 2 x AAA batteries and you’re good to go.
It’s also an S.A owned business! Adelaide Mum Zara researched and spoke with children’s psychologists and educators on the approaches they took to help children develop coping skills and through this research Brave and Able were born.
Zara explains, “I want kids (and parents!) to realise that being brave is not about not being afraid – it’s about having that fear and feeling able to give it a go anyway. Even if the bravest thing to do is to tell their friends that they actually don’t feel ready to join in that game today. Saying ‘no, I don’t want to’ or ‘no, I’m not ready to try that’ is also very brave!”
Buy Brave and Able ® seperately or in a Buddy Pack online at www.braveandable.com.au
IG @braveandable
FB @braveandable
We received Brave and Able free of charge for the purpose of this review however as for all reviews from Kids in Adelaide the above is honest and in our own words.
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