Parents Calm Down Toolkit (5-11)

Section 1 — Why children have big emotions — the amygdala, the thinking brain going offline, the window of tolerance. Written in plain parent language, no jargon.

Section 2 — The co-regulation script — a 7-step table to print and stick inside a cupboard door. The "borrow your calm" concept laid out practically.

Section 3 — 7 strategies — box breathing, 5-4-3-2-1 grounding, feelings body scan

Section 4 — Feelings wheel — a colour-coded table across 5 emotion families (happy, sad, angry, scared, calm)

Section 5 — Body check-in poster — printable page with 6 body-based questions and a prompt for what the body needs.

Section 6 — What to avoid — a two-column table of common instincts vs. why they escalate, plus a compassionate reframe for parents.

Section 7 — When to seek support — clear bullet criteria and signposting to school, GP, Anna Freud, and Young Minds.