Katie's Little Bears | emotional regulation resources for children

Supporting parents with gentle tools

Providing resources for emotional development in children and young people.

About Me:

Hi, I’m Katie 👋 I’m a mum, a certified play therapist, and the heart behind Katie’s Little Bears. What started as a small playgroup has grown into a space for parents to find gentle support and practical tools for navigating the big emotions of childhood. Through printables, calming strategies, and playful resources, I hope to make parenting feel just a little lighter, while helping children feel truly understood. Most days you’ll find me with a cup of tea, designing new bear-inspired ideas while juggling life as a mum. I know first-hand how overwhelming parenthood can feel, and I created Katie’s Little Bears to be a calm, reassuring corner for families everywhere.

Our Mission:

At Katie’s Little Bears, our mission is to support parents and children through the world of emotions with warmth and simplicity.

We believe:
🌿 Every feeling deserves to be seen and understood
🧸 Gentle, playful strategies can make big challenges feel lighter
💛 Parents deserve tools that are practical, accessible, and supportive in busy family life

Through our resources and reminders, we aim to bring calm, connection, and confidence to families, one small step (and one little bear) at a time.

Gentle tools for big feelings

Explore our gentle tools designed to help little bears navigate big feelings. From printable emotion cards to calm-down prompts, each resource is made with warmth and care.

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Happy international women’s day 2026 🤎

#internationalwomensday #mums #motherhood #support

February Half term complete!

How is everyone feeling about their half term break? Let me know in the comment or DM 🥰

#halfterm #parentguilt #littlebears

Half terms bring such a pressure for parents to do so much. We feel we need to fill our little bears time with activities and days out. Often, they just want us to be completely present. They want us to be silly, lose ourselves and ignore some of the boring mundane things like housework.

Social media hasn’t helped us at all with this either. In that moment of guilt, we are often met with a picture perfect day from a family on instagram.

Do what you need as a family this half term! Remember it’s about connection and rest. Not expensive days out 🤎

#mumguilt #halfterm #childregulation #play #gentleweek

A little bit about me for New Year’s Day 🥰

This year I will be offering Play Therapy, parent consultations and for other professionals… creative supervision 😁 everything will be on my website within the next few days!

#aboutme #katieslittlebears #playtherapist #mum #supervisor

Merry Christmas to you all 🥰

I hope you all have a beautiful day with your families and get some time to relax too!

Remember, we can all feel overwhelmed. Little bears. Big bears. If you need to pause and do something non Christmassy to get regulated again… that’s okay!

Do what you need! Not what you think you should do!

Lots of love and hugs to you all 😁 I will see you all in a few days 🥰🤎🎅🏻🤶🏻☃️❄️🧑🏻‍🎄🎄

This year asked a lot of me… and I know for a fact I’m not the only one entering the new year feeling the same.

I’m sharing this because so many parents I work with are carrying similar stories. Loss, change, uncertainty… all quietly.

You don’t have to tie this year up neatly.

Katie’s Little Bears will always be a place where slower seasons are allowed 🤎

If plans fall apart, naps run late, or emotions bubble over… you’re not failing the weekend.

Many children need time to decompress after holding it together all week.

Rest, connection, and low demands are often exactly what their nervous systems need.

You don’t need to make the weekend productive 🧸

#gentleweekend #childregulation #playtherapy #gentleparenting #katieslittlebears

Christmas doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.
For some children, this season is a lot… more noise, more change, more feelings.
They don’t need more from you. Just you 🤍

#GentleParenting #BigFeelings #ChristmasWithKids #EmotionallySafe #PlayTherapy

Every child has big feelings. Some learn to hide them, others learn it’s safe to express them. Play and connection can help children find their voice… and that’s at the heart of everything I do as a play therapist. 🤎

#playtherapy #childhoodemotions #parentingtips #emotionalwellbeing #supportingchildren

I don’t limit screen time… and I don’t stress about it 💛

Some children thrive with a little TV or a game now and then, and others find screens tricky. It’s all about knowing your Little Bear and what works for them.
I say this as a mum and therapist who is seeing this constant guilting on here of parents who allow any screens. We all have different balances at home and we need to thrive in what we are in, not the lives of others.

Some find it a lifeline. Some are just casual like we are and some will find it causes disruption! Learn your little bear and fit in what works for you 🤎

We also have a massive TV as lovers of losing ourselves in it 👀 so to tell my little bear TV is banned or limited would feel incredibly hypocritical 😅

#LittleBears #ParentLife #PlayTherapyTips #BigFeelings #MindfulParenting #ScreenTimeBalance

A little reminder as we head into the Christmas countdown… 🎄❤️
Using Santa as a threat can feel tempting when everything is busy and emotions are high.
But it often creates more stress for little ones and more tricky behaviour for us.

Gentle swaps help kids feel safe, connected and able to cope.
And that’s the real Christmas magic. ✨

If you try these, let me know how it goes! I love hearing your little wins. 💛

#gentleparentingtips #christmaswithkids #bigfeelings #parentingsupport #playtherapytools #katieandherlittlebears

The holidays can feel huge for little ones—so many sights, sounds, and feelings all at once. 🎄
Swipe through for gentle ways to help children feel calm, safe, and understood during big emotions—this Christmas and beyond. 💛

✨ Save this for when your little one needs a calm moment.
💌 Share with a parent who could use a little support today.
🤎 Don’t forget the printable tools to support emotions. Link in bio

#LittleBearBigFeelings #PlayTherapyForKids #ParentingSupport #ChristmasWithKids #EmotionalWellbeing #MindfulParenting #CalmKids

Christmas turns kids’ worlds upside down! Different routines, late nights, sparkly lights, extra noise, unfamiliar people.
So if your little one is clingier, quicker to tears, or struggling with “little things”… that’s not bad behaviour.
That’s a tiny nervous system doing its best in a very big season.
Love them through it. They’re not giving you a hard time, they’re having a hard time.

#christmaswithlittlebears #playtherapist #feelingsareokay #gentleparentinguk

Christmas is magical… but it’s also a lot for little nervous systems.
More noise, more people, more changes, more excitement — their bodies feel it all.
So if your little one is clingier, louder, tearful or melting down more right now… nothing is wrong.
They’re not being “naughty”.
They’re overwhelmed.

Small pauses, quiet corners, slower moments and lowered expectations really do help.
And you’re doing better than you think 💛

Save this for the Christmas wobbles ✨

#gentleparenting #christmas2024 #parentingreels #mumlifeuk #toddlerbehaviour #parentingtips #playtherapist #emotionalregulation #littleones #christmaswithkids

If Christmas already feels heavy… you’re not the only one.
Everywhere we look it’s activities, crafts, outings, perfect homes, perfect trees — and suddenly it feels like whatever we’re doing just isn’t enough.

But here’s the truth:
Children don’t need big or busy to feel the magic.
They need you — calm, present, and not burnt out.

Simple is still special.
Small moments still matter.
And you’re already doing enough 🤍

✨ Save this if you need the reminder
✨ Share with a parent friend who might be feeling it too

christmaspressure #christmaswithkids #parentingtruths #gentleparentinguk #playtherapist #realparenting #childhoodmagic #mindfulparenting #overwhelmedparents #katieslittlebears

Some days feel heavier than others.
Not because you’re doing anything wrong —
but because you’re human, and parenting asks so much of you.

If today was “a lot,” you’re not alone.
You showed up. You cared. You tried.
And that really is enough. 💛

How was your day?

#gentleparenting #parentingwithconnection #parentingtools #emotionalregulationforkids #parentinghelp #playtherapist #mumlifeuk #katieslittlebears

When kids “act out”, they’re not being difficult…
they’re communicating.

Clinginess, whining, shouting, tears…these are all signs their little nervous system is struggling, and they’re reaching out to us the only way they can in that moment.

You’re not doing anything wrong.
Your child isn’t doing anything wrong.
This is communication, not bad behaviour. 💛

If this is something you’ve noticed in your little one, you’re not alone, and there are ways to support them gently.

Need support with your child’s big feelings? I offer gentle written parenting consultations… details are on my page 💛

✨ Save this so you can come back to it later.

#playtherapy #gentleparenting #parentingtipsuk #childdevelopment #emotioncoaching
#regulationtools #parentinghelp #bigfeelings #tantrumsupport #connectionoverperfection
#katiemumma #katieslittlebears #parentingmindset #neuroaffirmingparenting

What you see after school isn’t “testing you.”
It’s the After School Crash — their body finally relaxing with their safest person.

🧸 What helps? A 10-minute Landing Window:
• Slow
• Snack
• Cuddle
• Quiet play
• No questions yet

Let their nervous system land before you expect anything of them.
You’re not doing anything wrong — this is incredibly common.

#gentleparentingtools
#parentingtipsuk
#nervoussystemregulation
#childdevelopment
#raisingkidsuk
#ukmums
#mumlifeuk
#calmparenting
#earlyyearsparenting
#littlebearwisdom

My cosy new space for parents + little bears is live 🧡
A calm corner filled with gentle, playful tools to help you feel supported through the big feelings.
Take a peek around! I’d love to know what you think! 🥰

[link in bio] ✨

#KatiesLittleBears
#ParentSupport
#GentleParenting
#PlayfulParenting
#ParentingTools
#ParentingTipsUK
#ParentConsultations
#ParentCoach
#PlayTherapyInspired
#BigFeelingsLittlePeople

A cosy new home for Katie’s Little Bears is officially open ✨

My new website! A calm little corner for parents and their little bears… is now live 💛

Inside, you’ll find:
💬 Parent Consultations (now open!)
💛 Gentle resources for emotions
🌿 Free printables to support connection and calm

Take a peek at katieslittlebears.co.uk 🤎 I’d love to know what you think 🧸

Katie x

#katieslittlebears #newwebsite #parentconsultations #playtherapist #gentleparenting #emotionalregulation #mumlife

A calm new way to support big bears… 🧸

Gentle, written consultations to help you find clarity and confidence, in your own time.

I’ve poured so much thought into this — creating a kind, pressure-free way for parents to feel supported through the tricky moments of everyday life.

I’ll share more tomorrow about how it works (and why I chose to offer written consultations) 💛

#thebearway #gentleparenting #katieslittlebearsparentconsultations #parentingsupport #writtenconsultation #calmparenting #playtherapist #bigbearsupport #mindfulparenting #emotionalwellbeing #parentingtips #katieslittlebears

A cosy new space is almost ready to open its doors 🧸

Created with busy parents in mind — gentle, practical and filled with warmth.

A new home for Katie’s Little Bears is coming…
This Thursday 🤎

#katieslittlebears #gentleparenting #parentingtips #mumlife #parentingsupport #childdevelopment #playtherapy #parentingtools #calmparenting #smallbusinessuk #newwebsite

✨ Did you know…?
All of my Katie’s Little Bears resources are instant downloads 🧸💻
That means no waiting around for the post – you can print and use them today!

Perfect for busy parents who need something quick, easy, and supportive 💛

And the best bit? 👉 There’s lots more coming soon, so keep an eye out for new resources to support you and your little ones.

Tap the link in my bio to explore the shop 🐻✨

#parentingtips #playfulparenting #instantdownload #etsymum #katieʹslittlebears

✨ Big news ✨

I’ve been working on something very special… a full set of “When I feel…” cards 🧸💛

These gentle, child-friendly cards are designed to help little bears manage big feelings — whether they’re sad, angry, worried, tired, excited or scared.

👉 The full set will be available very soon — I can’t wait to share them with you!

Which feeling do you think your little one would pick first?

🐻 These will be available as printables first, so you can have them instantly at home, and I’d love to explore physical packs in the future too!

#bigfeelings #parentinghacks #playtherapy #calmkids #parentingtips #emotionalregulation #mindfulkids #kinderparenting #raisingresilientkids #katieslittlebears

Thursday can feel long — so close to the weekend, but not quite there yet 💛

If this week has felt heavy, you’re not alone. Sometimes it’s the little things — a quiet moment, a giggle with your little one, or even a hot cup of tea — that carry us through 🐻✨

What’s been helping you this week?

#KatieLittleBears #GentleParenting #ParentingSupport #ParentingJourney #MindfulParenting #PlayTherapyInspired #ParentingCommunity #ParentingTipsUK #ParentingLife #EmotionalWellbeing #ParentingEncouragement #ParentSupport

It’s not just about the behaviour — it’s about what’s underneath it.
When we pause to notice the feeling and meet the need, that’s when the real connection happens.

💛 What’s one behaviour your child showed this week… and what do you think was behind it?

👇 Comment below or save this reminder for those tougher moments.

🧸 #gentleparenting #parentingquote #emotionallyintelligentparenting #earlyyears #littlebearstherapy

🧸 What would you love to see in a Little Bears resource?
I’m busy creating new playful tools to help children with big feelings, and I’d love your input.

💬 Is there a specific emotion your little one struggles with?
🎯 A situation you wish you had more support for?
📦 Something you’d like in digital or physical form?

Drop your ideas below — your feedback helps shape what I make 💛
Let’s create something truly useful for families and little ones together.

#katiesLittleBearsPlay #EmotionalDevelopment #ParentInputMatters #PlayfulParenting #CreatedWithCare

Say hello to some very expressive little faces 👋🧡

The first Little Bears printables are now live on Etsy — made to help children explore emotions through colour, conversation, and play.

This is just the beginning… I’ve got more playful tools and gentle support coming soon, so stay tuned!

➡️ Take a peek at what’s live so far via the link in bio

I’d love to know your fave — and what you’d love to see next!

#littlebearstherapy #etsylaunch #emotioncardsforkids #printablesforparents #earlyyearsresources #feelingsmatter #playfulparenting

✨ We’re live!
Katie’s Little Bears is officially open—and I’m so excited (and a little bit wobbly) to finally share it with you.

I’ve started to create a small collection of printable resources to support little ones with big feelings—and help you feel more calm and connected along the way.

It’s simple, gentle, and just the beginning.
You’ll find emotion cards, a feelings wheel, and a zones of regulation freebie—available now via the link in bio 💛

Thank you for being here, and for supporting something small that means something big.

Available now via the link in bio 💛

#KatiesLittleBearsLaunch #PrintableParentSupport #PlayfulParenting #EmotionalRegulation #CalmToolsForKids

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@katieslittlebears

Supporting parents with gentle tools

About Me:

Gentle tools for big feelings

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