Little Kids in Big Spaces: Why Taking Little Kids Out in Public Feels So Hard (and What Helps)
Emily Humphries, OTD, OTR/L If you were to ask me what the hardest part of having little kids is…The answer would come instantly: leaving the house. Think: the grocery store, any restaurant, any “quick” errand...suddenly takes 15 extra steps and 45 minutes. As an occupational therapist-and a mom of three little kids- I know I’m not the only mom who feels this way. At home, kids know what to expect. (and little kids thrive on predictability.) When we leave the house, kids face new expectations, unfamiliar sensory stimuli, and less-familiar stressors, like parking lots. Kids know what to expect in their own environment-and so do we. When we leave the house, kids face new anxieties that can make their behavior less-than-ideal. This can make any simple outing feel overwhelming (for you and your kids). Here are a few tips for navigating outings with little kids, without losing your cool: Set your expectations lower. Then lower them again. Take a minute to consider if the expectations that you’re holding for your little are developmentally appropriate. Ask yourself, “is my child’s brain capable of what I am asking of them right now?” Often, the answer to that question is “no.” Kids’ brains start to develop the capacity for impulse control around 3.5 years. Impulse control gets a little bit stronger around 4 years, but it really takes until 6 to solidify. In an unfamiliar environment, when a child’s brain is already working hard to stay regulated, impulse control skills might be even less available than usual. That’s important to keep in mind-because some of the most stressful behaviors that little kids display outside of the house are rooted in a lack of impulse control. Things like running into a parking lot, grabbing a colorful box at the grocery store, or bumping into a stranger. Keep in mind that outings are an opportunity to practice impulse control, but that mistakes are a hugely important part of the learning process. When your little one makes a mistake, take a deep breath and put on your teaching hat. Remember, teaching them how to do it differently next time is the goal. Consider who you are parenting for. When I first became a mom, I realized that I cared A LOT about what other people thought of my parenting. The sideways glances in the grocery store while my twins sang songs in the cart would make my heart race. It took time for me to make an important cognitive shift: other people’s opinions are not my business. When we go out in public, I remind myself that I am parenting for myself and my family, not for the opinions of others. That means that I make parenting decisions based on: what my kids need in the moment, and what will teach them how to navigate the setting we are in. Sometimes, that means letting them have a crunchy snack in the grocery store to help them stay regulated. Sometimes, it means allowing my kids to take up space in an age-appropriate way (singing while riding in the grocery cart isn’t illegal, after all). Kids need opportunities to learn socially appropriate behavior, and they’ll never learn if we don’t give them the opportunity to make mistakes. When you take your kids out and about this summer, remember that their brains are working overtime to learn the expectations of a new environment. And mistakes are an important part of the learning process. Frequently Asked Questions: “How can I help my child develop impulse-control?” Impulse control is an executive functioning skill that requires a certain amount of development in the pre-frontal cortex before kids can access it. That sounds pretty technical, but what it ultimately means is that kids need a lot of impulse-control practice in safe environments. Especially between ages 3-6 years. Playing games that require waiting, taking turns, and following simple instructions is one of the best ways to help kids develop impulse control.
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Supporting Emotional Regulation in Children Over the Summer
Advice for creating structure, connection, and calm during a less structured season Dr. Jamie Schrager, PsyDLicensed Clinical Psychologist Summer often feels like a relief from the pressures of the school year. But for many kids, it can also be surprisingly dysregulating. Without the structure and predictability of school, many families reach out to me looking for support, reporting that their children have become more irritable, clingy, reactive, or easily overwhelmed. That does not necessarily mean something is wrong. More often, it means a child is adjusting to a season filled with more freedom and less routine. Build Rhythm, Not Rigidity Children do not need every moment planned, but research shows that they do benefit from knowing what to expect. Consistent wake-up times, meals, outside time, downtime, and bedtime routines can significantly help a child feel more secure and grounded. A visual calendar that provides an overall map of summer, as well as information about any upcoming travel or big events is also a very helpful tool. Expect Transitions to Be Harder Transitions can be especially challenging in summer, whether it is ending screen time, leaving an activity, or adjusting to a parent working from home. Preparing children ahead of time, giving simple warnings, and building in small routines around transitions can help them shift more successfully. Prioritize Connection It is easy to move quickly into correction when you're feeling overwhelmed. But children regulate better when they feel connected first. Even brief moments of focused attention, warmth, or validation can help lower the emotional intensity of the day. Look at the Basics Regulation gets harder when children are tired, hungry, overstimulated, or getting too much screen time and not enough movement. What looks like misbehavior is often a sign that a child’s system is overloaded. Remember that Parents Need Support Too Children borrow regulation from the adults around them. That does not mean parents need to be calm all the time. It means that repair matters. Coming back after a hard moment, reconnecting, and trying again teaches children a great deal. The Takeaway Summer doesn't need to be perfectly structured to go well. But children tend to do best when they have enough predictability, connection, and support to help them manage the shift. If your child seems more emotional or reactive during the summer months, you are not alone. A little structure, a little flexibility, and a lot of connection can make a meaningful difference.
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Raising Inclusive Kids
Dr. Emily Humphries, OTD, OTR/L “MOM, WHAT’S THAT?!” she says (at full volume), pointing at a child using a wheelchair. And suddenly, you’re giving an on-the-spot lesson about disability, kindness, and inclusion—while quietly hoping you say the right thing. Kids are naturally perceptive and curious-and how we respond to these moments of curiosity matters. When we shut down these conversations, kids don’t stop noticing differences. They just fill in the gaps on their own-sometimes with discomfort or fear. Instead of teaching kids to tip-toe around the topic of disability, we can take advantage of these everyday moments to build understanding and inclusivity. Here are a few strategies that grown-ups can use to raise kids who value diversity and inclusion: Use Neutral, Matter-of-Fact Language Keep it direct and neutral. It’s okay to say back: “That’s called a wheelchair. Some people walk, and some people use a wheelchair to get where they want to go.” You might add: “Do you want to go say hi?” as you might with any child at the playground. This teaches kids that everyone moves through the world in their own unique way-and that mobility aids are simply a part of life. Try to avoid focusing the conversation on what others “can’t” do. Instead, emphasize that differences are a part of life. Use Stories to Build Understanding Books are a powerful way to cultivate empathy in kids. When children are exposed to characters with different abilities, they begin to understand new perspectives—and see that kids who are different are still kids-and potential friends. As you are reading, pause and ask: “How do you think they’re feeling?” “What would a good friend do in this situation?” To help build empathy and perspective. Model Inclusivity Kids learn how to respond to new situations by watching us. When we treat new situations with kindness and respect, kids learn to do the same. This can look like: Smiling or saying hi to new people. Prioritizing using respectful language. Normalizing differences by not staring When we model inclusivity and talk openly about differences, we teach kids something powerful: Everyone’s story is different, and that’s what makes us stronger.
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Thawing Out Screen Time: A Gentle Spring Reset for Families
Dr. Emily Humphries, OTD, OTR/L If you’ve googled “How much screen time is too much?” this week, millions of other parents are asking the same question. During Winter, the short days and cold weather lead to more time indoors - and more reliance on screens to get through the day. As Spring begins, it’s a chance to “thaw out” that habit and create a fresh rhythm. Here are 5 ways to naturally decrease your family’s screen time, without a battle. Add Before Subtracting Place the focus on what you are adding into your routine - a bike ride, regular trips to the playground or local zoo - rather than what you want to remove (extra time in front of the TV!). This looks like saying “Let’s eat breakfast and then go out for a walk!” instead of “We are not turning on the TV after breakfast.” When you lead with something positive, it’s easier for kids to get on board-and less likely to become a power struggle. Build a Simple After-School Routine The end of the school day is the easiest time to fall into old screen time habits. Create a predictable after-school rhythm, like: Snack and outside time Helping prep dinner A quick walk around the block. When kids know what to expect, they’re less likely to ask for a screen. Make a Simple Outside Bin Throw a few simple outside favorites together: Bubbles, balls, chalk, and maybe a bug catcher if you’re feeling brave. Having easy tools available for outside fun lowers the need to default to turning on a screen. Start with ONE Screen-Free Window Start small. Trying to eliminate screen time all at once can feel overwhelming and often leads to frustration for everyone. Instead, choose one window of the day to keep screen-free. Expect Pushback (and Keep Cool) Screens give kids’ brains a predictable dopamine boost, which means you will almost certainly see pushback when screens are less available. Kids find safety in consistent, predictable routines. As you build your spring routine to include less screen time, keep calm and consistent. Know that any big emotions that pop up are just a sign of a little brain adjusting to a new routine. Decreasing your family’s screen time doesn’t require a whole routine overhaul, just a few simple shifts in your family’s routine. As your family’s screentime thaws, everyone will settle into the new rhythm-one spring day at a time.
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A Nona's Storytime Story
We love hearing from the parents and grandparents who bring Supercrew into their homes. Here’s one grandma’s story about how reading the books together turned into a cherished tradition._ _ _ Dear Team Supercrew,I wanted to share a little story from my heart. I’ve been lucky enough to spend a lot of time babysitting my granddaughter, and I always look for ways to make our time together special. One afternoon, we tried reading a Team Supercrew book. From the first story, she was completely captivated. The characters made her laugh, the lessons made her think, and I could see her little wheels turning as we talked about bravery, calmness, grit, and kindness. Soon, it became our ritual. Every time I came over for a visit, she’d run to the bookshelf to grab her favorite stories. We’d curl up together and talk about what the characters were feeling, and, before I knew it, she was sharing her own feelings more openly with me (as much as a 2-year-old can). It amazed me how these books gave her words for the big emotions she was feeling. Eventually, I realized we needed our own set at my house. I didn’t want her to ever come over and not have her “friends” waiting for her. So I bought the box set, and now we have our own collection ready whenever she visits. Just recently, I surprised her with the plushies and capes. You should have seen her face! She immediately wanted to put on a cape and re-enact the stories... pretending to be brave like Benny or calm like Chloe. Watching her imagination take off, while also practicing important life skills, has been such a gift. It’s given us even more ways to connect, and it fills me with joy knowing she’s learning how to grow into a confident, resilient little person. As a grandmother, nothing makes me happier than knowing I’m helping nurture her heart while also making memories she’ll hold onto forever. With love,A Very Grateful Grandma (aka Nona)
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How to Support Your Child's Emotional Regulation During the Holiday Season
Albiona M. Rakipi The holiday season brings joy, excitement, and a lot of magical moments. But let’s be real: it also brings late nights, packed schedules, changes in routine, and the kind of chaos that can leave both parents and kids feeling emotionally overwhelmed. Here at Team Supercrew, we know that emotional regulation is a skill that needs extra support during busy times—and there’s no busier time than the holidays! So how can you help your child stay emotionally steady while still enjoying the festive season? We’ve got you covered. 1. Keep Predictability Where You Can Holidays often mean disrupted routines—later bedtimes, skipped naps, travel days, and new environments. While some of this is unavoidable, try to maintain a few key anchors in your child’s day. This could be a consistent wake-up time, a bedtime ritual, or a mealtime routine that stays the same no matter where you are. Kids thrive on predictability. When they know what to expect, it helps them feel safe—and when they feel safe, they regulate better. 2. Talk About What to Expect Before a holiday event, family gathering, or change in routine, talk it through with your child. Let them know who will be there, what will happen, and how long things might last. This gives their brain a map to follow and reduces the anxiety that comes with uncertainty. Not sure how to start? Use characters and scenarios from the Team Supercrew stories to make the conversation more engaging. Kids understand big feelings better when they see those feelings modeled in others. 3. Build in Quiet Time The holidays are full of stimulation: music, lights, guests, travel, sugar… it’s a lot! Make space for regular breaks where your child can slow down, rest, or simply play quietly. This isn’t about punishment or isolation—it’s about creating moments where their nervous system can reset. Even just 10 minutes of quiet play, reading, or cuddling with a parent can make a world of difference. 4. Validate the Big Feelings Your child may get overstimulated, tired, or overwhelmed—and that’s okay. The goal isn’t to avoid big feelings but to teach your child how to move through them. When a meltdown happens, try saying: “It’s okay to feel frustrated.” Or “I can see you’re really overwhelmed. Let’s take a breath together.” By naming and validating the emotion, you help your child understand it’s safe to feel and that they’re not alone. 5. Use Your Team Supercrew Tools Don’t forget to pull out your Team Supercrew SOS Kit or favorite storybook. These tools give your child a language for their emotions and strategies to move through them. Whether it’s Box Breathing with Super Calm or using Super Flex to try something new, these practices can bring calm to even the busiest holiday moments. 6. Take Care of You, Too Here’s something every parent needs to hear: your emotional regulation matters just as much. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, frazzled, or running on empty, your child will feel that energy. Take small moments to check in with yourself. What do you need? A short walk? A deep breath? Saying no to one more event? Modeling emotional care shows your child that self-regulation is something we all practice—at every age. You deserve the same kindness and calm you offer your child. Final Thoughts: The holidays aren’t about perfection. They’re about connection. When you prioritize emotional regulation, you help your child enjoy the season more fully—and you create a home environment where joy, gratitude, and calm can shine through.
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Managing Boundaries Around the Holidays
By Jamie Schrager, PsyD The holiday season can be filled with excitement, tradition, and opportunities to connect. But, between family expectations, packed schedules, and children’s heightened emotions, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why boundaries are so important at this time of year. Boundaries are not walls as much as they are guideposts that help families prioritize and protect what matters most. They create space for rest, connection, and joy, and give kids clear signals about what’s important. Here are some ways your family can practice healthy boundaries this season: 1. Choose your “must-dos”: Sit down as a family and decide which of the 2–3 holiday activities matter most to you. Maybe it’s baking cookies, attending a special event, or watching a favorite movie. Prioritize those, and give yourself permission to say no to the rest. Kids feel secure when they see adults modeling that not everything can fit, and that’s okay. 2. Protect downtime: Holiday calendars fill quickly, but children (and adults!) need breaks to recharge. Mark off downtime on the calendar, just like you would a party or event. Protecting rest helps prevent meltdowns, overstimulation, and burnout. 3. Practice saying no (together): Role-play with your kids how to kindly decline invitations or requests. For example, “Thank you so much for inviting us! We’d love to, but we’re keeping this weekend low-key.” Kids learn from watching how you handle limits with kindness and confidence. 4. Honor individual needs: Some children thrive in large gatherings, while others need quiet breaks. Make a plan ahead of time: bring headphones, identify a quiet space, or set time limits for social events. Remind kids it’s okay to step away and recharge. 5. Keep routines steady (when you can): Bedtimes, meals, and daily rituals are anchors. Even when schedules get busy, keeping a few consistent routines can help children feel grounded during an exciting and sometimes overwhelming season. The holidays are not about doing everything — they’re about doing what matters most. By setting boundaries with warmth and clarity, families can create holidays that feel joyful, connected, and calm.
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Teaching Kids to Listen to their Bodies
Emily Humphries, OTD, OTR/L Growing up, I remember focusing a lot of my brain energy on foods I couldn’t have. “Unhealthy”, “bad”, “processed”, foods. Hearing these labels only made me want them more. It wasn’t until I earned my doctorate in occupational therapy that I understood why; restricted foods are highly desirable to kids. So how can we teach kids to enjoy food without hyper-focusing on sweets? We can re-write the narrative to teach kids that food is fuel for their bodies. Ultimately, we want kids to be able to listen to cues from their bodies to know when, and what, to eat. Every parent knows that as we welcome fall, we are looking ahead to an oversupply of candy. I have twin three year olds, so I’m right there with you. The influx of candy-fueled toddler events has already begun! Instead of spending the month in a constant power struggle over it, how can we help kids enjoy candy…..without a power struggle? Grown-ups set the menu As the grown-up, I decide what is on the menu at each meal. My kids get to decide what they eat from the menu. Adding candy to the menu at some meals can help make the candy less desirable, because kids know it’s available. When we serve a meal, we can say something neutral like “tonight, we’re having chicken, green beans and candy.” Keeping it neutral teaches kids that candy is just another type of food. Try to Skip Negativity Kids are learning how to fuel their body, and how to respect cues from their body that they are done eating. Mistakes are a part of the learning process! If kids get a belly ache from eating too much candy, try to avoid letting shame creep in. If your little one complains of a sugar-fueled stomachache, saying something neutral can help them learn their body’s boundaries. “You ate ten pieces of candy and now your belly hurts, hmm.” Instead of “I knew you would get sick from all that candy!” Kids are learning for the first time how different foods can make their body feel. Keep it fun & mindful It’s okay to enjoy candy with your kids. In fact, enjoying candy together is a great way to model mindful eating. When you eat a bite of candy, start a discussion about the color, texture and flavor. Take turns trying and comparing the taste of different chocolate bars, or have a taste test and rank your favorites. These are all great ways to encourage mindfulness during mealtimes, which can help kids learn to enjoy candy in moderation. Avoid using candy as a motivator Anything that we introduce as a reward immediately becomes more valuable. When we’re talking about candy, this can actually fuel the power struggles we’re hoping to avoid. Try to think of sweets as just another menu item, sometimes on the menu and sometimes off of the menu. (Just like we don’t serve spinach at every meal, we don’t serve candy at every meal!) Learning how to listen to cues from your body is an important skill for kids, and not just for knowing when and how much to eat. Kids are also working on learning how different emotions feel in their bodies, to be able to recognize and respond to them. Knowing what “mad” feels like can help kids respond appropriately when they feel mad, before escalating into a negative behavior. This Fall, we’re launching a NEW book set to help kids draw these important connections to how their emotions feel in their bodies.
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Supporting Little Kids Through Big Changes
By Eli Mast, LMFT Guiding a child through big change isn’t about making it easy — it’s about making it safe. Change can be exciting, but it often brings big feelings, such as fear, uncertainty, or frustration. As adults, we spend a lot of time in the logical part of our brain, the prefrontal cortex, which helps us problem-solve. But the part of the brain that handles emotions — the amygdala — is small, reactive, and hard to control, especially for young children. When change disrupts what they expect, kids don’t need quick solutions. They need safety, connection, and time to adjust. As a mother of twin toddlers, I see firsthand how change affects each of my girls differently. One of them walks into Costco waving at every person she sees. The other won’t say a word until we’re in line to check out. Both are brave in their own ways. And no matter how much early childhood mental health training I have, my kids still have big feelings, especially when something new or unexpected happens. Real Life Doesn’t Pause for Smooth Transitions As I was preparing to write about change, our own family was right in the middle of it. My husband and I had new work schedules. Wake-up times shifted. Our bedtime routine wasn’t clicking. Then came something we were actually looking forward to — my daughters’ first dance recital. We had been taking ballet and tap for five months and decided to let the girls participate in a recital showcase. We wanted to introduce them to the experience of being onstage, not for performance perfection, but for the chance to try something new and fun. But that kind of event comes with a lot of novelty: a new location, new people, a backstage full of noise and activity, and an excited audience. Every week at class, I talked about how we’d be dancing on stage, and how Grandma and Papa would be there. I wanted to help them feel prepared, not surprised. We had a rehearsal a few days before the performance and I thought of it as the perfect chance to show them what it all might look and feel like. But life happened. I had to fly to Arkansas unexpectedly to be with my dad in the hospital, and I missed the rehearsal. My sister stepped in, but she didn’t have the same relationship with my girls, especially Lana, who is slower to warm in new situations. Lana cried most of the time. She told my sister “No, Titi, no.” Out of nine dances, she stood on stage for just two. But more than anything, she looked scared. She didn’t feel safe — and I wasn’t there to co-regulate with her, to be her anchor in a sea of change. Helping Kids Feel Safe in New Environments When I got home, I knew I wanted to give Lana another shot at the performance — not to push her, but to rebuild her sense of safety. For kids, feeling safe isn’t just about physical security. It’s about relationships. It’s about being understood and supported through the unknown. We talked about her experience. We named the feelings: scared, sad, overwhelmed. We didn’t try to make them go away — we gave them space. Then we started talking about bravery. We read our Benny the Brave story and talked about what it means to do something new even when you’re nervous. We named moments when Lana had already been brave — like jumping off a curb or holding a rolly polly bug. I introduced her to the Brave Badge, and gave her the choice to use it whenever she needed a little courage. Over the next two days, the girls picked badges for all kinds of feelings: Brave, Calm, Grit, Kind. Sometimes it matched the moment, sometimes it was just about which color or character they liked. Either way, they were choosing ways to feel safe, and build readiness for what was coming. The Day of the Recital This time, I was backstage. Our goal was simple: keep it stress-free. That meant slowing down, checking in emotionally, and making sure Lana had what she needed to feel grounded. We weren’t the most efficient — we took our time getting dressed, walked ourselves up the stage steps, and skipped any rushed cues. I helped with their shoes instead of letting someone else do it. We walked off the stage a few times when we felt done, but we went on stage every time. We waved at Grandma and Papa. We danced sometimes. And we felt brave and safe. She transformed that first experience — the one full of fear and stress — into something safe and joyful. And now, “Lana Brave” is something we hear often. When she shares a toy with Lucy. When she high-fives her new soccer coach, because we are taking a break from dance. Or when she sits on a carousel horse instead of the bench. Change Will Keep Coming Whether it’s a new sibling, a new school, a different routine, or just trying something unfamiliar, change will always be a part of our children’s lives. And it will almost always come with big feelings — excited ones, scared ones, and everything in between. The goal isn’t to make change easy. It’s to make it feel safe enough to explore. When we give kids the language to name their feelings, the tools to navigate them, and the support of someone who understands, they don’t just survive change — they grow from it. Because being brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared.It means you show up anyway, with someone who believes in you.
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