Calming Cat

Calming Cat

Our mental health and wellbeing programme, helps children to talk about their feelings, thoughts and behaviours, as well as offering coping strategies. The engaging, huggable, tactile cat can help to facilitate conversations and can also be used as a worry aid.

Developed by an Educational Psychologist, Calming Cat and its content are designed for any child or young person, who needs to learn about their bodies reaction to feelings and how to manage them. Can be used in one to one sessions or as a whole class resource.

Contains over 140 coaching cards, giving insight, advice and activities to develop knowledge, skills and understanding, an example of them can be downloaded from our website. The appealing cat design has soft, soothing fur and a weighted body making it calming to hold. There is a tummy pocket that can be used for a personal comforting object or for a child to put a worry or concern. The openings at the side are great for little hands to cuddle the cat. Its multi-sensory materials will help keep children stimulated and calm. Perfect for younger children as a worry buddy for sharing feelings and worries. Can be used during an adult and child discussion as a comfortable communication medium for children. The calming cat worry toy is available to be purchased separately. Wipe clean with a damp cloth or antibacterial wipes.

The different coloured coaching cards will help address a variety of feelings, as well as giving greater understanding of the physiological causes and effects of emotions: Green – Knowledge – About our bodies and how we respond, Blue – Skills – Effective strategies to add to a personal resources bank, Pink – Fun – Ensure children make time for fun on a regular basis, Yellow – Understanding – Stimulate thoughts and reflection about feelings and behaviours and Grey – Warnings – Reminders to recognise when worries might be starting to appear. Written by Paula Williams from Psychology 4 Learning. Paula is a Senior Educational Psychologist and teacher with more than 20 years’ experience of helping children.