#150 Helping Kids Navigate Big Emotions with Calm, Connection, and Compassion with Sarah Habib

This week, we're bringing you an encore episode featuring Sarah Habib, founder of The Calm Caterpillar — and it's one worth revisiting. Sarah's work has made a powerful impact on classrooms and families across the country, helping children (both neurodivergent and neurotypical) learn to regulate big emotions with simple, practical tools. In our conversation, Sarah shares how her calm corner kits, sensory supports, and breathing tools have transformed daily routines, reduced classroom disruptions, and created emotionally supportive spaces where kids can thrive. You'll also hear the incredible story of her work in Uvalde, Texas, and how she supported guidance counselors in building trauma-informed calm spaces for students. Whether you missed this episode the first time or you're listening again to soak up more ideas, this encore is filled with actionable, compassionate strategies for creating neurodiversity-affirming environments. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1kzqoTm_XGM Key Takeaways Emotional regulation is a teachable skill, especially when tools are introduced during calm moments. Consistency between home and school boosts success, as seen with the calm corner kits launched during the pandemic. Sensory-rich tools like weighted plushes and tactile breathing aids help children connect with their bodies and calm their nervous systems. Co-regulation from adults comes first — modeling calm responses helps children learn what regulation looks and feels like. Buddy Breathing is an accessible, no-material strategy that supports both neurotypical and neurodivergent children. Calm corners in classrooms empower kids to self-regulate and build independence. Understanding ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) is crucial for supporting emotional well-being. The Uvalde initiative highlights the power of community care and trauma-informed support. Schoolwide implementation works — The Calm Caterpillar program now serves students ages 2–18 across 45+ schools. Collaboration with educators and caregivers creates sustainable emotional support systems for children. This week, we're bringing you an encore episode featuring Sarah Habib, founder of The Calm Caterpillar — and it's one worth revisiting. Sarah's work has made a powerful impact on classrooms and families across the country, helping children (both neurodivergent and neurotypical) learn to regulate big emotions with simple, practical tools. In our conversation, Sarah shares how her calm corner kits, sensory supports, and breathing tools have transformed daily routines, reduced classroom disruptions, and created emotionally supportive spaces where kids can thrive. You'll also hear the incredible story of her work in Uvalde, Texas, and how she supported guidance counselors in building trauma-informed calm spaces for students. Whether you missed this episode the first time or you're listening again to soak up more ideas, this encore is filled with actionable, compassionate strategies for creating neurodiversity-affirming environments. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1kzqoTm_XGM Connect With Sarah: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thecalmcaterpillar/?hl=en Website: thecalmcaterpillar.com Email: [email protected] Resources Mentioned: ACES info: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/about.html ACES info: https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/health-encyclopedia/he.understanding-how-adverse-childhood-experiences-aces-can-affect-children.acm1499 The Calm Caterpillar products: https://thecalmcaterpillar.com/collections/shop-all   Related Supports from Autism Little Learners: Visual Support Starter Set Visual Supports Facebook Group Autism Little Learners on Instagram Autism Little Learners on Facebook